Posted by Rich Vincent on March 30, 2002 at 00:03:14:
In Reply to: Re: Split Decision, Steve's weakest effort yet. posted by John on March 29, 2002 at 22:51:37:
: It's weird to me why a 'HUGE fan' of 19-20 years would write such a long review that essentially trashes the album and leads you to believe that Steve is slacking off.
Why is that weird? When I'm disappointed I tell it like it is.
: I have every single Dregs/SMB/DP/Kansas album that Steve plays on, and most of his guest appearances, and I tend to agree with him when he says Clear Memories "has a feeling that I've never recorded before". You appear to appreciate High Tension Wires, but when a tune on his new CD sounds like it belongs on HTW, you complain.
I didn't complain about the tunes that I thought were strong. I was making the point that Steve has apparently forgotten what he wrote 10 years ago.
: How could a HUGE fan say...
: "Apparently Steve has entirely forgotten what it's like to have written cool music"
How could someone intellectual even ASK such a question?
Why am I (a TRULY huge steve morse fan, not just an apologist) not allowed to speak my mind?
: I think a lot of his fans disagree.
And a lot of his fans agree, as well.
: I think Steve is one of the hardest working guitarists out there, and I believe that down to his core, he is always trying to write something different and interesting. If anything, I think people probably are spoiled by the constant variety of music he puts out, and how unique each and every album he produces is.
He's a hard working guitarist? What does that mean? He has an 8-hour/day, job? I'm a hard working guitarist by THAT standard.
OF COURSE HE'S HARD WORKING. But who cares? If the result of his efforts are boring 4/4 rock and roll, I'd rather he be lazy and just release nothing.
: I don't drool over every solo and song, but I see no reason to focus on picking apart the weaker parts or the things I don't like. Why not talk about the good things instead?
Because I choose not to. It's a free country.
: If there is anything I've learned reading articles about Steve is that he rarely, if ever, has bad things to say about other performers. Don't you think you could afford him the same courtesy?
Yes, of course. I'm OK, you're OK, and we're ALL OK. Everything is good and NOTHING is EVER bad. After all, he IS putting something out into the universe. Then again, so did Chernobyl.
: And this is not meant to be a flame. After all, it's only my review of your review.
That's fine. I don't fear critical words. I am able to defend myself.
Rich...