look...this is what it boils down to for me...since you indeed brought my name up several times in the thread itself.
It may SEEM like i just slag on bands that i just simply dont like for no reason. but it REALLY isnt that simple. I really only have ONE main criteria when judging a band, and thats "DO THEY DO SOMETHING NEW OR INTERESTING!?" if they dont...theyre probably like orphaned land or symphony X, where they have quite a bit of talent, but i couldnt find the time in the day to try and listen to something i can hear elsewhere better or something more interesting all together instead. If they DONT do something new...then i can examine if they do something extremely well that appeals to my tastes in general. This is where my personal biases will come in, however i still stand by them, because i feel my taste is extremely broad and refined. Thats how i can listen to some great bands which do what they do extremely well, without the band having to be 100% original. Even NFU needs some variety afterall....
Anyway, if you need to dissect so many parts like musicianship, atmosphere, "prog" influences as so many of you think you understand what that even means, and lyrics, yada yada...then in my opinion youre trying too hard with the few options youre giving yourself. Theres FAR too many bands/artists out there who are amazing and unique within the first 30 seconds that you shouldnt have to pick them apart at all to know youre listening to something special. A very small grouping of these kind of bands can be found in the "NFU RECOMMEND SOME MUSIC" thread. Its not some secret...im not better at this than anyone else...i just spend my time wisely. Ive been researching bands, listening to demos, collecting records, and taken an active part in several music scenes for a while now...the information is at your fingertips...just dont be lazy. If ONLY the internet had been as vast in its array of information 7 years ago for me as it is now, so you really have no excuses people.
and for what its worth (and if i can bring myself to care more depending on the band), ill try to be a little more expressive and thorough with my own reviews and thoughts on the bands i comment on...if its more helpful that way. Youll just have to excuse (or deal with) my opinions on bands like say...orphaned land who i just have no tolerance for considering i STILL cannot figure out why anyone would want to sit and listen to that in the first place. Here will be my personal grading chart...
5 - Fantastic...go buy!
4 - Decent...look into.
3 - Just ok...must love this style.
2 - Not enough time in the day...stop.
1 - Awful...delete or throw out now!