Ok, here we go.
I don't frequent the Songs forum as much as I used to. Like James, I used to love hanging around in there just listening to as many of the tunes as I could. If I thought I could help someone, I'd chip in with a few helpful comments. In any case, I'd try and say something encouraging and friendly.
To me, one of the real joys of the place was getting to listen to all the styles and genres of music I wouldn't normally listen to.
As a contributor, it's always been nice to receive the odd plaudit, especially when some of those comments have been made by guys and gals I really respect as performers, songwriters, engineers and producers. I was always amazed by the sheer amount of top-drawer advice always on tap in there, advice that was always given freely and in a friendly manner.
There have been a few factors over the past couple of years that have gradually seen me spending less and less time in there.
I've certainly had my moments with Robby and Shad at various times (who hasn't?), but those skirmishes were soon put behind us, and I'm on pretty good terms with those guys now.
What has really driven me away, and I'll be completely honest here, is the on-going presence of the likes of James (Night Fox) and Bobby (and whatever name he's using this week). In particular (as James Yoyo alluded to above), I just cannot put up with their pathetic and childish attitude. And to be brutally honest, the way some of the guys over there tread on egg-shells around them is quite nauseating.
Let me get this straight - this is definitely nothing to do with the fact that their music is, in the main, monotonous, generic half-baked rubbish (and poorly recorded/produced rubbish at that) that irks me so. Far from it - we all had to start somewhere. No, what winds me up something rotten is their piss-poor attitude and spoilt brat toys-out-of-the-pram reaction to any perceived criticism of their tunes.
As I mention above, that wonderful advice on offer in the Songs forum has been lavished in spades on guys like Bobby and Night Fox. As far as I can remember, all of that advice was friendly and any criticism always constructive. But no matter how helpful, you can guarantee that those helpful words will get thrown straight back in your face.
And again, let's be honest, their continued refusal to take on board any of the help they've been given is why their god-awful music
still sounds like they've just started out in the world of digital audio.
When I first started posting the odd song in there, like most 'normal' guys who wanted to actually improve, I'd actively seek and welcome any help, advice and criticism. And I'd read those posts over and over, and try out everything I thought could help. I was like a sponge, soaking up as much knowledge and technique as I could. If my songs still suck, it's not for want of trying.
And don't get me wrong, I know encouragement is good, and some people just don't want to upset the pair of them, but if you read some of the comments their music attracts, you'd think people were commenting on the feckin' Beatles for fecks sake. I've read these inexplicably sycophantic comments and I'm sat here wondering if I've been listening to the same feckin' song. I'll admit, I've done it myself to a certain extent in an attempt to be friendly and helpful, but I just can't be bothering with that sh
1te any more.
And that's why I steer clear of the place I guess. Their attitude and the crap that surrounds them just stinks the whole place up in my opinion.
Robby's had his moments for sure, but Robby's got one thing that loathsome pair will never have as long as they've got a hole in their arse, and that's
passion. Oh, and talent. Give me Robby every time.
I still pop in now and again, and always try to catch up on my friends' songs, but I don't feel comfortable just hanging around in there like I used to.
Sad really.