Comments on: Peter Murphy @ the Ogden Theatre http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/ Denver Music Blog. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:40:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: luca http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/#comment-723 luca Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:08:36 +0000 http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/#comment-723 All, I think Alex presents a reasonable review of the concert. I saw Peter in Kansas City this past Sunday. I thought Peter was amazing, but my "date" (who is not into Peter as much) did not. I can see why my bias towards Peter influenced my opinion. After all, we are one of those couples who hired a babysitter for a "hot night" out. As an aside, I also observed numerous pudgy, old goths, wearing too much makeup. Peter has always been in my top 5 and is a must see, in my humble opinion. He seemed a bit tired to me as well, but his Voice was amazing and the concert was thoroughly enjoyable. Listening to Peter takes me back to high school, but he is not solely a nostalgia artist. His music and lyrics were, and are, still relevant. His new music, whether Bauhaus or solo, remains of high quality. He IS a must see. Luca All,
I think Alex presents a reasonable review of the concert. I saw Peter in Kansas City this past Sunday. I thought Peter was amazing, but my “date” (who is not into Peter as much) did not. I can see why my bias towards Peter influenced my opinion. After all, we are one of those couples who hired a babysitter for a “hot night” out. As an aside, I also observed numerous pudgy, old goths, wearing too much makeup.

Peter has always been in my top 5 and is a must see, in my humble opinion. He seemed a bit tired to me as well, but his Voice was amazing and the concert was thoroughly enjoyable. Listening to Peter takes me back to high school, but he is not solely a nostalgia artist. His music and lyrics were, and are, still relevant. His new music, whether Bauhaus or solo, remains of high quality. He IS a must see.

Luca

]]> By: Lori http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/#comment-722 Lori Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:09:21 +0000 http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/#comment-722 Ricardo, I hear what you are saying. Trust me, I do. Of course the review is going to be the critics personal take on the show, I don't expect anything less. I've been to many a show where I have read the reverb review and I did not 100% agree with the review and I'm fine with that. I felt this review was not at all in the ballpark, so I spoke up. Maybe if young Alex would have initially informed the reader she doesn't like Peter Murphy's solo work, I might have understood her take on the evening. I quote from a posting of Alex's elsewhere on the internet "Peter Murphy's solo stuff sucks" -- so apparently you gave her an assignment in which she disliked the artist. I am a fan of Peter Murphy's, but I am intelligent enough to know when to give praise and when not to. I am not so blind as to "fawn unconditional love all over the place", just because I am a fan. Give me a break! (and give your readers a little credit!) Ricardo, I hear what you are saying. Trust me, I do. Of course the review is going to be the critics personal take on the show, I don’t expect anything less. I’ve been to many a show where I have read the reverb review and I did not 100% agree with the review and I’m fine with that. I felt this review was not at all in the ballpark, so I spoke up.

Maybe if young Alex would have initially informed the reader she doesn’t like Peter Murphy’s solo work, I might have understood her take on the evening. I quote from a posting of Alex’s elsewhere on the internet “Peter Murphy’s solo stuff sucks” — so apparently you gave her an assignment in which she disliked the artist.

I am a fan of Peter Murphy’s, but I am intelligent enough to know when to give praise and when not to. I am not so blind as to “fawn unconditional love all over the place”, just because I am a fan. Give me a break! (and give your readers a little credit!)

]]> By: Ricardo Baca http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/#comment-721 Ricardo Baca Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:20:08 +0000 http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/#comment-721 Lori. A critic has to know the music he or she is reviewing, but they don't have to like it. A critic is not a fan, fawning unconditional love all over the place. A critic is there reporting on the quality of the show, and like it or not, a critic brings his or her personal biases to the table. A critic lets a performance speak for itself. A critic leaves him/herself open to being wowed, having his/her mind changed. It happens a lot, in these very pages, too. If I only sent fans to shows - "OK, you love the Eagles, so you review them." and so on - what kind of critical legitimacy/credibility would this site have? That being said, we wouldn't assign someone to review the Eagles if we knew they hated the Eagles. Our writers are music lovers, sure, but more importantly (in this context, at least) they're music critics. Ricardo Baca pop music critic, The Denver Post co-editor, Reverb Lori.
A critic has to know the music he or she is reviewing, but they don’t have to like it. A critic is not a fan, fawning unconditional love all over the place. A critic is there reporting on the quality of the show, and like it or not, a critic brings his or her personal biases to the table. A critic lets a performance speak for itself. A critic leaves him/herself open to being wowed, having his/her mind changed.
It happens a lot, in these very pages, too. If I only sent fans to shows – “OK, you love the Eagles, so you review them.” and so on – what kind of critical legitimacy/credibility would this site have? That being said, we wouldn’t assign someone to review the Eagles if we knew they hated the Eagles.
Our writers are music lovers, sure, but more importantly (in this context, at least) they’re music critics.
Ricardo Baca
pop music critic, The Denver Post
co-editor, Reverb

]]> By: Lori http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/#comment-720 Lori Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:07:45 +0000 http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/#comment-720 I agree... you don't have to be a superfan to do a review, but I do believe you have to like the music you are reviewing. Afterall, these are Alex's exact words, "even after having given his solo stuff a listen before, I was disappointed.". Maybe if Alex's initial review was more in line w/ the 2nd post, I might have understood a little more the reason for being there, and what she wanted to get out of the evening. I accept the fact that Peter didn't blow everyone away, and that's ok. But, after I read the initial review, I was thinking to myself, "what the heck show was this reviewer at, because it sure wasn't the same show I just witnessed.". For me, the review did not represent the reality of the night. I guess I got a little edgy when the review started off by cracking on Peter's dance style, and then the audience, and then some comment about apes and ticks. But maybe that's how you draw someone in, to continue reading. A little controversy. For the record, I never said I was a Peter Murphy superfan, and in no way do I proclaim to be. However, I did grow up listening to Bauhaus and I think Peter Murphy has a great voice. I do not own any of Peter's solo work, and I've only heard his solo work here and there. So, I really didn't know what to expect going into the show that night. Of course I did not expect to hear Bauhaus songs, those were an added plus. But there is no denying, Peter's voice was amazing. Alex - of course, my opinion is my opinion. And yours is yours. I am glad to know you are a fan of music and happy to know you are out there doing your own thing and not following the crowd. Just remember, so are others and they don't deserve to be poked fun of, even if they do dance a little strange. ;) I agree… you don’t have to be a superfan to do a review, but I do believe you have to like the music you are reviewing. Afterall, these are Alex’s exact words, “even after having given his solo stuff a listen before, I was disappointed.”. Maybe if Alex’s initial review was more in line w/ the 2nd post, I might have understood a little more the reason for being there, and what she wanted to get out of the evening.

I accept the fact that Peter didn’t blow everyone away, and that’s ok. But, after I read the initial review, I was thinking to myself, “what the heck show was this reviewer at, because it sure wasn’t the same show I just witnessed.”. For me, the review did not represent the reality of the night. I guess I got a little edgy when the review started off by cracking on Peter’s dance style, and then the audience, and then some comment about apes and ticks. But maybe that’s how you draw someone in, to continue reading. A little controversy.

For the record, I never said I was a Peter Murphy superfan, and in no way do I proclaim to be. However, I did grow up listening to Bauhaus and I think Peter Murphy has a great voice. I do not own any of Peter’s solo work, and I’ve only heard his solo work here and there. So, I really didn’t know what to expect going into the show that night. Of course I did not expect to hear Bauhaus songs, those were an added plus. But there is no denying, Peter’s voice was amazing.

Alex – of course, my opinion is my opinion. And yours is yours. I am glad to know you are a fan of music and happy to know you are out there doing your own thing and not following the crowd. Just remember, so are others and they don’t deserve to be poked fun of, even if they do dance a little strange. ;)

]]> By: Loren http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/#comment-719 Loren Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:18:02 +0000 http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/#comment-719 When you bash a show prepare for the comment onslaught. I bashed STS9 and there is like 30 comments on that review right now. That was probably the review Guido was referring to. I say bash on! Then again I am a comment whore. When you bash a show prepare for the comment onslaught. I bashed STS9 and there is like 30 comments on that review right now. That was probably the review Guido was referring to. I say bash on! Then again I am a comment whore.

]]> By: Doug Beam http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/#comment-718 Doug Beam Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:50:24 +0000 http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/#comment-718 Thanks, Matt. No pressure now! Thanks, Matt. No pressure now!

]]> By: Guido Sarducci IV http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/#comment-717 Guido Sarducci IV Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:08:44 +0000 http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/#comment-717 Well, Doug pretty much said what I was gonna say, but I'll repeat since I'm here. This is in reply to Lori. I believe that the best person to review a band is someone who isn't that familiar with their work. This way we get an outsiders view. A superfan is most likely gonna go easy on the artist (unless if it's an outrageously bad show). However, the reviewer should necessarily be someone who outright hates the group either, because then they won't give them a shot no matter how good the show is. The best case scenario is this review right here. Alex isn't a superfan, but he's open enough to give it a chance. Now, i wasn't at the concert so I don't know how close to reality this review is, but the review itself seems honest enough. I've read some reviews, right in this publication, that have outright bashed the show. I didn't feel like Alex was guilty of that. Well, Doug pretty much said what I was gonna say, but I’ll repeat since I’m here. This is in reply to Lori. I believe that the best person to review a band is someone who isn’t that familiar with their work. This way we get an outsiders view. A superfan is most likely gonna go easy on the artist (unless if it’s an outrageously bad show). However, the reviewer should necessarily be someone who outright hates the group either, because then they won’t give them a shot no matter how good the show is. The best case scenario is this review right here. Alex isn’t a superfan, but he’s open enough to give it a chance. Now, i wasn’t at the concert so I don’t know how close to reality this review is, but the review itself seems honest enough. I’ve read some reviews, right in this publication, that have outright bashed the show. I didn’t feel like Alex was guilty of that.

]]> By: Matt Schild http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/#comment-716 Matt Schild Tue, 17 Jun 2008 06:18:41 +0000 http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/#comment-716 Doug, iF you blank-page that Tom Waits review, Thor the God of Thunder will smite you. Or smote you. I'm not too up on my tenses for archaic verbs of vengeance, sadly. Doug, iF you blank-page that Tom Waits review, Thor the God of Thunder will smite you. Or smote you. I’m not too up on my tenses for archaic verbs of vengeance, sadly.

]]> By: Doug Beam http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/#comment-715 Doug Beam Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:41:40 +0000 http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/#comment-715 Alex, you young whippersnapper, just write what you feel and don’t apologize or worry about the comments. I just had a different take on it, having grown up listening to his music and having specific mental and emotional imagery associated with those songs and thought I’d share my take on it. Had I walked in off the street with no idea of Peter Murphy or his music, I would’ve probably felt the same way you did. We can’t all be old enough to have seen or heard every band “back in the day”, so you just write your feelings and experiences and don’t worry about pleasing people. What else can you do? Reviewing is critical by nature, and it doesn’t make sense to send a superfan to review each show. In this case though, the photographer was the superfan. I also occasionally write reviews with my photos, and if I worried about the comments I would never get a piece out. Next week I have to review Tom Waits of all people. If I even think about that on any level, I’ll end up with a blank page. Write like you don’t care, and never apologize for not having the same experience the fans did. Alex, you young whippersnapper, just write what you feel and don’t apologize or worry about the comments. I just had a different take on it, having grown up listening to his music and having specific mental and emotional imagery associated with those songs and thought I’d share my take on it. Had I walked in off the street with no idea of Peter Murphy or his music, I would’ve probably felt the same way you did. We can’t all be old enough to have seen or heard every band “back in the day”, so you just write your feelings and experiences and don’t worry about pleasing people. What else can you do? Reviewing is critical by nature, and it doesn’t make sense to send a superfan to review each show. In this case though, the photographer was the superfan. I also occasionally write reviews with my photos, and if I worried about the comments I would never get a piece out. Next week I have to review Tom Waits of all people. If I even think about that on any level, I’ll end up with a blank page. Write like you don’t care, and never apologize for not having the same experience the fans did.

]]> By: glory anna http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/#comment-714 glory anna Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:31:03 +0000 http://www.heyreverb.com/2008/06/13/peter-murphy-the-ogden-theatre/#comment-714 right on alex. right on alex.

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