And Downbythewater, very true, there is a lot of alt-folk rolling around the intraweb these days. Here at TLOBF, we do try and keep a level of variation in our music however, and will continue to do so for the benefit of readers like your fine self. And comments, negative or positive, are always appreciated :). I very much enjoyed your responses!

Take it easy,

Sean

And I do realize there is such a thing as a negative review just as there is such a thing as a negative response to a negative review ;)

To Adam:

As far as I understand Melody is her birth name(second name I think) but way to make such a very educated and enlightened criticism of someone’s work-well done you.

“this review of the Sovereign disc by Melody Klyman reeks of spite” – This review of the Sovereign disc by Melody Klyman is reflective of my listening experience. My criticism of Melody Klyman is obviously not personal. And while harsh at times, it was reflective of my opinions and therefore not unjustified.

“Perhaps there just weren’t enough indie band guitars or enough alt -folk styling’s on this album for the reviewer?” – Well done, you almost managed to destroy your whole argument with this horrible generalization. I am a fan of many different genres of music, artists within said genres, and very well versed in the repetoire of many of the artists namechecked when referencing Melody Klyman, so please do not let such uninformed assumptions escort an otherwise well-written comment in the future.

“Many of these comments make me have to wonder why he didn’t just let someone else review this if it was so incredibly difficult for him or perhaps just not review it at all.” – I reviewed this album because i took it on to review. It’s my job. And amazingly, there is such thing as a negative review. If i was to give this cd to someone who was a fan, then what would be the point? I had no prior experience of her, so surely someone completely new to Melody Klyman is well suited to review the album, with view of informing the TLOBF readership who were probably in the same position as me before i listened to this album.

You have good points to make, and your opinion is more than welcome on TLOBF. I replied as a) it’s fun to have a debate such as this, but mainly b) you made that ‘alt folk stylings’ comment. Which, if you’ll excuse the slip in eloquence, is a load of old toss. Please do not assume because i work for TLOBF, that i only like one genre of music. You’ll only make yourself look silly.

Again, nothing personal, i just like replying to these things :).

Peace and goodwill.
Sean

I first discovered her from the cover CD off of Clash magazine and then downloaded the entire Sovereign album. This album has become one of my favorites and I think anyone that likes great singer-songwriters like Annie Lennox or Kate Bush would enjoy this.

He hinted at the good production and underlying tones of electronica. I would say inflections of Massive Attack and Cocteau Twins in parts. The track Sparkle gives me strength every time I hear it and often I find myself with goose bumps from the emotion of her vocals. And every song sounding the same and the album repetitive?-that’s just ridiculous-the album couldn’t be more diverse in styles almost to a fault.

Also let me clarify (in my opinion) that there is absolutely nothing unusual about the harmonies or lyrics in Sovereign or in Cold As December or on any of the album for that matter. I found nothing about them that lead me to feel they were shoe-horned into the song – WTF?
What happened to artistic license? Give her a break!

Perhaps there just weren’t enough indie band guitars or enough alt -folk styling’s on this album for the reviewer? – Talk about same shit and repetitive music – yawn….

Finding this album unemotional is absurd. I could go on and on but the reality is I feel he is way off base with his sarcasm and misrepresentation of the album. Many of these comments make me have to wonder why he didn’t just let someone else review this if it was so incredibly difficult for him or perhaps just not review it at all.

What does ‘on the rag’ mean? What I think it does?

Why don’t you READ the review? Properly?

Instead of trying to be CLEVER?

Which you’re OBVIOUSLY not!

A reviewer REVIEWS

Too technical for you?

We can’t all be Pitchfuck, ya know?