UM's Review Rating Scale (updated 12/30/06)

[Russell]

We’ve decided from this point onwards to stop numerically rating albums; the average score was climbing above five, and since we introduced the system it has become clear there are extensive personal and cultural differences in how these ratings are viewed.

February 2006 - December 2006

We have recently changed UM's review rating system; being the nice guys and gals we are, our average score had slipped up to seven out of ten. We realise, however, that having numerical rating and not having the average at half the top score, however, is a bit counter-intuitive. So, after much debate, we have come up with a new set of score which we will endeavour to stick to:

0 - 1.5: Awful . . . don't bother.
2 - 3.5: Below average . . . only buy if you wipe your bum with large bills.
4 - 6: Average . . . buy if you really like this style.
6.5 - 8: Above average . . . definitely worth checking out.
8.5 - 9.5: Excellent . . . nearly essential for all fans of extreme music.
10 Classic . . . if you don't own this you should be crucified.

All reviews posted since the beginning of February adhere to this system, as will all in the future.

Feel free to post comments below.

[Victim of Deception]

It perhaps makes more sense having an average mark nearer to the middle of the number scale, but I typically would've rated an average album like 6.5/10 before. I can dig the new scale, however.

[V.V.V.V.V.]

Fuck grade school rating!

[speed]

How about throwing out the numerical rating system alltogether? I think most would agree as to the ridiculousness of objectively rating music with numerical values. How about taking a Digital Metal or even a NY Times approach, and let the prose of ones review act as a subjective rating? It is far more fair, and it allows the writer of such a review, to abscond themselves from any silly rating arguments that always ensue.

[circus_brimstone]

Originally Posted by speed

How about throwing out the numerical rating system alltogether? I think most would agree as to the ridiculousness of objectively rating music with numerical values. How about taking a Digital Metal or even a NY Times approach, and let the prose of ones review act as a subjective rating? It is far more fair, and it allows the writer of such a review, to abscond themselves from any silly rating arguments that always ensue.

We spent weeks fine-tuning this system, and on the whole, most of the staff voted to keep the numerical ratings in place. I, for one, like them for several reasons, though I don't feel like relaying them here unless you absolutely want me to.

[speed]

Originally Posted by circus_brimstone

We spent weeks fine-tuning this system, and on the whole, most of the staff voted to keep the numerical ratings in place. I, for one, like them for several reasons, though I don't feel like relaying them here unless you absolutely want me to.

No, its your system and there is some juvenile rage to rate and rank things in our society these days. I think its idiotic, but...

[Russell]

Originally Posted by speed

No, its your system and there is some juvenile rage to rate and rank things in our society these days. I think its idiotic, but...

I myself am not a fan of numerical rating systems either, but the reason we introduced them is because we found without people would skim read the first paragraph of a review and often never get to the end. With a numerical score as a guide often people will look at this first and then on the basis of that read the review, and we find that more people have checked out our reviews since we introduced the ratings system. So - juvenile or otherwise - that's how we're keeping it for the moment. Thanks for the comment tho, it's always good to hear other opinions.

[Alteredmindeath]

I don't consider a 6.5 rating an album I should definately check out, now an 8 I probably would make some effort but this is a strange rating scale.

[PaulRawNerve]

cool, i just marked all of this very first batch that i've done by my own thoughts and then looked at this, and it matches it.. glad we're on the same wavelength mr russell. i generally don't mark with numbers, i never have done on raw nerve, so when i first did that with zero tolerance it was a bit odd/difficult, but getting the hang now.. marking out of 10 shout be the least people mark out of.

[Deadeyeseenofuture]

Originally Posted by V.V.V.V.V.

Fuck grade school rating!

Just ignore the rating then! I however think its good if u want to no whats good before hand... instead of spending money on sumthing u might not like.

XDne