> I kinda miss the tactful criticism of releases auditeers
> used to muster...but I'm as guilty as anybody.  After being made aware 
> that
> negative comments could hurt people's feelings, I don't mention releases
> that didn't live up to my expectations - though I should.  Does anyone 
> else
> out there value the *disappointments* in people's 2007 lists as much as 
> the
> top 20?

Mike, I don't think there's anything wrong with tactful negative criticism. 
However, if there is only so much space available in a print magazine, I'd 
rather write about albums that I *did* like, especially if they might be at 
the level that the press isn't beating their door down to pay attention. But 
you're right, on a discussion list that shouldn't be a big issue...I think 
what happens is the first negative comment is so heavy handed that the 
defensive barbs go up, and from that point it's almost impossible to float a 
polite pan.

I like the lists for many reasons - identify things I missed, see who seems 
to have a similar ear to me (and pay closer attention to those lists) and 
yes, look at the disappointments for the same reason I look at the 
favorites. For example, Shoshana mentioned The Makes Nice, The Cheeks and 
Len Price in her top 12 (!) and was disappointed in the latest effort by The 
Contrast...wow! I think that's the only other mention of The Makes Nice I 
have seen besides mine, SOTT members know I like The Cheeks and Len Price 
and I feel the same way (down to her description) about The Contrast. So I 
would use her list as a closer benchmark than Stewart Mason's (whose musical 
Mensa points are beyond reproach, but our Venn diagram has a small overlap) 
when shopping. (And I'm sure Stewart doesn't clip-n-save my lists either!)

The other factor that helps is the comments. "Wicked awesome!" doesn't 
really help me but "Equal parts Nellie McKay, Madness and Robbie Williams, 
there's way more bouncy pop fun to be had here than in a half-dozen Amy 
Winehouse records" does. (Kudos to Will Harris for the latter comment).

At the end of the day the same rules apply - you have two ears and a wallet, 
use them in that order and don't look back.

cheers
bill