AOTW revamp

[Soul Stream]

Seems like AOTW is dying on the vine somewhat. I like the idea, but perhaps it could be changed to a degree in that whoever's AOTW it is, they really put in a lengthy synopsis/review of the album. The idea of just throwing it out there isn't enough imho. Some do this, some don't. I'd like to see it turn into something more along the lines of ...."Let me share one of my favorite albums with you." w/responses. This might spark more interest.

Anybody else have any thoughts on the situation?

[Guy Berger]

I dunno... it seems like it's hard enough for JohnS to find AOTW contributors already; would people want to do it if they had to write a review? Though I agree, it would be cool if people who pick AOTW started the ball rolling.

Guy

[Free For All]

Perhaps if it's "suggested" that people briefly discuss WHY they like their choice, what makes it a AOTW choice to them, favorite cuts etc. it would help to facilitate more of a dialogue.

If they don't want to do this, that's fine. They'll just have to live with whatever amount of response they receive.

I do think a required lengthy post might discourage some from participating.

But I do agree, SS, that it is definitely in a big slump.

Do people think the choices are too conservative? Should we try to pick more obscure or potentially controversial things? We do need to be able to access these somewhere, so TOO obscure won't work either.

[Soul Stream]

To me, any AOTW that's been successful has had someone (usually the initiator) making a case for the album in general. Then people, bounce off of what's been said and the ball rolls.

Also, I don't think obscurity is the answer here. We need stuff that's widely available for the most part. I think more DETAILED critiques/discussions are what's needed. This whole "I like this album."..."I like it too!" just is so superficial it kind of loses the point of why we're doing it. It's a jumping board for discussion.

Or maybe it's time has come...maybe we need to rethink the point of it all.

[Adam]

I think SS is right - if you are leading off, then one should write something detailed. I'm just as guilty.

But I also think that, like Star Trek on TV, maybe AOTW needs a short break - perhaps take the summer off, and revive it come September?

[JohnS]

Thanks for this guys.

I've been thinking about posting a poll to get some ideas how we might revitalise the topic so I'm pleased with your thoughtful input. Any ideas/suggestions you have post them here (or PM me). Whatever we do though there will always be some albums which won't fly, especially if they are a bit on the obscure side.

[Soulstation1]

most of the time i don't have the aotw selection

[Nate Dorward]

The AOTW selector should be aware, yes, that discussion is likely to die quickly unless some actual commentary is injected. On both occasions I've done an AOTW I did a track by track commentary. Neither thread took off like a rocket, but they did OK. -- Not everyone needs to go that far, but something more than "This is a great disc" is needed.

I think it'd be nice if occasionally discs were selected with the idea of lending themselves to discussion--e.g. "controversial" discs rather than just ones where everyone nods & says "yeah, nice disc" & that's the end of discussion.

[clifford_thornton]

I think the idea of a review is a good one for some, as well as throwing in any links that might shed light upon the subject, such as interviews and what not. Context certainly makes the difference.