For the first time in the ten years since starting our message boards, posts on the Tipsheet (predominantly music) have been beaten by posts on Your Views (other topics).

Sadly I think this reflects less interest in music. I've noticed the other music boards have been dropping off too, even the fan sites ("I don't like their new single...").

Both Velvet Rope and ROTD are deserts of boredom.

Certainly the INDUSTRY has fewer figures and characters. Virtually no executives worth mentioning; little imagination in promotion, marketing or A&R, dull producers, copycat performers...

Media is generally fading. Newspapers getting more and more predictable and dreary, TV awful in entertainment (though drama is very good at the moment), radio grinding to a halt...

Even the internet, after a cracking start, is dull in the area of music. Like the early 80s (remember video and Duran and MTV?), it is stronger in opinion (and politics - Obama) than in music. Massive views mean minimal sales - interest is not being met by purchase (and why should it be?).

We need to shake it up.

I've noticed several tip threads pass by without responses. I'm admit to being one of those who doesn't respond unless I think the tip is particularly good. That might be why fewer people are bothering. Maybe we shouldn't be afraid to give constructive criticism in future. It's better than silence.

There is plenty of good music out there.

Actually Al we do delete negative criticism when it is clearly either malicious or thoughtless - whilst we encourage constructive, if negative, comment.

I often find I'm not moved by a tip and refrain from comment since I have nothing positive to offer - and why slag something off (unless it has already achieved something in which case it deserves fair comment)?

I think that explains a lot of the lack of comment on tips. Viewers have learned "I hate it" just doesn't get posted.

That's why I said constructive criticism. Even if we don't like a track, we could say where we think it has gone wrong. Is it just not our style, or is the timing off, or could the lyrics be stronger, etc. That could be helpful to the performer/producer and just what they are looking for. An empty thread could be more discouraging than criticism.

At least they would know someone has bothered to listen.