In Conversation With A Critic

Regarding the bad review that Jo Shooman gave The Vaults on Drowned In Sound. I nobbled self proclaimed "critic" Jo Shoo himself over MSN to find out why he hated the EP so much.

Transcript follows;

Mangatrina says: hey

Jo Shoo says: yo Yo?!! Who says Yo? Apart from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?!

Mangatrina says: dude you totally fucking ripped into the Vaults. What gives? I am entering into the Californiary swing of things!)

Jo Shoo says: well...I didn't like it Doh! Well I gathered THAT!! I have no doubt the band are probably pretty rockin live

Mangatrina says: fairly unbalanced review though - just a slagging off basically I thought

Jo Shoo says: you think?

Mangatrina says: just my feedback

Jo Shoo says:yeah it's ok Oh THANKS for allowing me to express my feedback, generous of you!

Mangatrina says: I love the band so am biased. But you didnt listen to it for what it was

Jo Shoo says: ah well...this is it innit. I did listen to it for what it was in my opinion and at the end of the day it's just my reaction to it. I grew up on Motorhead, I think they're one of my favourite bands. but I didn't consider No Sleep no Need to have much going for it

Mangatrina says: right ...well - you didnt see ANYTHING redeeming?!

Jo Shoo says:no

Mangatrina says: ouch. But no thought of passing it to a writer who might like it?

Jo Shoo says: it's a fair point. but here's what I would say: if everything gets a great review then every review has no value, also I'm open minded I think the next release might knock my head off in a good way or live I love great music evidently not! and am happy when I experience it so I'd go and see them no question but in this case I pretty much thought it wasn't much cop

Mangatrina says: heres my response - You took a cheap swipe and were pretty rude & nasty about it. As your objective opinion. I dont think you held up the music by itself...thats all. You were comparing to The Darkness and Motorhead. Not a record in its own. Anyway Differing opinions and all that I guess.

Jo Shoo says: yeah

Mangatrina says: Nothing to be done anyhoo

Jo Shoo says: actually I didn't compare them to The Darkness the point I was making was that The Darkness have opened people's minds up to guitar-based stuff again. There's now a slew of rock / hard rock / hm acts coming through. Which is good isn't it Well yes obviously its good but hes trying to change the subject here

Mangatrina says: well, the masses yes have been reintroduced to guitar rock, but NOT DiS readers

Jo Shoo says: I don't mean musically., culturally and in terms of the Music Industry

Mangatrina says: I think it was a lazy comparison/mention whatever

Jo Shoo says: it wasn't a comparison

Mangatrina says: anyway Its always easier to slate something

Jo Shoo says: it was a comment on the trends of the music industry ha ha ha as if Mr Shoo is capable of an intelligent commentary on ANYTHING! The man writes And your mid-paced pissy cover of ’Leaving Here’ is complete shit too. Give up. Succinct and to the point yes, but seriously lacking in any basis of talented critique. God I could write for DiS if you take this into account! I would just write "What a pile of wank! This song was deadly slow, why dont you stop being in a band?!"

ANYWAY!!!What gives ANY critic the right to demand that a band should give up?!

Mangatrina says: which had no place in that review

Jo Shoo says: well, now you're talking about stylistic stuff which is subjective. and I'm glad you like the band cause that's what it's all about Patronising much?!! I didn't like the release and didn't find it worked on any level Thats cos the Vaults don't operate on Moronic Level - 2 int - 8 wis so it would have been remiss not to express that. I think it's cool we can talk about it. and music is emotive anyway. so...anyway have to run, would be cool to chat later

What a deeply unsatisfying conversation THAT was!! I know different floats for different folks etc etc blah blah fucking blah but this review was really offensive!

Ah well, at least it shan't affect the fans who have been to see The Vaults on their tour and heard it on the radio.

It just ANNOYS me, YES its cos Mark is my little boyf...

...but also the fact that the guy didn't even LISTEN to it properly, he calls them distorto something or another...and it really IRKS me.....my gosh......! I must be in love!!