Regarding Submissions

I realize that what I’m about to write will make me sound like a total prick, but sometimes you just need to get things off your chest.

Let me just say that I love getting CDs sent to me. And not just because it means free music. I really do love getting the chance to write about music and (hopefully) inspire others to check out new bands. However, I feel like I need to put down a few guidelines for any prospective rockstars out there.

First of all, we’re a small operation here. I write the bulk of the reviews, with help from a few volunteers who graciously donate their time, energy, and opinions. If Opus has a “staff,” then it’s in the loosest sense of the word. (In other words, nobody’s getting paid.) This means that it takes awhile to get through even a portion of the CDs received. This also means that I simply can’t review every single CD. And by “review,” I mean just that — in-depth, personal, well-written reviews that I’m proud to have on the site, not just a witty sentence or two.

Please don’t e-mail me every week to see if I’ve received your CD.

Second, please read Opus before you ask to submit anything. Just read a couple of reviews, and you should get an idea of where Opus’ focus and taste lies. But just to make things simple, here are some hints. The following things suck in every sense of the word:

  • Creed, Incubus, rapcore, “new metal,” and any other music that sounds better in a weight room
  • Pop-punk and mall emo
  • Bands that treat their music as a joke or obvious ploy to get some tail at the bar after the show
  • Musicians that rely on irony, pop culture witticisms, and self-deprecating humor rather than actual songs
  • Bands that claim their music will save rock n’ roll (or any other genre for that matter)

In other words, if you’re inspired by the posturing of Scott Stapp or Brandon Boyd, think that turntables and metal go together well, insist that your music is unlike anything else I’ve ever heard, or try to impress with your indie-rock wit, you will not get a good review.

Whew… sometimes it good to get things out in the open. I’m not writing this to be a jerk, or to sound like Buddyhead, but I prefer to write about music I enjoy and can be passionate about. In fact, that’s pretty much all I’ll write about. The rest I ignore. I’m not a journalist, so I see no need to claim to be objective, and I hate writing negative reviews. So please, please, please… think before you submit.

If you’re still game, than so am I.

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