As a music blogger, you give opinions. You might talk about a song you like, or a band that’s rocking your socks off. On the other hand, a band may disappoint you with a weak single, or you might express skepticism or scorn at a press-baiting statement. You may simply not vibe with a particular band or style of music.

That’s the thing about music. It creates opinions and makes people passionate about the song, the band, the album. Opinions are, as Socrates once said, as common as assholes. Everybody’s got one.

But as a blogger, the moment you utter something a fan doesn’t want to hear, you get relegated to moron status. Anything less than fawning adulation is met with blistering attacks upon the writer’s mental capacity.

No writer should censor themselves to pander to someone’s fanbase. Criticism is an important part of artistic growth. No-one who puts themselves in the public eye can really escape critique or commentary, and if we all liked the same things, there would be no need for musicians to try new things and experiment.

Now, this little missive isn’t because I’m taking flack from you lot (well, some), but because I think it’s important to talk about.

We encourage comments and conversation on this blog (on all the Unreality blogs). That gives us a chance to start off a conversation and you guys to weigh in with your own views. If we were afraid of criticism, wouldn’t we just close the comments?

Unreality Music will continue to comment on music news and gossip and to give our verdict on what’s good in the charts and what is dross. The post we write is just the start of the conversation, and we invite you to join in and chat with us!