Unfavourable Reviews

[meagain]

news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061113/wl_uk_afp/afpentertainmentbritain_061113165022

unfortunately the new album is getting some mixed reviews

[Vivian]

I've seen more positive reviews than negative, and this is only one person. So there's bound to be a few negative reviews.

PEace,Vivian

[meagain]

good point vivian

has anyone seen the comments people are making on the yahoo article? honestly, it's just sad to see so much hatred!

[waterside]

vivian said:

I've seen more positive reviews than negative, and this is only one person. So there's bound to be a few negative reviews.

PEace,Vivian

Yes, this is the worst review I've seen and I've looked at many and there are alot!
That "Rolling Stone" review that this article quoted should be taken with a grain of salt. I don't think it was unbiased, from what the reviewer said about Cat in the 70's. I don't think that reviewer ever liked Cat or Yusuf, so I don't think his opinion counts much! Most of the other reviews were very complimentary and said the music and Yusuf's voice sounded great!

[Vivian]

meagain said:

good point vivian

has anyone seen the comments people are making on the yahoo article? honestly, it's just sad to see so much hatred!

Yeah, unfortunately, I've seen those. And the thing that tics me off about those, is that THOSE people are not criticizing Yusuf's music, but rather his character, accusing him of horrible things he's had nothing to do with. You don't like his music-fine, I can live with that. Leave his character out of it, since they refuse to see him for the man of peace that he is.

Peace,Vivian

[Huru]

"There are melodies that, like that track, ring both sweet and mournful but, though the songs are all praises to the Creator (or His prophet), there is little sense of joy. Mostly the mood is glum piety," it added. . . . "Sufferable for sure, but hard to recommend," its reviewer said.

uhhh, who's glum?! Never surprised by the comments of jaded critics. The entertainment business is full of people running around trying desperately to impress everyone while acting completely unimpressed with everyone.

I've always felt that reviews should come from two reviewers, both positive and negative, so people can get more of a sense of the truth.

[waterside]

meagain said:

good point vivian

has anyone seen the comments people are making on the yahoo article? honestly, it's just sad to see so much hatred!

I think most of those jerks are from neocon websites. They have it in for Yusuf for some reason. They accuse him of all sorts of things, but when you read what they write you can tell that they have never done any reseach about him. They just know Yusuf's name and make accusations out of thin air. It makes my blood boil!! I really do think they are trying to scare people from buying the album. How people can believe those types, I don't know. They are the haters of this world!! I guess a lot of them think they are Christian. What a laugh!!

btw, I looked just now and "An Other Cup" is at #10 on Amazon!!! ;D

[salsabil]

I just read some of the posts, do most of them come off as a tad bit illiterate, they sure do to me, lol!
I highly doubt they will be influencing anyone, and if anyone is so silly as to be so easily influenced, they need to have a look at their spines!
They kind of remind me of a bunch of lemmings.

No doubt Yusuf's sales will be great, it's great music!

[salsabil]

Yes, Salsabil has gotten herself knee deep in it!

[cristobal]

I just can't believe anybody could say anything bad about this recored, they need to listen properly, it is the most inspirational, powerful thing I've heard in years.

[berber]

He who has ears, let him listen

[berber]

In the name of Allah, the Benificent, the Merciful:
Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity.
Sura Aal-Imran [104]

[Avalon (Tsu)]

kareema113 said:

waterside said:

Muslims are told repeatedly in the Qur'an to 'patiently persevere' in the face of adversity and so we do. This is the true meaning of that maligned word "jihad".

kareema

Christians are also taught this same message. As with Buddhists. {Insert your own belief here}. You are always going to have ignorant people in the world. This is my main reason for not being able to watch TV talk shows. The same goes for MOST new music in the past 20 years. The music industry can blame the whole Napster Chaos & technology on their downfall but in reality most of the music has been so bad people would not have bought it anyway.

I was around 12 -14 yrs old when I first heard the Cat's music. I also always have had a spiritual calling and tried to live my life the best I can. But I, too, was always seeking more enlightenment. The Cat's music was always a great soundtrack in the background for my life. People who will LISTEN to the call will HEAR it. They will HEAR it and UNDERSTAND it the way it was meant to be heard.

One other thing to keep in mind: Have any of you really LISTENED to what other kinds of music are being promoted these days? Of course alot of people will criticize this CD and the return of his music. But people with good in their hearts will understand this CD.

[Huru]

The music industry can blame the whole Napster chaos & technology on their downfall, but in reality most of the music has been so bad people would not have bought it anyway.

So true, plus most people cannot really afford to buy all the albums they'd like to buy and attend the concerts. In addition, there is a glut in the market.

[thewind]

I've never paid much attention to critics

[michaelb]

thewind said:

I've never paid much attention to critics

Too true, opinions are like arsholes...everyone has one.

[Lucy13]

As courtneycat mentioned on another thread (an other thread, LOL), I saw a pretty lousy review (2 stars) of AOC in The Week the other week.

Glad I don't need to type it (it ain't worth retyping!) Found it online:

www.theweekmagazine.com/reviews/articles/info.aspx?EntId=1046

--

An Other Cup
Don’t let his Islamic name fool you, Yusuf Islam’s latest album has Cat Stevens written all over it.
by Yusuf Islam

(Ya/Atlantic)
2 Stars
Release Date: 11/14/2006


The name “Yusuf” may be unfamiliar, but the man is not, said Robert Sandall in the London Daily Telegraph. After a 28-year hiatus from the music biz, the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens has released an album under the name he adopted when he converted to Islam. He may be a changed man, but on An Other Cup, the “sappy, melodic charm of his blockbuster albums from the early 1970s re-emerges unscathed.” The hippie spiritualism Stevens once espoused is still alive, but it’s more focused now, said Ann Powers in the Los Angeles Times. This record’s songs are typical Cat Stevens: sentimental lyrics attached to hearty, simple tunes. But now that Yusuf is a believer, his faith answers all the questions he used to leave hanging in the air. Sureness “is rarely as rich for artists as ambivalence,” so it’s no surprise that the best track here, “Maybe There’s a World,” has vulnerability built into the title. Exchange one religion for another, and this set of “gloopy power ballads” fits right into the Christian rock genre, said John Lewis in Time Out London. There are flashes of the old Cat in “Midday” and “I Think I See the Light,” but in general, these sappy songs and their Islam-based lyrics “manage to be both naïfish and pompous.”

[Starlight]

For every negative review out there, I have come across 50 positive ones. As Cat/Yusuf fans shouldn't we be posting these instead of the negative rantings of a few critics who clearly never liked his music to begin with? You know the old saying; "you can't please all of the people all of the time". Overall, Yusuf's cd has been a huge critical success!

[waterside]

starlight said:

For every negative review out there, I have come across 50 positive ones. Overall, Yusuf's cd has been a huge critical success!

I agree!! Most of the reviews I have seen are very positive and all agree that "the voice" is still absolutely there. Most of the other revieiws I've read (alot of them) call the songs spiritual and not overtly religious and praise their beauty. My guess is that Robert Sandall does not like anything to do with Islam or Muslims.

Here is a link to the Ann Powers review in the LA Times: She gave "Cup" 3 out of 4 stars.

tinyurl.com/y8suqr

[Vivian]

starlight said:

For every negative review out there, I have come across 50 positive ones. As Cat/Yusuf fans shouldn't we be posting these instead of the negative rantings of a few critics who clearly never liked his music to begin with? You know the old saying; "you can't please all of the people all of the time". Overall, Yusuf's cd has been a huge critical success!

Oh absolutely.

Peace,Vivian

[Starlight]

So maybe this link could be closed and a new link opened titled "Positive Reviews"...What does everyone think? It would start some positive energy flowing..

[Vivian]

starlight said:

So maybe this link could be closed and a new link opened titled "Positive Reviews"...What does everyone think? It would start some positive energy flowing..

I love that idea.

Peace,Vivian

[Lucy13]

I don't think there's anything wrong with educating ourselves as to what other people think. It's interesting to see why they might not agree with us. Heck, despite the 2-star award, that review up there still says a lot of positive things. (It's really just the last line that bites.)

And I happen to believe there's a lot of truth in the line, "sureness is rarely as rich for artists as ambivalence.”



P.S. We know it's a good album... esp. after 28 years! ... and that should be all that really matters.

[dal]

I'm ignorant about the music industry, but I wouldn't think the critics matter so much as far as sales and whether or not individuals like the music. I never read what critics say before I purchase music & I'm sure I'm not alone.

I've always been a fan of Yusuf's music since I was 13 & heard it the first time. It doesn't make any difference to me what critics say- I like what I like. I will buy Yusuf's stuff regardless out of sentimentality, so people like me probably do not count, but I think most people will take a listen & decide for themselves.

I think that the negative reviews posted along with the positive is best though to be as fair in reporting news, etc one should be as non biased as possible and report from all opinions. Does anyone enjoy reading or listening to the news when it is biased and only reported from one perspective? Hmmn ...bad example I just gave ;D Maybe I should say even though there are people out there who only like to hear one perspective on the news , news is always more fair and balanced when reported from an unbiased point of view, or free from being manipulated into one point of view. And I guess these reviews qualify as music news. I could be wrong.

I like his music - I always have, BUT if I had to do a review on the song Bitterblue ( which I really really do not like) and there are a couple more I really really do not like- should I have to lie & say I like them? I don't think insincerity is what any artists wants to hear about their work- I think the good ones would like to hear honest heart felt evaluations of their work. If I paint a picture & ask what someone thinks, I want their HONEST opinion & not a bunch of insincere flattery mouthed just because they fear hurting my feelings. If someone cannot take unflattering opinions about their work than they have definitely made a bad decision to publicize their work be they an artist, a musician or an actor. I would much prefer the opinion of a friend who is always honest with me than that of someone who flatters me with insincere flattery.

Oh yeah- I never heard of Robert Sandall before this thread I would imagine if you walked up to anyone in the street and said "Robert Sandall said blah blah" They would answer " Robert Who? Who's that?"

[Starlight]

Personally, I don't get off on reading bad reviews if I think something is good. To each their own. I do not watch Fox news to get a good read on what is really going on with president Bush and I don't follow the North Korean dictators speeches to get a true view of what is happening in North Korea. Why would I need to read reviews written by Yusuf's detractors to get a good feel for a cd I already know I like?

[CatLike75]

Well said, Star.

[dal]

starlight said:

Personally, I don't get off on reading bad reviews if I think something is good. To each their own. I do not watch Fox news to get a good read on what is really going on with president Bush and I don't follow the North Korean dictators speeches to get a true view of what is happening in North Korea. Why would I need to read reviews written by Yusuf's detractors to get a good feel for a cd I already know I like?

I hope you did not get an understanding from my post that I implied that you personally had or should do anything at all. If it looks as if it were personally directed at you then that is just bad writing on my part. I was opting for freedom of speech & not implying everyone must or has to do anything at all.

[Chris]

Sadly, critics are unkind to almost everything we the public enjoy. Plays, Books, Movies, Music, Art, Architecture. I always figure, if the critics hate it, then I'll probably like it. I don't know how many books and/or movies I read or watched and totally disagreed with the critics views. :-)

But, that being said, it gets frustrating to see bad reviews on something we love. I see where you are coming from. I don't think I will be closing this thread. There will always be critics we don't agree with. But instead, lets start a new thread to celebrate the positive reviews.

[Golden Sands]

good idea with the positive thread (about time)! but I like the fact that we have a negative reviews thread here. it show that were are reasonable fans, and not crazy fanatics.. we are able to take criticism and deal with it.

By the way, i was looking for a place to post this.. this is the reply to critics that i wrote, it's on the Amazon reviews:

Although today I'm a die-hard Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam fan, I didn't always appreciate his songs. When I first listened to his music from the 60s and 70s, I found many of the lyrics simplistic, the instruments weird, and I wasn't impressed with his voice. I knew there was something about the songs that I should like, but I just couldn't get myself to truly enjoy them. One day, however, I listened to 'Where do the Children Play' while driving my car, and suddenly fell in love. I joyfully sang along, feeling that every word, every tune was exactly what it was supposed to be. And so I began to discover the rest of his songs, one by one.

Of course, I could not get enough of the Cat.. so when I heard about the new album 'An Other Cup,' I was ecstatic. I began listening to all the songs as soon as they were made available on Yusuf's website. However, I was taken back a little. Once again, there were the simplistic lyrics and unimpressive voice. I kept thinking, "he could sing this note better," "he could replace this instrument with another."....But I had faith in Yusuf. I knew with absolute certainty, that Yusuf devotes all of his self to his work. He simply sings what's in his heart. He wouldn't do it any other way. So when the CD came out on Nov 14th, I walked to the record store and bought it. The first thing I did was read the little booklet with the cover picture. It started with a famous story from Zen:
....................................................
A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master. While the master quietly served tea, the professor talked about Zen.

The master poured the visitor's cup to the brim, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself.

"It's overfull! No more will go in!" the professor blurted. "You are like this cup," the master replied, "How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup."
.....................................................

How refreshing!!! When I got to my car later that day, I popped the CD in and enjoyed every song from Yusuf's 'Other Cup.'

The problem is that we want the whole world to yield to our desires.. how selfish! Yusuf is who he is, and he is full of love. So to the critics I say, empty your cup and you will find Yusuf's joy, beauty and true love!

[dal]

zaidkh said:

good idea with the positive thread (about time)! but I like the fact that we have a negative reviews thread here. it show that were are reasonable fans, and not crazy fanatics.. we are able to take criticism and deal with it.

By the way, i was looking for a place to post this.. this is the reply to critics that i wrote, it's on the Amazon reviews:

Although today I'm a die-hard Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam fan, I didn't always appreciate his songs. When I first listened to his music from the 60s and 70s, I found many of the lyrics simplistic, the instruments weird, and I wasn't impressed with his voice. I knew there was something about the songs that I should like, but I just couldn't get myself to truly enjoy them. One day, however, I listened to 'Where do the Children Play' while driving my car, and suddenly fell in love. I joyfully sang along, feeling that every word, every tune was exactly what it was supposed to be. And so I began to discover the rest of his songs, one by one.

Of course, I could not get enough of the Cat.. so when I heard about the new album 'An Other Cup,' I was ecstatic. I began listening to all the songs as soon as they were made available on Yusuf's website. However, I was taken back a little. Once again, there were the simplistic lyrics and unimpressive voice. I kept thinking, "he could sing this note better," "he could replace this instrument with another."....But I had faith in Yusuf. I knew with absolute certainty, that Yusuf devotes all of his self to his work. He simply sings what's in his heart. He wouldn't do it any other way. So when the CD came out on Nov 14th, I walked to the record store and bought it. The first thing I did was read the little booklet with the cover picture. It started with a famous story from Zen:
....................................................
A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master. While the master quietly served tea, the professor talked about Zen.

The master poured the visitor's cup to the brim, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself.

"It's overfull! No more will go in!" the professor blurted. "You are like this cup," the master replied, "How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup."
.....................................................

How refreshing!!! When I got to my car later that day, I popped the CD in and enjoyed every song from Yusuf's 'Other Cup.'

The problem is that we want the whole world to yield to our desires.. how selfish! Yusuf is who he is, and he is full of love. So to the critics I say, empty your cup and you will find Yusuf's joy, beauty and true love!

Lovely post!