Some clarification. Any time I post some old reviews that I wrote back in August, I inevitably get the same comments.
“I thought you weren’t reviewing anymore!”
“I thought you gave up on writing!”
or,
“When are you reviewing the new Kiss box set?”
I’ll give you the same answer that my psychology professor gave us when we asked when he would have all our term papers marked: “On the 12th of Never.”
To be clear: I am no longer writing reviews.
Anything I am writing now is personal; nothing to do with trying to review anything. If whatever I write has something to do with music, great. If not, I don’t care. I am done with it.
Why bother? I get the same amount of views (or more) for copying and pasting a press release about a Loudness video. Or a Coney Hatch concert. Why should I work for two hours, three hours, four hours, on a review that gets as many views as something I copied and pasted from a PR company? I am burned out. That’s the blunt truth. Burned right out.
For the very best in original music reviews, I suggest you head on over to John Snow at 2loud2oldmusic. He works diligently every day to bring you music reviews and lists.
On the other hand, if you want to know what I am up to, what I’m watching on YouTube, or how I’m dealing with mental health, then you can stick around. I had a pretty good run. My reviews have been complimented by stars such as Dennis DeYoung (my childhood hero), F. Lee Harvey Blotto, and Dave Bidini. They’ve been criticized by others such as Kenny Hotz, Regina Banali, and David “D-Funk” Faulk. I’ve achieved a lot of what I set out to do 10 years ago.
It’s been fun but I am giving up giving a fuck.
mikeladano.com 
First off, great song!! Love that. A great mantra to have. Second, thanks for that compliment. People want your reviews, because you are the best at it, but I understand about burnout! I’ve been there recently. Whatever you write, I’ll be there to read it.
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No sir you are the best at it. Hands down.
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You’re both wrong. I’m the best! And also the laziest. Shit.
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That is a contradiction. Can’t the best and lazy both.
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I get it, I’m there too, by and large. The compromise I struck was still posting, but they’re minimal posts. A wee blurb to remind the Reader of something, perhaps, or point them in a direction. And yes, it has simple opinion in it, but it’s not a deep review. Usually more of a “hey, I heard this and I liked it.” Why bother if it’s been ages since I put any actual work into it? The Community. A presence, after all these years, a hand in to stay a part of this awesome group. Plus, it’d be a shame to give it up after all this time, so it’s like maintaining a streak. Besides, I’m still listening to music, so why not barf a couple of lines about it. But actual content with real reviews were ages ago. No one seems to mind lol.
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For me I have been writing reviews steadily for over a decade. This was not an easy conclusion to come to.
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I don’t doubt it! You were far more serious about it than I ever even dreamed of being, for which every praise is due.
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I tried really hard. I tried to do what Popoff did, and these other guys I idolized. I failed.
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Dude, no way. You succeeded, all while working a full time job. Failure? Nope.
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Well I didn’t achieve all my goals. Some yes.
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Well sure, OK. But I think I’m just trying to say don’t be too hard on yourself. You achieved a helluva lot and you did it all with integrity and intelligence and passion.
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Well thanks. I think I achieved my two initial goals. I wanted to get things for free and I wanted to interview rock stars.
Stuff for free is nice, although it turns out people want a review in return, so it’s not really free. Interviewing rock stars was fun but not for me. I guess I had to try it to discover that I didn’t enjoy it. Deke has taken that baton and run with it, he seems to enjoy it more than I do.
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Well, the stuff for free needing a review was something you were doing with stuff you bought for yourself anyway. But if it seemed like work then that’s no fun.
As for interviewing people in the business, I thought you did a great job, asked excellent questions and allowed them the time to form thoughts and to speak with rush or judgement. That’s incredibly rare and I’m sure they enjoyed it.
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Well I sure did try. I’m glad you enjoyed the interviews. The one I’ll come out retirement for is Paul Laine. He promised us a round two. He was really cool and completely stress free. Otherwise I think I’m content to leave that in the past. Focus on me instead of other people.
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I get that, I really do.
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I didn’t know that Dennis DeYoung complimented one of your reviews. That’s cool! I’m sorry you’re so burnt out. Writing is not easy and I totally get that, but I’ll be here to read your posts, for sure!
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He did! Mitch Lafon sent him my review of his record and he loved it!! So proud. He appreciates when Styx fans understand his contributions.
Thanks Lana. Did you watch Fridays show? I didn’t get much feedback from viewers this week.
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Wow, that’s so cool Mitch loved your review enough to show Dennis!
Sorry my responses have been so spread out recently.
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That’s OK don’t worry about it!
Yes Mitch has been pretty cool with my writing even though he thinks I’m too long-winded. He thinks I should stick to 200 words.
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Thank you!
Long winded? I mean, I guess I get his point with people’s attention span nowadays. Now that I think about it, my reviews are over 200 words too.
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Magazines used to have 200 word requirements – no more no less. So that’s what he likes to read.
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That makes sense. Shorter reviews that are to the point are more challenging, but they make sense for today’s age.
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What a pity, but I totally get it. You have informed a lot of my music purchases over the years based on your heartfelt reviews.
I’ve been a long time visitor to your site while only commenting occasionally.
It’s important to care for yourself if you feel burnt out. Mental health is not to be taken lightly.
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Thank you. I just can’t continue doing this. I put 110% into everything, and in the last few months it hasn’t been possible and I knew it. I considered writing brief 100 word reviews like a magazine blurb but it wasn’t inspiring to me. I couldn’t get any satisfaction from it. I go big or go home.
I thank you for reading. I really appreciate it. Made all those hours worth it.
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I thought you weren’t reviewing anymore!
I thought you gave up on writing!
When are you reviewing the new Kiss box set?
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BWAHAHAHA oh shit!
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Beat me to it. Lol
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The fact that you were able to write about music for so long in spite of everything else is a tribute to you. I’ve never had any big named musicians comment on any of my posts. The closest I’ve come was getting a Like on Twitter from David Gilmour when I announced the passing of Keith Emerson. Write what you want to write about.
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If you ever doubt the positive impact you’ve had or wonder if it was all worth it, just remember this great community that’s been forged here. And your reviews were instrumental in introducing a number of bands to me.
https://madmetalman900775663.wordpress.com/2022/10/30/lebrain-bands-of-the-week/
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I hear ya when you say “effort spent” vs reads/views. In depth posts get the same views as simple cut and paste from a press release.
I remember Andrew McNeice saying something similar when he was doing the Melodic Rock site.
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Sorry to hear you’re not doing reviews, you were always great at those. But I totally get where you’re coming from and this whole thing is meant to be enjoyable so I hope the new way of doing things works for you.
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Mike, I just wanted to thank you for all the reviews you gave me over the years (this goes out to Aaron as well). Before then, I had given up believing anyone gave a shit about my music and I was feeling like I made a huge mistake dedicating my entire life to the art. People like you that made me feel seen and heard, that is an eternal gift my dear friend. I have a new album coming out in 2023. I will send it to you when it is ready, just to listen to it. And honestly, just as a way of saying thanks for not letting me give up.
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I get it. But I’m here for your words no matter what they pertain to. I don’t comment as much as I should but I’m a reader! I think yours was one of the first blogs I started to follow back when I did the first iteration of my blog, years ago.
I like long-winded! (Some of my posts go on for DAYS). I only really write about things that move me or have a grip on me. Hence why most of my stuff is from the 80s/90s when I was getting into all this new music and shaping a persona from it. I used to write reviews for a music site, but I would never write a review if I couldn’t be positive about the music. Not for any ‘commercial’ or ‘PR’ reasons, just that I didn’t want to be someone who was critical of some new band’s work. Anyway. I’m rambling here.
You write, I read. Simple! Be well, sir.
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Aww thanks Jay. Unfortunately reviewing just wasn’t sustainable after over 10 years of putting in 110%. For a long time (several years) I was able to lean on a back catalogue of Amazon reviews that I did ages ago, to keep the content coming. But once that dried up it became a lot more work.
I have nothing against work, but work without reward is demoralizing.
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I hear ya. Not questioning your work ethic, just wanted to reassure that I originally read for the reviews but then I just read for your voice. Same still applies! Looking forward to the net chapter.
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