And Moira's Lake is no different.
Each step from writing to arranging to recording to production presents its own bag of difficulties, problems and headaches.
So of all of the processes involved in making an album, what is the hardest part?
Is it the writing? The recording? The mixing? The promotion?
Each of these in their own way can be plenty difficult. But for me, and for many of the musicians I know, the hardest part is not any of these. It all comes down to the most basic thing.
Dealing with criticism.
Reading a bad review, or a negative comment about the thing you've poured your heart and soul into is one of the most upsetting, and challenging things to deal with.
Part of the reason, I think, is because many of us have trouble separating ourselves from our projects. We are our projects. And when someone else says something negative about the project, they are saying something bad about us.
Which is actually not true.
But is sure feels that way.
My close friend Thomas Drinnen of the band Urizen has confessed to feeling the same way. He said he doesn't even read the reviews anymore, because reading the critical ones is just too painful and upsetting.
I completely understand. And the downside of putting any project out into the world is that no matter how many people love it, there will always be people that don't like what you do. Always. You cannot avoid it. It is inevitable.
As an example, when I finished Sweet Painful Reality back in 2002, I sent the album off to several online publications for review. One particular magazine also produced a physical print version each month to go with the website.
So when they sent me the issue in the mail, I was excited to see that they put the review of Sweet Painful Reality on the very first page. Pretty cool right?
Wrong.
The review was one of the worst, if not actually THE worst review I've ever read. Not only was the person reviewing the album very negative and critical of the album, but it was also one of the most meandering, off-topic, poorly written reviews in general.
Lucky me to be the recipient of both a bad review of my album, and also bad reviewer.
Even though the article was terrible and compared us to things that Sweet Painful Reality sounded nothing like, as in 80's hair metal and other strange things, it still stuck with me. It was still painful (but not sweet).
Let me temper this with a dose of realism.
I'm very lucky, and quite surprised to be able to say that almost all of the comments and reactions about Moira's Lake I've received via email, facebook and our blog have been overwhelmingly positive.
Honest, personal and lengthy paragraphs from people who have really been captured, and genuinely moved by the music, even if it took them a few listens (and it usually does).
Which is really wonderful to hear.
And yet, perhaps it's just the kind of person I am, I tend to focus on the negative. Even if it's just one small comment somewhere. If it's negative, it will stay with me and ruin the rest of my day.
It hurts.
Many of you might think it's stupid to be so affected by something so trivial, and in principle you're correct. But it still does not change the way it feels.
Which leaves you with only a few options.
If you are a person who creates, you could hang on to your art forever, only showing it to a few friends, and never put it out in the world.
This choice is tempting, as it keeps you insulated from most negativity, but also sees to it that your art will never be able to impact anyone else.
Or you can take the risk and put your creative project out into the world with the understanding that it may take a beating, and/or it may be appreciated.
It's a scary gamble, but sooner or later we all have to take our lumps.
Anyone can criticize something. It's easy. We all do it, myself included.
But without those who take the risk, and put something out into the world, there would never be any art to criticize, or art to fall in love with.
Thanks again to everyone who's been so positive and enthusiastic so far! Your reactions are the best reward we could ever ask for!
-Niko
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