Invisible Oranges turns 2
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Invisible Oranges turns 2 tomorrow. This really isn't a big deal, especially given that this site's inspiration, aversionline.com, has been going in some form or another for 8 years. That boggles my mind. The headaches involved in running such a site are immense (Invisible Oranges is held together mostly by tape and hope). I'm amazed Andrew @ Aversionline hasn't gone completely insane yet.
Still, when I consider the thousands of hours I've put into IO, the countless distraught emails sent to tech support, the innumerable crappy albums endured in order to find good ones to feature, and the fact that this site has replaced anything resembling a "life" for me, I feel good about it. People seem to be reading (and caring). The addition of Jess Blumensheid has brought a fresh voice and much hipper taste to the site. It's generally a place I want to visit.
So, how can the site improve? ("Suck less" is not helpful.) What features should be added or dropped? How can the site be better organized? In terms of coverage, what would you like to see more or less of? What have you liked or disliked? Should more writers contribute to the site? Would advertising ruin the experience? As Rob Halford sang 20 years ago, "Heavy Metal - what do you want?"
Labels: anniversaries, clee, features
29 Comments:
I don't know when did I started to read your blog but I've quickly became a regular here since you constantly review good metal and you write concise and interesting piece. I don't know what would be good to improve this website but I hope that like Aversionline you will continue a little bit to make this blog a good place to hear about and listen to great metal.
As my mom would say, don't futz around with something that ain't broke. The world has enough Sputniks, CoCs, and Metal Archives. I think blogs are more democratic, anyway. People find bloggers they like and keep coming back to see what they have to say. That's why I bookmarked your blog after Stylus broke up (R.I.P.) - Cosmo, you were one of my favorite reviewers over there. If you start getting a bunch of reviewers, your blog will start to lose it's personality. Just one man's opinion...but I'm right!
Keep up the great work, Cosmo! Been reading this blog from day one, and it's been cool seeing its reputation in the metal community grow.
Though I certainly empathize with your having to wade through so many CDs, MySpace pages, and mp3s, AND THEN write thoughtful, lucid reviews on a daily basis. It's a tough slog, but your efforts have not gone unappreciated!
I started visiting this site over a year ago, and it's become just as much of my daily ritual as my morning shower and cup of coffee. You're one of the finest writers out there, Cosmo - even your Pitchfork reviews stand in stark contrast to their peers for their directness and lack of pretension. I've discovered more great metal through IO than any other. Don't change a thing, just keep up the stellar work. So many of us are enormously grateful for it.
I echo the gratitude expressed by the others here. Cosmo, your work is really great and does a real service to the metal community.
I would not suggest any significant changes, although I guess I'd personally prefer a tad less black metal (or BM-derived stuff) in the mix. But hey, whatever, it's your blog and your vision. I'm just along for the ride.
Thanks again.
Oh, you know what - I guess I do have a small recommendation...
Is there any way you can embed in the coding of your mp3s the name of your site (perhaps in the "composer" line)? That would be really cool so that I could easily keep track of all the great bands in my collection for which you are responsible.
First of all, congratulations on turning the big oh-two, and though I'm fearful of sounding like some over-eager-to-please fanboy, I must say Invisible Oranges is the place for metal blogging (with honorable mentions to Aversionline.com and Itmifpitw.com). I find that your coverage of metal is great and diverse covering many new bands and getting shit I can't find elsewhere. And not to mention that post with Magrudergrind, Chainsaw to the Face, Insect Warfare and Brutal Truth, that made my day.
I can't honestly think of anything to really critique. I guess I just thought you could use some praise. It's not easy keeping up a successful blog as you've stated, just don't go the way of Blodårstid and the myriad other metal blogs that never got to see far beyond their first birthdays.
Would be cool if Mayhem played in your backyard and Atilla wore an orange (citrus) suit. He does have a knack for dressing up in weird costumes.
Haaaappy Anniversary!
I don't like change. Things are nice and simple and clean now, from the design to content.
I presume there is no convenient/plausable way to stream tracks off of the site? For us lazy bums who typically never download from the blog and instead head off to myspace to listen.
You definitely deserve some advertising, so go ahead and muck with the streamlined design there.
I also would suggest that adding more writers is not a good idea. You've got a unique voice here and, well, change is bad! :)
Keep up the terrific work!
Wow, thanks everyone, for the kind words. This site would not continue to exist if it weren't for the readers, so I really appreciate it.
Re: suggestions -
lou: I can put Invisible Oranges into the ID3 tags somewhere. Do you think iTunes (I presume that's what you use)? would pick up such text, or would you find it useful, if I put it into the MP3 comments? I'm reluctant to monkey with the artist/title names, as (1) this site is obviously not the artist or title, and (2) even though no one has complained yet re: the legality of posting MP3's, I'm not sure I want to broadcast that I'm the one doing it.
Also, you're stuck with the black metal ;) If anything, I feel like there's not enough. The challenge, then, is to find something you'll like! I hated black metal for the longest time, but once the switch flipped, I never looked back.
post-felix: there is indeed a way to stream tracks. Just click on the little "play" symbol next to each track title. Your browser will need a Flash plug-in, but that should be a quick download. Let me know if you have issues re: this.
bacon and blastbeats: you have the best name and leave the best comments.
As other commenters have said, if you get a bunch more writers, you dilute your voice. I like reading your reviews. (I like reading Jess's reviews as well, but they're something different, and having more reviewers would just turn the site into a review site rather than a review site written by people I like to read).
I started reading through Floodwatch's site a little less than a year ago and I too have found a lot of great metal album recommendations here. Both new stuff and old stuff, which is really great.
Can I suggest maybe doing a weekly/biweekly/monthly/whatever post collecting the links of the reviews you've done elsewhere? I generally read the posts in Google Reader out of convenience, so I always forget to check your reviews linked in the sidebar.
Happy birthday Invisible Oranges! I was the first commentator I think here, heh.
What I'd like to keep seeing: regular updates. You're one of the most dilligent people after Andrew from Aversionline as far as schedule goes.
What I'd like to see less of: and this might contradict the above: less coverage of IKEA Metal Catalogue, you know what I mean. If there's nothing new-new-fresh-frest to talk about, I'd like to see you and jess just reach into the past and talk about older gems of the genres you're into. Great Heavy Metal is Forever!
I've been a huge fan of your site ever since you first pointed it out to me way back when, so I, too, hope you keep it going just the way you have been so far! No complaints here whatsoever!!!
Keep it up, dude; yours is inspiring...
Congratulations. I visit this site nearly every day and I've bought a few albums after hearing about them here first.
I like helm's idea of reviewing older albums--keeping up on new metal is great, but there's something nice about revisiting old favorites or rescuing great and overlooked bands from obscurity.
Whatever you do, I'm certain this will remain a great blog. I appreciate the work you and Jess put into it.
Hey Cosmo, i'd like to thank you for the support and the great AMG review--I can tell that you really work hard to stay on the cutting edge, because I know that the older one gets, it gets more and more difficult to keep music the top focus--especially when careers, kids, that sort of thing happens.
I do a bit of writing at times for some places, and even did my own website in conjunction with a radio show that I had a few years back. I know that it's alot of time and alot of money at times, but like others have said, you write some of the best reviews out there and i've checked out a few new bands and records because of it. AND you cover a wide variety of heavy music, so it's not just the same genres---in a musical world where everything is so divided and narrowed down (heavy music in the 90's used to have more appeal to different crowds), it's good to see that there's still the coverage of a variety of heavy bands.
Congratz, Cosmo!
I guess I didn't think about the prospect of you getting into hot water by putting your site id in the tags. Probably best to leave it out! Would never want you to get in any sort of trouble for this great service you provide. Forget I mentioned it!
Props to you Cosmo! Seriously, IO is one of the only blogs I visit regularly. I also think you should keep it solo for the most part besides for Jess' contributions. A small wish is a better logo for IO. I'm in the design biz and wish your typeface was a bit more evil. Small gripe, really. Otherwise the simplicity of the page layout makes it easy to read your highly engaging posts. Stay brutal!
Happy 2nd. This is a site that has got me into so many new bands I would have never found on my own. Your reviews are right-on, smart and trustworthy. Also I've bought more music becuase of this site than any other I think. Thanks a lot!
Again, thanks to all for the kind words. I'm surprised and flattered.
joseph: I originally stopped posting links to my off-site work b/c (a) such posts never got good response, and (b) they were egotistical. But, sure, I'll throw in some to collect the links for Google Readers like you.
yellowfever: A more evil logo is definitely in the works. The top site graphic was literally the first thing I ever created in Photoshop, made in about 30 seconds. An improvement is desperately needed. Do you have such skills - or know of anyone who does?
Resolve to change nothing. This blog is the shit.
And I have mad Photoshop skillz. K.I.T.
Cosmo, let me see what I can do for you. I'll send some looks via email when I get something good.
Well, I guess this is as good a time as any to drop my long time lurker status and actually say something. Congrats on the two year anniversary. I've been reading this blog ever since Stylus went under. I always enjoyed your reviews there, as well as your contribution to the Left Hand Path feature. You quickly became my favorite music journalist and to this day I envy your writing (I'd like to ask you for some advice regarding how you got started, but I'll contact you about that privately). I'm almost embarrassed to leave a link to my own blog from this comment because I'm aware of how shit my writing skills are right now, especially compared to yours.
That being said, I wouldn't really change much about what you're doing. Just keep up the good work.
Congrats, brother...
Thanks, U, I appreciate it.
Xoxobra, thanks for the email, I will respond in a bit.
yellowfever - I'm looking forward to what you come up with. Many thanks in advance.
roxy, I love hearing from the one female that reads this blog. If you want to take a stab at a logo or new color scheme or whatever, get at me by email/MySpace, and we can discuss.
We can go to Kuma's.
MMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMmm
I'm actually going there tonight. :D
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