Grade Post

Before November 2020 grades were from 3.5 stars (B+ equivalent) to 5 stars (A+ equivalent) in half star increments. Letter grade equivalents were not noted at that time. This system did not allow for 3.75, 4.25, or 4.75 stars, which is why the new system was developed based on number grades from 7 to 10 in half digit increments. [I do translate old star grades to their number/letter grade equivalents (by simply doubling the number and adding the letter equivalent) when I see them and am inspired to do so. In such cases, I don't always consider whether to upgrade 3.5 stars to 7.5 (high B+), 4 stars to 8.5 (high A-), or 4.5 stars to to 9.5 (high A).]

In the new system, number grades in half digit increments are noted, with their letter grade equivalents in parentheses. No grades are assigned below 7 (B+). So:

    10 (A+)
    9.5 (high A)

    9 (A)

    8.5 (high A-)

    8 (A-)

    7.5 (high B+)

    7 (B+)

For albums below 7 (B+), the post title will say:

    liked*, with a :-) in the body of the post or other text [equivalent to 6.5 or low B+]

    nothing or neutral, with a :-| in the body of the post or other text [equivalent to 6 or B]

    nothing or disliked, with a :-( in the body of the post or other text [from 0 to 5.5 or from F to B-]

      *originally "honorable mention" (and still remains so in some posts before 11/24)

The # symbol in the body of a post signifies that the album is in a genre that is not collected at grades below 8 (A-) (or even at 8 (A-) for overpriced imports), unless it does extremely well in the polls or for some other reason noted in the post. The perceived genre is specified in brackets following the # symbol. Otherwise, all graded albums are collected, unless they are OOP, selling for ridiculous/import prices, and/or digital/vinyl only, etc.

I generally will physicalize a digital- or vinyl-only release with a grade of 8.5 (high A-) or 9 (A) or above.

I got so many hateful comments about "honorable mention" entries [e.g., "How about my dick give you an honorable mention?"] that I changed it in very late 2024 to "liked". I will change prior "honorable mentions" to "liked" as time allows and as people spew hateful comments on particular entries. Not trying to offend anyone, just document what I think about the music I listen to so carefully.