I like the fRoots reviews, including the negative ones. The tendency in the folk world to be positive and encouraging to every beginner that should have spent more time practicing first gets really old, especially for those of us who DO put in the time to get past the amateurish mistakes. I agree that reviews should be looked at as window-opening rather than gate-keeping.

One thing I do have quibble with is the policy of generally not accepting short-run CDRs. Given the economic realities of playing folk music professionally, this does come across as gate-keeping. What, musicians who can't afford big production runs aren't as good musically or at making albums or are in some way less important? If it's just a matter of limiting the volume somewhere, why not toss out the albums from the major record companies that everyone can find anywhere?