still, theclock is onto something. he might be a bit too outspoken or abrasive about it, but i'm guessing he's just a bit jaded from people asking those questions... AND actually having people who think they can answer.
i think James Holden put it nicely in one of the posts on his website:
18.10.06
Lately we've been talking a lot in the bc office (ie our sitting room) about how people making music get influenced by the feedback they get. It comes up a lot with the nearly-there cds in the demo pile - how can you communicate help to someone without squashing their individuality? So many of the not-good demo cds are not-good because they only sound like someone trying to get signed, trying to make what they think a label or a dj or the general public want. This is pure foolishness.
Worse, however, is this. Please read and disregard, entirely.
Music isn't made to order, by committee (exceptions from communist china and major labels don't count, because they are awful). And the idea that music can be constructed from popular memes from the scene is the reason that dance music evolves so painfully slowly. The waves of novelty and rejuvenation never come from people trying to use 'the formula' or fit in, but from the malcontents trying to do it their way.
So, demo-senders, in the spirit of the above, here are the rules for any demos you might send to bc:
1. You must have a personality. And a soul.
2.
That's all.
PS: no offence meant to the foem people, what they do is admirable..