Identities tend to crumble to dust unless they are reinforced on a regular basis. And music is involved in that process. We listen to a song hundred or thousand times. It becomes a part of our identities. As a consequence when a music critic makes a derogatory remark about that song, it seems that he is not only attacking the song, but ourselves as well.
This is why being a music critic is such a delicate job! It is also the reason why a critic should write in the first person so the readers may know where his taste-preference lies. Writing in the first person is “autobiographical music criticsm and it helps make the readers “aware that the music critic’s position of authority does not make her or him an arbiter of absolute taste. In this sense, autobiographical music criticism can be described as “consciousness-raising.”
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August 9th, 2007 at 12:18 am
Yes, I agree. I have to play the role of music critic for my school newspaper, but since no one really is interested in suggesting artists to write about, I tend to just beam about whomever comes to mind, and most always in the first person. I tend to just be very passionate as the article suggests, rather than be derogatory to other’s taste, but it makes me feel like my writing is a one-sided glorification of everything. The point though is that it seems silly to write other than the first person in musical criticism; it wouldn’t read very well anyway.
People are always surprised whenever I don’t react defensively when they badmouth an artist or musician I like. I just remain surprised that they would think one opinion would get under my skin. In other words, I just don’t freak out when people say, “[So-and-so] is a sell-out.” Whoop-dee-doo.
August 9th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Thanks for the last 2 insights on music their very fascinating. I think people as you said react to music critics so strong because it comes such a part of them or becomes a sort of soundtrack to periods in their lives, I know the teenage years are well known for this. I think the best way for critics is to provide good back up in why they feel a certin way about music and why it deserves praise. I think a good bit of it comes to knowing music history and being fair to all artist form multi-platinum to underground. Really I think its as Tenacious D said when singing about the greatest song in the world “It’s just a matter of opinion”.
August 10th, 2007 at 9:49 am
Honestly I never read music critic stuff. Well except that of the amazing Beketaten aka Juliet ( You and I am sure some here know who you are ). It’s not that I don’t believe that there are great critics like the fore mentioned. It is more a matter of a subconcious soft spot in my head. Meaning, even if I totally disagree with a critic, once they have spoken their piece it seems inevitable that some of what they say will stick in my head. On occasion it has made for unenjoyable experience of music which I truly adore. Though rarely. I guess what I am not stating so well is that I truly enjoy listening to music with absolutely no preconceptions. I have listened to some of the most complex musically “genius” pieces and thought they were boring. and on the other hand I have listened to the most simple 4 beat structures with two chords, and felt it was the most beautiful music at that moment. If I read some critics review before hand, as strong minded as I consider myself, I fear it can force a prejudgment which clouds the reality of the song. Geeze that was a mouthful. Was it all crap, or did I make sense???
P.S. anyone interested in Icelandic translation, I posted a comment on that earlier thread about a little device called a Genius. Go there if you would like to know.
August 11th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Sometimes I’m interested in reading music/album reviews by critics, but I don’t take them seriously or get defensive if one critic say “so and so is a sellout” or “so and so made a poor album.” At the end of the day, it’s about what i like and how that artists’ music inspires me.
August 12th, 2007 at 11:18 am
i put a lot of effort into *NOT* reading reviews until i experience something for myself.
i dont want to taint the experience with anyone else’s filter.
i like to find the magic on my own!
August 24th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
excactly n69n