Today's Music Critics

Ramblus 4, Rantus 1

from JoeUser Forums
This has been on my mind for some time, and it really isn't limited to music, but since I'm a musician, I only directly experience this perspective. The other perspectives, in painting, sculpting, architecture, or drumming, for instance, (yes, the last is a joke between myself and my drummer buddies), are simply translations of the idea, if you will.

I'm trying to figure out the best way to put this without offending people, but I'm afraid it may not be possible, so I'll just blurt it out.

Please stop telling me that "Sucking the Vitreous out of a Dog's Eyeball" (or fill in the mental detritus, here) is a great song if you can't tell me a reason beyond "Because, dude, they rock, and that guitar guy had a razorblade implanted in his right eye, so like, huh huh, his music is so k-you-elll, and well...everyone knows Phukstick is a great band, don't they? (If you're currently saying "Haha...you know, that would be a GREAT name for a band", you need to please stop reading this and walk away quietly.)

If you want to criticize music, JoeListener, please delineate between the creativity required to do a thing, and the entertainment value you take from it, because there's a great big wide black line between those two places. And then, after you've admitted the existence of the line, please stay on your side of it. Pick which group you are in.

Group A: I like that song because it's getting played in all the clubs, I've seen it a lot on MTV, and everyone knows JoeRockStar is great.
Group B: That song was cool because of the use of hemiolas in the guitar solo, and I particularly liked the occasional use of the sharp 9 on the Five chord in the bridge.

Now that you've picked, just admit it...to yourself, and have a little respect for the people in group B, some of whom paid thousands of dollars to be ignored, ridiculed, and get paid less than people that move piles of dirt around. Is that so much to ask? *Dodges a thrown rock and sighs*

Probably.

art
5,240 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Group C: Non-Musically inclined listeners with good appreciation

"I love that song cause the whole thing is so tight. The voice effects almost become part of the music and the whole thing leaves you with a feeling of ____"

This is me :)
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
I think I understand what you mean. Since I am not a musician and have no real knowledge of music other than parts of its history, it would mean I would belong to group A, because the only thing I can say about the music I like is that it makes me feel good, or it gives me another feeling that I enjoy.

But, I am sorry. Although I think that I understand what you mean, I do not agree. I have same problem as you. I am not really able to tell my view gently either. Sorry again.

I have to change the example now. Sorry mr. Razor, but skinning is something I think I know something about. I leave the music to you. On one hand we would have the skinners and the ones that understand their techniques in group B. The others in group A. Hmmm. Thinking about that, I am not so sure. I think some skinners don't know what they are doing. We also have the ones that want to be a skinner. Some of them can open a graphics program and create a skin that works and it even looks good. The next thing they do is to flood us with their "great" skins. One after the other. One can see parts being reused. One can see that it is made in a rush. One can see that the styles do not match. One can see that there is no creativity. One can see that on a technical level it is taken from another skinner. Etc., etc. But if they can create a cult audience in the process, does that make them good skinners? They sure will generate a lot of downloads. Those are the ones that make me sick...

I will be hunted down if I speak my mind about it in public. After all, there are thousands of people that do love that skinner. They are not really interested in my truth and couldn't care less no matter how right I am. And I think a true skinner isn't interested in a critic. The skinner is interested in someone who helps them with advice to make his or her next master piece. And if that is done by a "critic" then so be it. For all I care it could be JoeDownloader giving that good advice. The general public is smart enough to decide for themselves what they like or not. Do not assume the general public is stupid cattle, because they speak in a tone you don't like or don't want to hear.
Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Well you hit the proverbial nail on the head. So suppose now, after you have put in the time you believe is required to really do it "right" (arguable whatever that is), that I come along, with absolutely zero knowledge of skinning and say "Haha...dude, your skins suck."

My original blog was an attempt (a poor one) for people to change their statements to show a little more human respect for the people that learn to do something well.

I think non skinners should respect that you have spent some time becoming proficient.

I never meant to criticize the public as cattle, and if that is how more readers took it, I apologize. You can listen to whoever you like, obviously. But if you are to talk about the quality of the music itself, I think you should have certain tools to do it.

Unless you'd feel comfortable having a Lithuanian grade your English papers, or
A construction worker perform your child's appendectomy, or
Bozo the Clown replacing the carburetor in your car...

I mean if professional knowledge has nothing to do with the actual quality of the product, then you wouldn't mind that, right?
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
If someone rudely comments on a skin at WinCustomize for an example then moderators will remove it. And that's something I agree with. That "critic" has no idea what is involved in making a skin. However, it is obvious that he or she doesn't like it.

I know that you didn't mean to describe the general public as cattle, although I have the impression that the general public is often treated like that. But that's another topic. I had the impression you did the same by describing your groups A and B. If there are only wto groups then I if I cannot belong to group A then I must belong to group A. So, JermeyG's group C must exist too, because I don't really feel a member of group A.

How about this. I love funk music (Parliament, Funkadelic, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, ect.). Lots of rock fans hate it. They cannot describe why or give very odd reasons why they hate it, but they sure won't buy it. I sure do not feel enlightened why I love it, because I am sure if my reasons to love it are that logical either.

But I agree, it would be cool if people where a little less rude.

Maybe (modern) music and other "art" should be more taken more serious at school. We in the Netherlands are trying to do that, but there are not enough teachers trained to do so (not in my time anyway). Not sure of the situation in the US is ny better.

On the other hand if there is a "professional" critic working for a music magazine then I see your point more clearly. He or she should at least have knowledge about the subject and more or less be objective about that line of work.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Correction...

If there are only two groups then if I cannot belong to group B then I must belong to group A.

I wish I could edit my posts. ;)
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hey. Cool post. I studied music at "A" Level (UK exam-y thingy) and got an A for it, so you'd think I would be able to describe WHY I like the music I like without resorting to "Cos it's cool, dude. And it's number one in the charts!" or whatever. But I can't! I did once know the name of that thing you do when you change from minor to major at the end of piece. Oh! Tierce de Piccardy!! Probably spelt wrong though. Cool - I know more than I thought! I tend to describe why I like my music in terms of good/close harmonies, with decent melodies, and a good base line, but that's about it these days. I wish I could say more about the chords used, but I was never one for that... Soaring strings - now that's something that nearly always gets me. Is that allowed? And NEVER synthesised instruments!!!

lol

H
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
I like tis article because I see Grop A and B as being exaggerated stereotypes used to make a point. Too many music reviewers do not explain why they like music. I read a review today of a show on TV tonight. I got angry because I didn't agree with his opinions. But the point was, it was a good article, because he explained why he has those opinions. The show features a panel, including the Dalai Lama talking about the pursuit of happiness. The reviewer annoyed me because he went on about how he would have liked a more in-depth scientific discussion of the progress made in neuro-science. That was a good thing. He reveiwed what the show did well, and revelaed his bias. I am more interested in the spiritual side, and was able to make a judgment from his article whether or not the show actually deals with the spiritual side enough. Apparently, the Dalai Lama doesn't get to speak very often, so it won't meet my needs either. That is the essence of a good review.

I hope then that I justified my point well enough in my Buble article, even if you disagree with me.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
Left you a response there, CS. No disagreement, really, just a classic misunderstanding caused by the way I write. But you can read all about it there

This particular article was spawned as a result of a person who used to do a Music Critic piece every week and clearly didn't have any concept whatsoever of what she was talking about. For the record