I've been giving this very topic a lot of thought lately—the role of a music critic—and how it's quite uncommon these days to find much in the way of actual criticism in album reviews. Undoubtedly, this train of thought was inspired after I came across Larson's Måneskin review last week.
I had purposely avoided listening to Måneskin. Their terrible cover of "Beggin" had been all over radio to the point of being inescapable, and every time I heard any part of it, I couldn't change the station quickly enough. I found the singer's voice and general affect to be grating, unbearable. And, at some point, I saw them perform on some late night show which only served to confirm my initial impression that they were awful.
Then came Larson's review, which really stuck the landing for me. He'd managed to give voice, often in a side-splittingly hilarious way, to exactly what I felt about them. That line about Buffalo Wild Wings was—chef's kiss—perfection.
In a way, it reminded me of Robert Christgau, who for over forty (fifty?) years now, has plainly given zero fucks about who he offended or how deeply he offended them. He may not have always been right (in my opinion) but one could never say that the man wasn't brutally honest.
There's an artist right now whose work I have long loved and adored, but they recently released an album (or two) which I've found downright terrible. I want to write about how bad they are, from concept to execution, but I don't know if I have the balls to do it because I'm still hoping to meet this guy someday and I'd hate to feel less than approachable should that ever happen.
The majority of my own reviews are positive. I suppose I was thinking that I only wanted to write about music I like, love, find inspiring, etc. but I now feel like maybe Larson has opened a portal to another, more critical, brutally honest world, and perhaps I want to look at some future work through just such a lens.
Hell, I have entire drafts waiting to be finished in which I rip apart some bands that have rabid cult-like fanbases. I know very well they are gonna come after me once I publish these pieces, so I want to be prepared for that.
Didn't you allude to an occasion (or two) where you made someone mad with one of your reviews? How do you handle that?
Anyway, I'm tired (thanks Ambien) and rambling (also, thanks Ambien) but I think you see what I'm getting at here. Perhaps it's time that criticism take a more critical stance, embracing brutal honesty, even when—no, especially when—it's not gonna get you great seats at the venue, or it won't get you invited to the cool parties or whatever.
At the end of the day, it's best to be true to yourself as a writer, and so if "pulling a Larsen or a Christgau" on someone is what that looks like, then I guess that's what we should do.
Again, I've rambled here, but would love to get your feedback and learn more about where you stand on this. I just discovered your writing and then found your Substack which I'm pleased to see you've created. Mine was an instant subscribe.
Thank you for doing this. I'll be looking forward to reading everything you publish here. My eyes are already set on your piece about award shows and their lack of metal. I'd even be happy to cross-promo your newsletter in mine. I believe I started recommending yours as soon as I signed up.
I've been giving this very topic a lot of thought lately—the role of a music critic—and how it's quite uncommon these days to find much in the way of actual criticism in album reviews. Undoubtedly, this train of thought was inspired after I came across Larson's Måneskin review last week.
I had purposely avoided listening to Måneskin. Their terrible cover of "Beggin" had been all over radio to the point of being inescapable, and every time I heard any part of it, I couldn't change the station quickly enough. I found the singer's voice and general affect to be grating, unbearable. And, at some point, I saw them perform on some late night show which only served to confirm my initial impression that they were awful.
Then came Larson's review, which really stuck the landing for me. He'd managed to give voice, often in a side-splittingly hilarious way, to exactly what I felt about them. That line about Buffalo Wild Wings was—chef's kiss—perfection.
In a way, it reminded me of Robert Christgau, who for over forty (fifty?) years now, has plainly given zero fucks about who he offended or how deeply he offended them. He may not have always been right (in my opinion) but one could never say that the man wasn't brutally honest.
There's an artist right now whose work I have long loved and adored, but they recently released an album (or two) which I've found downright terrible. I want to write about how bad they are, from concept to execution, but I don't know if I have the balls to do it because I'm still hoping to meet this guy someday and I'd hate to feel less than approachable should that ever happen.
The majority of my own reviews are positive. I suppose I was thinking that I only wanted to write about music I like, love, find inspiring, etc. but I now feel like maybe Larson has opened a portal to another, more critical, brutally honest world, and perhaps I want to look at some future work through just such a lens.
Hell, I have entire drafts waiting to be finished in which I rip apart some bands that have rabid cult-like fanbases. I know very well they are gonna come after me once I publish these pieces, so I want to be prepared for that.
Didn't you allude to an occasion (or two) where you made someone mad with one of your reviews? How do you handle that?
Anyway, I'm tired (thanks Ambien) and rambling (also, thanks Ambien) but I think you see what I'm getting at here. Perhaps it's time that criticism take a more critical stance, embracing brutal honesty, even when—no, especially when—it's not gonna get you great seats at the venue, or it won't get you invited to the cool parties or whatever.
At the end of the day, it's best to be true to yourself as a writer, and so if "pulling a Larsen or a Christgau" on someone is what that looks like, then I guess that's what we should do.
Again, I've rambled here, but would love to get your feedback and learn more about where you stand on this. I just discovered your writing and then found your Substack which I'm pleased to see you've created. Mine was an instant subscribe.
Thank you for doing this. I'll be looking forward to reading everything you publish here. My eyes are already set on your piece about award shows and their lack of metal. I'd even be happy to cross-promo your newsletter in mine. I believe I started recommending yours as soon as I signed up.
Anyway, welcome! So happy you're here. :)