Well, a long, long time ago I wrote only one post of what was supposed to be the first of a semi-regular series, “(Not So) Expert Commentary.” I’ve resurrected it now, with plans to add to it every week or two. Basically, this is where I, rather than the usual posting on new music, look a little deeper into some music topic (my first one a while back was on Kanye West’s appeal with the indie rock community). Today, I was wondering about the ever-changing relationship between blogging and music criticism, and what the future of music criticism will be.
Not too long ago, before the internet changed everything, I remember going to the bookstore to check out various music magazines to see what some of the hot new music was. The magazine critics were the chosen few, the only people able to hear the album before the rest of us could buy it. Their reviews, like edicts decreed from on high, could potentially kill an album, like Weezer’s Pinkerton, which was universally bashed before slowly climbing to become a fan favorite. But then, of course, came the internet and web 2.0- and sites like this one.
So, the real question is, what is the relation between blogger and critic? The usual relationship is that the critic is the (supposedly) trained connoisseur, and the rest of us are considered the masses. But with the rise of sites like Pitchfork and Stereogum, it became obvious that new channels were opening in music criticism. Then, with the rise of the music blog, the floodgates opened. Now, anyone can praise or bash the latest music, and it has caused an explosion of music criticism of all types and quality.
I believe that, for the most part, this is a good thing. Bands can have their careers launched via the blogosphere in a way that completely circumvents the magazine critics, who are often playing catch-up with the web rather than introducing us to the new. Bands like Radiohead and Stars embraced this last year, releasing their albums online and allowing the average Joe to hear their albums at the same time as the critics. Overnight, both albums generated tons of reviews long before any of the established “critics” had a chance to weigh in. I think what this has caused is a shift in critical power, putting it in the hand of the scene rather than a group of self-selected tastemakers.
This all mirrors the shift in power away from the radio that started with Napster, but in this case the blogging world has taken the internet’s power and channeled it. The music blog and the college kid’s midnight album reviews are the new radio and music magazine rolled into one- which is why it is so significant. Even though each blog is usually rather small when one looks at the big picture, together they have been behind the huge surge in popularity experimented by bands like Spoon and Death Cab over the last few years (not to mention having been the main force behind groups like Beirut and Justice). By so many of us taking upon ourselves criticism (even if it is just sharing our opinions in a straightforward way), we are shaping the larger musical landscape bit by bit.
Which, I guess in the end means that all of this rambling has been just to say that we should all just keep blogging hard. Look for the sites that both share your general taste and expose you to new things, support great artists, and comment on people’s posts and let them know you appreciate it. Whether you are a producer or a consumer, support the sites you love and keep them going. It may not seem like much, but we’re making music better, one mp3 at a time. Remember that we, at least as a group, are the most important music critics today.
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thank you for those words.
there’s a saying that goes:
“nothing in the world has meaning except for the meaning we choose to give to it”..
fuckin corny i guess but i cant agree more.
the sanctioned critics of the past whose words used to weigh down on the necks of the world to play catch up is long gone.
The mass of music bloggers contributing and influencing each other one mp3 track at a time is an incredible force that is intangible but keeps me going all the time.
I dont believe that any music blogger can do it alone.
The best thing we can do is be aware of each others contributions and show our appreciation to each other.
so here it is.
i know many pple comment with all biased opinions and their subjective views.
but to those who embrace how the musical landscape is changing..cheers.
This is a really good conclusion. Blogs are truly making there way out there, and there’s no denying it.
I like how you said major critics are now playing “catch up” with the blogosphere much of the time, and it’s certainly true.
The internet is an exciting place, and it’s only going to get better if we allow it to continue its function as a free-flowing ocean of ideas.