Pronounced Dead: The Art of Cultural Assassination
Two critical catfights are claiming to have buried art-forms which have shaped our civilisation for decades and centuries apiece. Are they entitled to do that?
music criticism
EMP’s Pop Conference Goes Mobile and Returns Home
In its 13th year, the Pop Conference offered more exciting ideas about music and mobility than you could shake a walking stick at.
Jody Rosen vs. Ted Gioia, and the Advent of New Fogeyism
Ted Gioia's piece "Music Criticism Has Degenerated Into Lifestyle Reporting" spread like wildfire, and Jody Rosen's response was equally compelling. While the debate rages on, these two critical titans are highlighting a changing of the critical guard that is happening slowly and begrudgingly.
The Year of the Overnight Release: How Much Time Should a Critic Get?
Given the anticipation level and lack of pre-release availability, Yeezus offered a perfect test case for the nagging question: How has the model of digital media changed the amount of time music critics spend with the records they’re assessing?