School of Rock @ WCCBUS
Mrs. Dr. J and I are in Columbus today to learn about Word Press and more for this ‘ol blog we do for the School of Rock w/ Dr. J show! We are excited to learn ways to make the show and blog better.
Stay tuned sports fans.
Drew Murkin Studio Appearance
Join with us in thanking Drew Murkin for playing and hanging out in the WUDR Studios! Special points to him for playing one of our favorites “Moonshine.” Thanks for that Man!
You can find info on Drew at his website: http://www.myspace.com/deadcitydrifters
Do Music Critics Matter Anymore?
How often do we hear about some music critics (Dr. Mrs. J and myself included in that illustrious company) are really not excited about most music that they hear yet still write a review of an album or a song? You read the review and you are not sure if they even liked the music. All too often critics write a review that vacillates wildly between either “hated it” or “loved it.” Its the shades of gray that matter. Not the already know it approach… remember when the ‘Mats made fun of the bands that “played ball” – Saw Your Video!
We disagree with those that say that a particular genre or style of music power “doesn’t even have a market” or “doesn’t even measure up enough to have
a fan festival.” There is music that moves you and well, music that moves you less. But for every song, band, musician, artist that we don’t like… and there are many… there is great undiscovered music that compels you to shake your groove thang. So, don’t care if it is critically accepted. Enjoy the music.
Anyone remember when MTV (then the MTVs) Vh1, Fuse, Direct Music, and many more showed videos and profiled music not some strange collection of odd bits and pieces to see if anything sticks. They don’t care about music they care about viewers, and perhaps that is why critics are becoming increasingly irrelevant.
No one listen’s to the Dean of critics anymore, if they ever did in the first place. Although we remember the glory days of critical writing in Creem magazine, Crawdaddy, early Spin, early and mid period Rolling Stone before corporate profit became the central concern instead of the music. Maybe Pitchfork, Magnet, and a few others can keep the critical bonfires burning but is anyone reading? More importantly is anyone being moved to listen and enjoy music because of it?
Most of the music that matters today has an underground fan base — and being such means it’s only noticed by mainstream music media, when a group has a gimmick (Gwar) or growing fan base (Tinted Windows), cool video (Uh OK) gets together.
As pop music falls lower and lower on the American cultural barometer, less time, concern, and space is being given to it by both print and Television. The salvation might be the independent and progressive blogs which mix culture, passion, politics, and music. These websites remain one of the best places to find recommendations on new and indie music.
Maybe the critics can join the conversation? Except they are going to have to realize that they are just one voice in the choir.
