Let me start by saying I really can't stand Joe Caramanica and I have been an ardent non-supporter of the Smashing Pumpkins since day one, though I have come to truly respect Billy Corgan after watching a number of his interviews on The Maginifcent Others.
All that said, there is a lot to talk about in the brief clip.
"Its the decline of the gatekeeper class and I am laughing as their bodies float down the river because they did it to themselves."
5 comments:
Back in the day, I used to a) tag Jon Caramanica as "America's Most Irksome Rock Critic" and b) dismiss Smashing Pumpkins (who never did it for me) with references to "Billy Corgan's pretentious cue-ball noggin." That said, I think Corgan's on to something in this discussion. 😎
"I'm still one of the best songwriters in the world." Huh.
What I THINK he's getting at (and I agree with) is that the music press has become homogenized into what Billboard used to be - an industry barometer for what was selling units. Which is pop and country; that's what sells units. As a result they've lost whatever made them distinctive and readership declines. basically, the story of Option magazine writ large. back in the day, Paste used to be where you'd go for alt-country if you couldn't get ahold of No Depression. Now their website's a mess as they cover the "culture." Pitchfork once made the Trail of Dead's major label debut the album of the year. Crazy, but ballsy. Now they charge for access. I can't tell you the last time i thumbed thru a Rolling Stone, Spin, Mojo, Q (dead now) or NME.
Agreed, and while snarkiness can be amusing to readers, I doubt it’s appreciated by the target artist who, just like the critic, is trying to sell the work. I doubt “cue-ball noggin’” would be used in a Molly Tuttle review. Sadly, the critics today have little to say that makes sense or helps the reader decide whether or not to spend time or money on the music.
- Paul in DK
Yet another great Reggae album of the week. I just listened to Blackheart Man yesterday. I can’t believe i never heard Protest! Thanks again for the Reggae. Cleveland Jeff
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