[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> .... can I inquire about something that puzzles me from time to time? How
come we (the
> collective P2 mindset, that is, and maybe most serious music fans in
general)
> are quick to slay these writers for their professional opinions every time
> we see them but then, at year end, for example, we jump at the chance to
play
> critic and divulge our own top tens ....
Cause we're just smarter than they are. Naw, I think Neal's gotta
point, most of these guys like Kot write with a broad "critic-at-large"
viewfinder on, and it is somewhat unfair to expect them to perform with
incisive insight on every genre. I mean, they have to keep up with a lot more
stuff than a lot of us on P2 do, most of us having an alt.country, roots rock,
and maybe "contemporary folk"-heavy perspective <g>. I mean, I know I try to
read and listen and follow the industry on a much broader scale than that, but
reality is I pretty much can't or don't, especially as a non-weasel.
Still, I think Jon's got a point on the near-total lack of country stuff,
hell-even Rolling Stone regularly reviews a lot of mainstream country records.
And I'll personally let Kot have it for not having any Earle, Yoakum, Emmylou,
or Uncle Tupelo, especially with some of the silly stuff he did have on there.
I'm really not upset that he doesn't have any bluegrass or "deep folk", I mean
he obviously has to keep up with an awful lot of stuff. What I can't figger
out is why Kot did this this early in the year, he's sure to miss some darn
good records, even if I can't right now think of what they might be.
Sadly (and tho this will have to be the subject of another post, from a
purely "Kot-ian" perspective), I can't agree it's been a great decade for
music. Good, interesting, but from a purely "songwriting" perspective, not
great. I'd rank it certainly behind all the others going back to the fifties
(60's first, then 50's, 70's, 80's and 90's). And tho this is surely a
subjective opinion, I'd give "alt. country", folk, and roots-rock artists
(many of those I listed above as well Alvin, Welch, Lucinda, Buckner, DeMent
etc etc.) a lot of the credit for doing the heavy lifting as far as good
songwriting goes for this decade (even tho I will concede "alt.country" is
overrated as a genre, but not an idea.))
There. Did I cover enough shit in that post??? (;-))
> Professionally and defensively yours,
Aww, go back and eat your Kaballah. I'll have mine with lox and cream
cheese. Egg bagel.
<g>
dan
