In general I can’t shake a sense that how we relate to music is an elephant in the critics’ lounge. I don’t think I’m alone in taking ideas I might use to validate my emotional reaction– innovation, craftsmanship, artistic intent– and turning them into a stand-in for the reaction itself…
–Tom Ewing, “Are the Smiths Funny?”, Pitchfork
Wow. I am so glad to see someone else talk about that kind of thing. For me, the music that means most is inevitably about some kind of emotions tirred.
If it doesn’t move me, then I could care less about innovation or originality. I know there are some critics who get that, but precious damn few.