Comments on: NPR Names the Best Music of the Year (so far), Why Music Magazines Are Dying http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2009/07/28/npr-names-the-best-music-of-the-year-so-far-why-music-magazines-are-dying/ News and Criticism on D.C. and Beyond Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:17:54 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: six pack exercises http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2009/07/28/npr-names-the-best-music-of-the-year-so-far-why-music-magazines-are-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-32744 six pack exercises Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:35:12 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/blackplasticbag/?p=8667#comment-32744 I just now realize that I have to learn alot. you are a genius. I just now realize that I have to learn alot. you are a genius.

]]> By: NPR Names the Best Music of the Year (so far), Why Music Magazines … | Wildtonemusic http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2009/07/28/npr-names-the-best-music-of-the-year-so-far-why-music-magazines-are-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-29956 NPR Names the Best Music of the Year (so far), Why Music Magazines … | Wildtonemusic Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:21:11 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/blackplasticbag/?p=8667#comment-29956 [...] here to read the rest: NPR Names the Best Music of the Year (so far), Why Music Magazines … Posted in Music Videos, Talk About Music | July 28th, 2009 Leave a [...] [...] here to read the rest: NPR Names the Best Music of the Year (so far), Why Music Magazines … Posted in Music Videos, Talk About Music | July 28th, 2009 Leave a [...]

]]> By: Steve Kolowich http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2009/07/28/npr-names-the-best-music-of-the-year-so-far-why-music-magazines-are-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-29954 Steve Kolowich Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:08:49 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/blackplasticbag/?p=8667#comment-29954 Further research reveals that eight out of the first nine songs on that NPR list were released as singles...including all of the Top 5... Further research reveals that eight out of the first nine songs on that NPR list were released as singles...including all of the Top 5...

]]> By: C-Mon http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2009/07/28/npr-names-the-best-music-of-the-year-so-far-why-music-magazines-are-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-29953 C-Mon Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:03:31 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/blackplasticbag/?p=8667#comment-29953 interesting post... music mags could be choking due to a coupla other factors as well. 1) that a lot of music mags (like mags in general) cover music marketing, not music. and, in my mind, people are tired of it... (just look at rolling stone cover stories as evidence in this case.) 2) a lot of criticism is kinda navel-gazey, an opportunity to throw references to lots of obscure bands than to say something interesting about the experience of the music or what it represents within a broader cultural context... music is not alone in this. it happens in every other cultural arena, especially fine art... interesting post... music mags could be choking due to a coupla other factors as well.
1) that a lot of music mags (like mags in general) cover music marketing, not music. and, in my mind, people are tired of it... (just look at rolling stone cover stories as evidence in this case.)
2) a lot of criticism is kinda navel-gazey, an opportunity to throw references to lots of obscure bands than to say something interesting about the experience of the music or what it represents within a broader cultural context... music is not alone in this. it happens in every other cultural arena, especially fine art...

]]> By: Steve Kolowich http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2009/07/28/npr-names-the-best-music-of-the-year-so-far-why-music-magazines-are-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-29952 Steve Kolowich Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:39:43 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/blackplasticbag/?p=8667#comment-29952 Nice points, Mike. I noticed that while the Decemberists' album landed at No. 2 in the rankings, the top vote-getting song from that album was "The Rake's Song," which happened to be the single. I acknowledge that music appreciation is a subjective exercise ("How can it be BULLSHIT to state a PREFERENCE???"), but that "The Rake's Song" was the worst track on that album might be as close to an objective truth as you'll find. My guess is the label chose it as the single simply because The Hazards of Love is an opera, and "The Rake's Song" required the least context. The NPR listeners clearly heard the whole album. Does their faith in the single reflect a faith in the label that chose to highlight it? Or does it merely reflect a difference between their tastes and mine? Nice points, Mike.

I noticed that while the Decemberists' album landed at No. 2 in the rankings, the top vote-getting song from that album was "The Rake's Song," which happened to be the single.

I acknowledge that music appreciation is a subjective exercise ("How can it be BULLSHIT to state a PREFERENCE???"), but that "The Rake's Song" was the worst track on that album might be as close to an objective truth as you'll find. My guess is the label chose it as the single simply because The Hazards of Love is an opera, and "The Rake's Song" required the least context.

The NPR listeners clearly heard the whole album. Does their faith in the single reflect a faith in the label that chose to highlight it? Or does it merely reflect a difference between their tastes and mine?

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