The capsule summary of their new Live in New York review:
"The much-maligned band makes a case for itself on this sprawling 6xCD collection..."
In the actual review we discover that in Pitchfork-land the Doors are "less hip than Journey."
The Doors are much-maligned and less hip than Journey? And they're going to redeem themselves with a six CD live box set?
I'm not convinced.
Yeah, my newest problem with Pitchfork is that they have to start every review (and even some of their news articles) with some kind of "Pitchfork 101," giving us their version of the history of an artist, and then telling us where this artist falls on their coolness meter. I think they're letting their so-called "tastemaker" status go to their heads a little.
ReplyDeleteYou can really see it in this short Peter Gabriel article. Before they get to the news they have to qualify it with a pretentious history lesson. It's almost like they're afraid of getting made fun of for reporting on Peter Gabriel (or the Doors, etc) and have to justify it in advance... it comes off as insecurity more than anything else.
Your "newest" problem with Pitchfork? When have they not done this? For that matter, when has any music/film/literary critic not done this? 95% of all art critics come off as insecure if you ask me. That's why I like the All Music Guide; Erlewine and Unterberger seem like some of the most secure rock critics around. Oh, and us, of course. Hell, if you want to talk about "uncool," I am a person who prefers Phil Collins over Peter Gabriel. Pitchfork I just blew your mind!
ReplyDeleteI think the reason Pitchfork thinks that the Doors are less hip than Journey is because of the use of Journey songs in a number of recent pop culture shows (Soprano's and Glee). In fact, there was a whole article a few months ago in the San Jose Mercury about the comeback of "Don't stop believin'" (even Kanye sings it as his concerts apparently), but unfortunately the article has been removed from the Mercury's website.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, I just don't read Pitchfork at all. It's just too hipster for me. I prefer AMG.