Mantra

"The critic points out the unknown and gives perspective to that which is already familiar." - H. Terror Robinson

"For music valuation, search elsewhere. No rating system is adhered to on these pages." - H. Terror Robinson

"Criticism - spoken, written, or otherwise -  is the responsibility of the bitter and frustrated. No one who is able to create originality meddles with passing judgement. Sharing opinion, and further adding importance to the words that make it up, is no more than a cry for attention. Those who cannot do x find an in-roads by expressing y.

"Valid criticisms, however, is worth the trouble. Observations and constructive additions, can be valid; more so outside of an echo chamber. Amazingly, artists can be revered without being worshipped. With regard to music, though, a certain zen curiosity exists: it can only be enjoyed as rapidly as the passage of time. Books can be read at varying speeds. When taking in a painting, for example, a trained eye may relish a longer exposure time than the cornea of an amateur.  But not unlike film and their respective director, a music audience is at the mercy of the composer. Unique speeds may be selected, and certain portions willfully set-aside, in order to enjoy the piece as a whole, though, it must be taken as just that...whole. So why bother spending limited time on something less than enjoyable?"

First, regardless of of appearance, all music is good. No exception exists. Art is meant to be enjoyed. Music, it can be said, is auditory art. Therefore, music is meant to be enjoyed; and aside from the phenomenon of 'hate-consuming,' stands true. But much like language, reality is much more nuanced. The ability to speak a linguistic phrase, generate any utterance, does not equate to proficiency. The inability to speak a second language as well as a native might does not, however, make this new means of expression inferior. Instead, the problem at hand akin to user-error.

"Second, each language has different registers. Music - created by notes, expressed in time, and organized to taste - does not have inherent meaning. Brown-note aside, no single musical sound possesses definition. Composers and performers may add inflection, giving their creation an implied meaning in the process, but this definition on functions in context. Similarly, while speaking to a child and a pet may often involve the same words,  it is by no means recommended. Tone, body expression, and message vary. Essentially, each venue possesses its own rules. Which is to say, rock and hip-hop, classical and jazz, dance or experimental, no one style is superior to another. Each is constructed with the same base elements, and while they vary is tools of the trade, genetic qualities undeniably different, the end product is by and large the same: music

"Personal preferences vary from person to person. Tastes unique to an individual, and thus the the Venn-diagram of 'good' and 'enjoyable' may not intersect. Determining what elements allow any piece to qualify as 'good' or 'enjoyable' is only half the battle...finding a community to share these findings with is the rest."

- JN

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