2003-06-18 - 10:13 a.m. Here's a list that's been circulating over the past couple of days, and I think it's a textbook example of how absolutely useless, negative, and close-minded critics can be. So, Mick Jones decided to follow his muse after the Clash broke up, and his band didn't sound like the Clash: good lord he must be condemned! And, of course, if he'd put together another Clash-like band, the critics would have roasted him for that, too. Anyway, my philosophy about criticism (and I have been a critic, so I know this can work) is that is it a powerful medium for illumination, for praise, for introducing the public to worthwhile art. It really can be a positive thing. But the incessent snarkiness and easy cynicism and lazy "So-and-so sounds like So-and-so meets so-and-so..." just pollutes the air. thoughts? (0 comments so far) previous - next blog archive contact