The Village Voice Breaks Up With Robert Christgau
A few weeks ago, I wrote about my life-long love of the writing of music critic Robert Christgau. One of the points of the piece was that I still looked forward to reading his monthly Consumer Guide on the Village Voice website.
Well, not so much anymore, as the news has come down that the Village Voice — or corporation that owns the Village Voice, as well as a bunch of other “Alternative Newsweeklies” — has given Christgau his walking papers.
I’m sure that I speak for an ever-smaller group of music geeks when I say this:
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
There, that was mature.
In a great piece in Slate, Jody Rosen summed up Christgau’s influence perfectly:
With Pauline Kael, Christgau is arguably one of the two most important American mass-culture critics of the second half of the 20th century—yet he’s devoted the majority of his working life to fashioning 100-word blurbs with letter grades. He’s a public intellectual who unwittingly invented the reviews section of Entertainment Weekly.
That might be seen as damming with faint praise, but I don’t think so: you can blame Led Zeppelin for Whitesnake and you can blame Nirvana for Silverchair but that doesn’t make Led Zeppelin or Nirvana any less great. As a matter of fact, I think that it makes them greater. Same with Christgau: he never fell into the same “summarize as review” trap that nearly everybody else who took up the grading format. In other words, his actual words always did the heavy lifting, not the grade itself.
In a year where the role of the critic of all stripes has been seriously questioned, this comes as a great blow to those of us who believe that music, book, film, theatre, etc. criticism still has a place in a Long Tail world.
Perhaps not as godlike authorities, but I’ve never felt that critics were godlike authorites: I’ve always found the ones whose voices I liked, whose opinions I respected, and — most importantly — who can turn me on to something that I otherwise would have missed.
At best, the critics I like give me insight I might otherwise have missed; at worse, they piss me off because they don’t get the beauty I’m hearing. Either way, I’m thinking slightly differently about something I may have already thought I’d figured out.
And surely the world needs people who are theoretically paid to think about this stuff all of the time?
For his part, I can’t imagine that Christgau won’t get someone else to publish the Consumer Guide: maybe someplace like Harp or one of the Brit mags, like Mojo or Uncut. Or how about Pitchfork? Wherever he ends up, I’ll be looking forward to his takes on Modern Times, I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass and Boys and Girls in America.
I also wonder how often I’m going to go back to the Voice website: for the past few years, I’ve only been checking there to see if Christgau has something new up. Sigh, I guess I can cross that from my weekly to-do list.
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25 Comment(s) so far
1. John R wrote on September 6th, 2006 at 5:27 am
He just had his 65th birthday he might try retirement. I’m sure if he wants to continue writing he will have many offers. I love his web site and hope he continues the year-end critics poll. He will probably give Dylan a A-, the Hold Steady a B+, and Yo La Tengo ** .
2. Jamey wrote on April 19th, 2007 at 7:38 am
I’ve read many of R. Christgau’s reviews and I can’t say that he is as good as you say he is. Matter of fact…every review that I have read, I disagree with. I would be happy to hear that his career in reviewing music is over with.
3. John B wrote on July 12th, 2007 at 9:04 am
I say good riddance. I have read a lot of his reviews, particularly his reggae album reviews, and he lacks any the breath of knowledge of the genre that would allow him to speak intelligently about the music. But this never stopped him from being condescending and dismissive of artists/albums that have been classics depsite his words to the contrary.
4. dude wrote on August 27th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
R. Christgau is probably some stuck up French fag. If he isn’t French he probably blows French guys. I bet his favorite music is Pet Shop Boys and Boy George. I have read some of his reviews for some great bands and their albums and he slams them. Well, gay french guy, why don’t you tell us what you (we should) like and we can all sit around and eat brie and drink over priced wine ?
5. Jim wrote on August 27th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Well “dude,”
You most certainly should turn your natural writing talent towards reviewing the records that you love.
Because after that amazingly eloquent comment, I now totally agree with everything that you have to say.
I mean, who would have ever thought to call someone a “fag” just because you disagreed with them? Brilliant! That is just so utterly and totally original that I am beyond belief.
6. dude wrote on August 28th, 2007 at 8:32 am
My hate for this bitter, no class man grows stronger everyday. I have fantasies of meeting him before his impending death and cheating him of his last few breaths of precious oxygen. If he spent a day with me I could play him track after track of classic rock bands from the 70s and 80s that he panned in all his reviews. I know that everything put out by every band in that era wasn’t solid gold rock but most of it beats the hell out of anything that came before or after it. R. (probably stands for Retard) Christgau is a music snob. I don’t know what genre of music he enjoys but I’m sure it sucks more than anything he ever slammed in his worthless career as a “music critic”. I pray for a long slow painful death for him. I hope he against assisted suicide too.
7. dude wrote on August 28th, 2007 at 8:51 am
Well Jim I could really give a fudge what you think about my opinions of R.etard Christgau. How would you like it if I slammed every band you liked? I hope my description of him as a R.etard is more to your liking. He reminds me of my dear old dad who thinks Rag Mop…. R-A-G-G… M-O-P-P is a classic and thinks anything by any classic rock guitarist is noise. I’m not sure what music he listens to….I think I read it’s blues and Jazz. I love Blues and Jazz too. I wonder what he has to say about Kenny Wayne Shepard or SRV. I’m sure I will come across one of his negative reviews of them someday. And as for your comment about my natural writing talents… I’m sure I could do better than that old fart RC. I know I have better musical tastes than he has. He reminds me of some bitter old man that tells you to get off his lawn and calls the police when you crank up your stereo too loud. I hope he dies one day while listening to an “American Idol” =P I’m sorry if I insulted you by using the word “fag” obviously you are one.
8. dude wrote on August 28th, 2007 at 9:05 am
….and Jimmy… I wasn’t looking for your approval when I called RC a French Fag. Thats my opinion of him, and as far as I know I’m free to state it just as he is free to trash great rock bands. I could really give a fudge if you think my comment is eloquent (a French Fag term) or brilliant or original. The guy is a freaking moron old fart. I’m glad he got fired and I hope he has to eat generic brand dog food until he dies a long slow painful death. YES that is what I wish upon people that disagree with my musical tastes!!! Do you have a problem with that?
9. Jim wrote on August 28th, 2007 at 9:15 am
Well, you certainly showed me how little you care about what I think by responding three times to my comment.
Also, according to Christgau: “Vaughan was the greatest traditional guitarist of his generation.”
10. Kirk wrote on August 28th, 2007 at 11:12 am
I’m confused. I thought we were supposed to like French people this week.
11. Jim from Rochester NY wrote on November 3rd, 2007 at 6:55 am
I just saw the review this twerp R. Christgau wrote regarding George Benson’s Breezin album. He gave it a “C”. With many disparraging comments. I grew up a heavy metal rock fan and my favorite band was Rush. That album opened my eyes to jazz and a wider musical variety and it is a classic. I can see giving it a “B” just out of respect if he really did not like it. I think his ratings are more to make headlines than honest.
12. Bryan wrote on November 12th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Couldn’t agree more with most of the posts and consider myself a proud member of the Anti-Christgau nation. It’s clearly evident the guy has no real understanding, appreciation of Reggae, Jazz or R & B. The guy trashed the O’Jays consistently…THE O’JAYS!!! They’re only regarded by true music afficianados as one of the greatest male singing groups of all time. I can handle dissing one or two albums….Levert and co. had a few misses, but overall, their body of work kicks the crap out of damn near any male group that’s come after them. A Deaf mute could critique music better than Christgau. GOOD RIDDANCE!!!!
13. Jim wrote on November 12th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Sigh,
To my ears, Christgau totally overrated George Benson.
What I don’t understand is this: out of tens of thousands of reviews of thousands of artists, y’all fixate on a single artist that he doesn’t like as your basis for a total and utter dislike for him.
Guess what? Just because he dismissed Robyn Hitchcock’s entire career on a total misreading of a single lyric doesn’t mean that I need to hate him. I just think: “oh, so we disagree on Robyn Hitchcock” and move on.
Gang, the entire world doesn’t hinge on whether or not everybody on the planet shares your exact musical taste.
As a matter of fact, sometimes you learn more from people who occasionally disagree with you about stuff.
14. William wrote on November 17th, 2007 at 2:10 am
Christgau reminds me of the (insert total loser describor here) that always wanted soooo much to be high school cool, but never, ever could be–the perpetual, consumate mega-nonachiever. I think he’s also nursing a huge case of rockstar envy….it’s so obvious.
Dude, your original review of Christgau was right on the money–not to mention a scream! I loved it–lol! Don’t listen to the metro-sexual girly-boys that cringe at anything not pc enough for their delicate ears. Wimps.
I’m glad to the prima-donna gone. I hope he dies a lonely, bitter, impotent & pathetic old fart.
15. Michael wrote on April 1st, 2008 at 5:04 pm
I just finished reading a set of reviews by Christgau on Rhapsody and…well…I’m speechless. Not only did he demonstrate that he has no clue how to categorize the music he’s reviewing, but his constant, pointless bashing of most of the albums he reviewed basically left me wondering if he listened to the records at all. I will make it a point to never read his complete and total garbage reviews ever again.
16. Jim wrote on April 3rd, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Yes, because it’s very very important that all music be categorized exactly right.
17. Tom wrote on April 6th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Did Christgau have any credibility? All his comments should be deleted and replaced with writings that demonstrate at least a few active cells of grey matter.
18. Riverchubby wrote on April 16th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Funny, I was just looking for Robert (Village Voice) to send him an email to say, more often then not, I don’t like his reviews. They’re written like he’s in desperate need of a toilet and doesn’t have time to really think it through. Grade C-
19. Nicole wrote on May 4th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Reading a Rhapsody music review by R. Christgau is about as entertaining as hurling yourself down a razorblade slide into a bowl of gin. The man’s taste is in his mouth, a place also occupied by his foot. Fired, retired, whatever… I won’t miss his churlish nincompoopery. Adieu, sir, and I’m sorry you never found a way to remove that huge stick from your nether regions. Salud!
20. jon wrote on May 10th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
don’t you love how he gave Pink Floyds Dark Side of the Moon and Boston’s Debut a B-? both of these are some of the highest selling albums of all time… Floyd’s in general and Bostons as a debut. he even said that “The only thing that makes me wonder is that sometimes I catch myself enjoying it, which means some corruption is still at work here.” about Boston’s album. what the fuck does that mean? if you enjoy an album it’s wrong and should be disposed of? let’s toss out thriller and all of Jimi HendriX’s cd’s out too!!!!!!
21. Jim wrote on May 10th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
I really love the people who get offended when other people don’t agree exactly with what they like.
I mean are you so insecure in your taste in music that you have to lash out at everybody who doesn’t agree with you?
The really funny thing about Jon’s comment is his other examples: Christgau gave Thriller an A, and has called Hendrix the best guitarist eve.
Personally, I like Animals and Wish You Were Here way better than Dark Side, and will always love Boston’s debut.
I just shrug when people disagree with me about music, instead of going all freakout.
22. miraeja wrote on May 17th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Christgau is a guy who loves to ruminate and meticulously forge his sentences. That works for New Yorker columnists and Louis Menand, but for Christgau, it makes him a pretentious ass. He decries the “institutions” of the music industry, yet calls himself the “Dean of Rock Critics”, brags about academic and journalistic awards in nearly every interview he’s done, and enjoys the sloppy blowjobs gievn to him by sycophantic industry colleagues. That might be true if he wasn’t so erratic without explanation: he’s given A ratings to Souljah Boy, Cher, and Backstreet Boys (”‘I Want it That Way” is one of the greatest rock ballads of all time.” (Salon 2001)) while he callls Radiohead “fucking shit”.
I’m glad there are SOME people that haven’t been fooled by him and see him for what he is, a snobby and self-hating sore of a man who has found his own comfortable world in which to terrorize at will.
23. brickbat wrote on May 19th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Wow. I’ve read all of these comments, and I gotta say that I have never in all my life seen a bigger group of ill-informed, whining pussies.
And lots of misrepresentation: for example, miraeja says that he called Radiohead “fucking shit,” but ignores the “A-” grade given to Kid A, or the fact that he’s given B+ equivalents to everything they’ve done since.
And then equates a rock critic with terrorism.
24. jungian_disaster wrote on June 18th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
The thing about Christgau I have noticed is
what was mentioned earlier. The man has weird
tastes..giving a higher review to Souljah Boy than to say
an album like Tool’s “Lateralus” (which was given an
amazing review by David Fricke in Rolling Stone) .
The problem is his fast food reviews always have the spitefulness of an angry little boy who never got to be a musician. The reason I think he finally gave into Radiohead,
was more peer pressure than anything else. And..I think
Tool is a great band as far as mainstream rock music goes.
Do I dislike him for hating a band I like..no. But when he makes statements like Tool’s Aenema is “stupidity pretending to be underground”, it sounds good on paper
but an intelligent reader response is ” why?”
Especially when looking at the lyrical content of say
a song like “46 & 2″ which has an interesting premise/message.
He has been unbelievably harsh on both of those bands..
I just detect an aging man who is a little too much
bent on the punk rock mindset that anything that tries
hard, is pretentious. What I find that is curious is there are no review of Mike Patton’s works whatsoever. Or The Boredoms. Or Melt Banana. Squarepusher. Perhaps
Christgau is at the age where he likes his music the way
he likes his food; spoon fed.
25. Wayne Bowman wrote on August 28th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Was reading his critiques of Duane Allman.
Totally clueless.
How many hits has R. Christaug had? Has Wilson Pickett ever given him a nickname? Did he ever play with Clapton (as in “Clapton is God.”) Nope. Just a wannabee who doesn’t understand the value of purity.
I’d sign up to kick his ass, but that seems to be a long and unruly line.
There. I feel better.