In this discussion, Ann Powers, an NPR Music critic, reflects on the fate of Pitchfork and the importance of diverse voices in music journalism. Kyle Chayka, a New Yorker staff writer, critiques how algorithms shape music discovery, often sacrificing quality for quantity. Mark Henry Phillips, a composer, reveals how AI music generators challenge traditional music creation, raising ethical concerns about artists' futures. Together, they explore the intersection of technology and creativity, questioning the future of musical authenticity.
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Pitchfork's Influence
Pitchfork was the 21st-century champion of indie rock, similar to Rolling Stone's role in earlier decades.
Their reviews and rankings significantly elevated bands like Arcade Fire and Spoon.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Negative Reviews
Pitchfork's negative reviews, like a zero given to Liz Phair's 2003 album, were notorious.
Later, the reviewer admitted the critique was condescending and poorly aged.
insights INSIGHT
Poptimism Defined
"Poptimism" aimed to analyze popular music seriously, not just promote it.
It challenged the rock-centric bias in music criticism.
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In 'Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell,' Ann Powers delves into the complex and multifaceted life of Joni Mitchell. The book is not a traditional biography but rather an exploration of Mitchell’s musical evolution, her collaborations, and the personal experiences that shaped her songwriting. Powers takes readers through Mitchell’s childhood in rural Canada, her battle with polio, and her journey through various musical genres from folk to jazz fusion and pop synthetics. The book also examines Mitchell’s return to music after her 2015 aneurysm and provides a critical appraisal of her entire catalog, including her often-underrated 1980s albums. Through this meticulous and feminist lens, Powers offers a rich and revealing portrait of Joni Mitchell’s life and artistry.
Let's Talk about Love
A Journey to the End of Taste
Carl Wilson
This book, part of the 33⅓ series, is not just a critique of Celine Dion's album but an exploration of what it means to have 'taste' in music. Wilson examines his own biases and the broader cultural context, drawing on theorists like Pierre Bourdieu, Immanuel Kant, and others. The book questions elitist cultural biases and the status-seeking inherent in expressions of taste, making it a significant study of pop criticism and aesthetic models.
It’s been almost a year since the historic music outlet Pitchfork shrank considerably. On this week’s On the Media, why the distinctive voices in music journalism are worth saving. Plus, how AI music generators could upend the industry.
[01:00] Host Micah Loewinger, speaks with Ann Powers, critic and correspondent for NPR Music, on Condé Nast's acquisition of the influential music publication Pitchfork, and what this means for the future of music journalism.
[12:45] Host Micah Loewinger speaks to Kyle Chayka, staff writer at The New Yorker, about how algorithms are changing how people discover and listen to music – and all too often, not for the better.
[28:39] Former OTM producer, and current composer and sound designer, Mark Henry Phillips, on how AI music generators could fundamentally upend the industry for good.
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