Auriculum, Episode 1: Robert Christgau and Rob Sheffield
Apr 1, 2020
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Robert Christgau and Rob Sheffield discuss the early days of rock criticism, the role of the Village Voice in covering punk and hip hop, and how taste leads to knowledge. They reflect on music writing, community building, and the authenticity needed to critique love songs.
Rock criticism's early days discussed; Village Voice role in punk & hip-hop emergence explored.
Importance of open-mindedness in music exploration highlighted; evolving tastes in jazz, hip-hop, and punk explored.
Music criticism's community-building role emphasized; critics' impact on shaping discourse and engaging audience acknowledged.
Emotional vulnerability in music criticism examined; discussing love songs and relationships with sincerity and insight explored.
Continuous evolution of music tastes discussed; intersections between genres shaping critical perspectives highlighted.
Deep dives
Early Days of Rock Criticism and the Village Voice
Discussing the early days of rock criticism, the podcast delves into the role of the Village Voice in covering the birth of punk and hip-hop. It explores how taste leads to knowledge and how rock criticism evolved over time. By sharing personal experiences with notable critics and magazines, the episode highlights the significance of early critical voices.
Diverse Musical Influences and Evolution of Taste
The podcast reflects on the host's evolving taste in music, from jazz and African music to hip-hop and punk. It emphasizes the importance of open-mindedness in exploring different genres and artists. By sharing experiences of discovering new music and reevaluating preconceptions, the episode underscores the continual evolution of musical preferences.
Nurturing Community through Music Criticism
Focusing on the impact of music criticism on building a community of readers and writers, the episode discusses the role of critics in shaping musical discourse. It acknowledges the collaborative efforts of writers and editors in fostering a diverse and engaged audience. By reflecting on the cultural shifts in music journalism, the podcast highlights the community-building aspect of critical writing.
Love Songs, Vulnerability, and Personal Reflections
Delving into the theme of love songs and personal vulnerability in music criticism, the episode explores how discussing emotions and relationships in songs can evoke a sense of openness and introspection. It discusses the challenges of writing about love and relationships within music and the importance of sincerity and insight in critiquing such themes. By incorporating personal reflections and candid thoughts on love songs, the podcast invites listeners to reflect on the emotional impact of music.
Exploration of Genre Evolution and Personal Growth
The podcast traces the host's journey through various music genres and how these experiences have influenced personal growth and critical perspectives. It highlights the intersections between jazz, hip-hop, punk, and other genres in shaping the host's evolving taste. Through anecdotes of delving into musicians' careers and exploring diverse musical landscapes, the episode emphasizes the continuous evolution and adaptability in appreciating music across genres.
Future of Music Criticism and Reflective Writing
Looking towards the future of music criticism, the podcast discusses upcoming projects focused on love songs and personal reflections. It hints at a forthcoming book exploring the intricacies of love songs and emotional vulnerability in musical analysis. By teasing future endeavors in critical writing, the episode sets the tone for further introspective and analytical explorations in music criticism.
Balance between Critiquing Music and Expressing Emotions
Addressing the delicate balance between critiquing music objectively and expressing personal emotions, the episode navigates the impact of emotional resonance in music criticism. It acknowledges the vulnerability that comes with discussing love songs and relationships in critiques while maintaining a critical lens. By exploring the intersection of emotional depth and critical analysis in music reviews, the podcast illuminates the nuanced approaches to evaluating and expressing musical experiences.
Music Discoveries and Ongoing Learning Journey
The podcast delves into the host's continuous exploration of new music genres and artists, highlighting a lifelong learning journey in musical discovery. It reflects on the process of expanding one's musical horizons and embracing diverse influences over time. By sharing anecdotes of rediscovering genres and reevaluating musical preferences, the episode underscores the richness of ongoing learning and growth in appreciating music.
Evolution of Musical Taste and Critical Engagement
Reflecting on the evolution of the host's musical taste and critical engagement, the podcast explores the transformative impact of diverse genres and artists on personal preferences. It delves into the intersections between jazz, hip-hop, and punk in shaping the host's evolving perspectives on music. By sharing experiences of embracing new genres and reevaluating musical biases, the episode highlights the dynamic nature of musical discovery and critical reflection.
This is the first episode of Auriculum, an occasional podcast that will appear here on And It Don’t Stop. Auriculum is a word of my own invention, meant to designate the entirety of each person’s aural reality. This episode is the first of a three-part conversation with Rolling Stone’s Rob Sheffield, whose great books Love is a Mixtape andDreaming the BeatlesI highly recommend. Rob and I discuss the early days of rock criticism, the role of the Village Voice in covering the emergence of both punk and hip hop, and the way taste leads to knowledge. This episode is available to everyone; parts two and three will be available to subscribers only. Thanks to Wussy for granting permission to use their song “Teenage Wasteland” as the theme song for Auriculum.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertchristgau.substack.com/subscribe
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