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We have no beef with The Chicago Tribune’s primary rock critic, Greg Kot. We’ve never accused him of exactly being cutting edge, but we do believe he writes insightful and honest critiques for the most part. Unfortunately, since Matt Lurie left the paper, the Trib had been pretty devoid of anything approaching decent music coverage. They’re consistently behind the trends and most of their freelancers would be better used to compose press releases instead of attempting to craft any sort of critical evaluation. And that’s when any evaluation is actually in play, instead of a fawning band profile.
But that seems to be changing.
Earlier this week we were stunned to see an incredibly well-crafted piece discussing TV on the Radio. It stunned us because it was not only a fine profile of the band, it was written in a language relatable to the average (read: non-indie, non-fan) reader. Hell, we will admit we don’t always get what TV on the Radio is all about, but we certainly enjoyed reading about them. Once we looked at the byline we were equally stunned to realize it was penned by Jessica Hopper, of Hit It Or Quit It / The Reader / "Where The Girls Aren't" / etc. fame.
Then today we were floored by a one-two punch. First of all, on the front page of the Tempo section, there was a less than glowing review of The Rolling Stones performance this week. What?! The Trib actually admitting that The Stones might a) be dealing with overexposure at this point and b) suck (okay, they didn’t totally say they suck, but for The Trib this was the equivalent) is truly a landmark event.
And then today’s capper was the story about five bands in Chicago to catch before they’re big. While we could quibble about the fact that Pelican, Andrew Bird, Diverse, Head Of Femur, and The Changes aren’t exactly unknowns, we were pleased to see that The Redwalls and Kill Hannah weren’t on the list for once. Will wonders never cease!
The only thing that could surprise us more this week would be if there was an announcement that Jim DeRogatis was defecting to The Trib. And then Ebert. Because then we would never have a reason to read another copy of the Sun-Times ever again.
Anyway, we don’t know who is behind this sudden hubbub in the music section of The Trib, but we can say we like it. Keep it up!
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I'm a Trib reader, but they don't have anything as good as Quick Takes. I'll take Zay Smith over "DeRo" any day.
Andrew Bird is from Chicago?
Jim DeRogatis is one of those music "critics" that should retire. He is so jaded and hateful of anything new. He will go to concerts like Beyonce, Timberlake, Jem etc. and proclaim how awful and terrible they are and how they are ruining "his" music industry. If he hates them outright then don't go to the concerts - send someone else. DeRo only likes Frank Black. That is it. I have seen him at concerts numerous times just staring at the stage in disgust then leaving early. U2, Liz Phair, Madonna, etc. Any band he deems "a sellout" he trashes in his column for no reason. That is why people stopped reading him at the Sun-Times and he had to "defect" to the Trib. Good riddance, let him ruin that paper too.
Joel: To each their own, right?
mike: Yes.
FernLaPlante: DeRo also likes The Flaming Lips and Pink Floyd. Seriously, though, if you keep in mind DeRo's hero is Lester bangs it really helps put his criticism into perspective, and allows one to enjoy what he has to say.
If you know where a critic is coming from (their "manifesto" per se) it's always a better read. At least in my opinion.
However, I'm sure there are just as many folks that enjoy the thirty word shorts that pass as reviews in Spin / RS / EW / etc. lately.
Fern, that's an unfair criticism of DeRo. He went on at length about how much he enjoyed the Justin Timberlake show at HOB recently and has been similarly effusive of Ashlee Simpson of all people. So to say he hates "new music" (he's in love with Art Brut and has a positive review of Lily Allen up today) or even disposable pop is untrue.
I don't agree with everything he has to say (I disagreed with some of his Lolla criticisms) but I like the way he says it.
And he's still at the S-T. Tankboy was just joshin'.
I feel like I have to point out here that Jessica Hopper, in the Reader's Guide to the Pitchfork Festival, had one of the most overblown and pretentious capsules of Silver Jews that I think I've ever seen in my life. It started off with "David Berman...reminds me of Jesus" and went downhill from there, which makes me want to revive DeRo's e-mail subject line to former Reader critic Bill Wyman from way back in the day..."kill the thesaurus!"
Then again, writing for a mainstream publication might force her to tone it down a bit.
I dislike DeRo as well, and am happy with what I am seeing in the Trib. I almost fell out of my chair when I saw the Stones review. Keep up the nice writing TB, maybe you'll get the call soon!
notabbot, read The Trib piece Ms. Hopper wrote and I think you'll see she can write just a lucidly as the rest when addressing a "mainstream" audience. (Which, byt the way, is not the audience The Reader is trying to reach. If it was, Liz Armstrong wouldn't be on their payroll.)
Most music crits I know tend to try and adjust their "voice" for the venue.
I still can't believe Liz Armstrong is on anyone's payroll.
Does Hopper writing for the Trib mean she's done doing stuff for the Reader? And speaking of the Reader, I saw on another board that Bob Mehr - the guy who writes the page 3 music column - is leaving. Anyone know who is replacing him?
Ms. Hopper is freelancing, so her work will still appear elsewhere. Actually, I believe she has a new album review in this week's Reader.
I haven't heard anything about Mehr, though.
My bit about the Silver Jews was not to claim Berman as messiah, I was comparing their style. And I am not replacing Bob Mehr, FYI--though I am really psyched about who is.
I'd heard somehting about Mehr leaving to work for Mojo magazine - I know he writes for them. But I guy I work with who is friends with him says he's going to Memphis to be a critic for the daily paper there. Don't know who's taking over. Hopefully not Margasak.
p.s. I'm assuming Margasak is not who Jessica is "psyched" about
Maybe Liz Armstrong will be doing a music column too.
That bullshit faux-trash hipster "column" of hers is enough. Please don't let it be Liz.
As for The Reader, my guess is either J.R. or Miles is taking over ... or S. F. Jones.
Wouldn't that be wild?