I'm glad you said "sometimes," because if this is your general impression, I can tell you, not just from my own experience as a music journalist/writer (I hate the term critic, to be honest), but from that of the many writers to whom I aspire, that this is simply not the truth and is, instead, a whitewashing that discourages those who treat writing about music (or anything) as something that must be approached with hard work and research.
Yes, there are some that as you describe, but far from anywhere near the majority, at least in my experience. Most of us are trying to inform readers and contextualize a release or a show into the artist's overall career, with the hopes that if we've done our job, we're not telling you whether or not you'll like it; we're hoping that, once you've read whatever article at-hand, you'll be informed enough (or, perhaps, further informed enough!) to make your
own decision. Whether or not I like something has little meaning. Providing you with as much information as possible so
you can make the decision for yourself is the real objective.
That doesn't mean you can't have criticism (check out my review of Manu Katché's performance in my
Montreal Jazz Festival review, published today. I was disappointed, but hardly suggested it "sucked." Instead, I explained
why it was a disappointing show - what I think/hope are good enough reasons as to why it was less than satisfying. That's what I strive for and it's also what all the writers to whom I look up do as well.
It is, in fact, very discouraging to work as hard as I and my colleagues do, only to read whitewashing statements like this.
And hey, I absolutely don't expect everyone to like how I write. Nor do I expect everyone to agree with me. But I
do hope that folks respect the time and effort put into each and every article, to perhaps help you make up your mind (if you need that; many don't) or, otherwise, to just maybe give you a different perspective, one that might give you cause to pause and view music you might already know through a different prism.
This is absolutely true. But, as above, a good review can still provide information and context that, if you're uncertain as to whether or not the subject at hand is for you, you'll be in a better position.
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