Best Classic Rock Critics

mrturophile · 08-15-2013, 09:57 AM

This thread has been a bit hijacked, but the question remains: what classic rock critics of note does anyone admire or recommend?

Urban Hat€monger ? · 08-15-2013, 10:43 AM

I don't like any rock critics.
I like rock writers like Nick Kent, Mick Farren, Simon Reynolds & Everett True but I couldn't tell you a single album review of theirs I've read.

Unknown Soldier · 08-15-2013, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Rez

What are we even arguing about...?

Certainly nothing worth while

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrturophile

This thread has been a bit hijacked, but the question remains: what classic rock critics of note does anyone admire or recommend?

Sorry about that, but that's what happens when two sillies try and lock horns.

Anyway in regards to the thread, I'm actually a big fan of rock critics and usually find their opinions quite absorbing, whether I agree with them though is another matter.

I find Martin Popoff one of the most interesting and also most debatable around. I'd love to sit down with this guy and critique albums with him. Also I find Robert Christgau one of the most bizarre at times in his opinions.

Screen13 · 08-31-2013, 10:04 PM

Although I feel Lester Bangs slightly over-rated, he stood out quite a bit at his best. Possibly the only critic that made it to the mainstream that I can read.

Alex Ogg (from Record Collector, I think) has impressed me with his books. A very detailed writer that still has a style of his own.

Richie Unterberger is also a great writer about music. Seriously detailed!

Dominic Priore is another historical-based Rock writer that I like to read. Riot on Sunset Strip is essential.

Jon Savage is good - England's Dreaming remains a great read.

Greg Shaw - Bomp! Magazine leader. Reading old issues of that publication in The 80's, just when I was getting into Garage Punk, was a very important step.

Chris D. is more known for his writings on Film, but he started with the seminal Punk publication Slash and went onto Forced Exposure.

Taxman · 10-06-2013, 02:21 AM

Why anyone haven't mentioned George Starostin. He's so great writer that its great to read his writings even when you completely disagree with him.
Christgau sucks.

Taxman · 10-06-2013, 02:23 AM

And though he ain't particularly classic rock critic, Mark Prindle rules. It's sad that he's retired.

Musicwhore A-Z · 07-17-2014, 01:50 PM

Interesting question. As a fan of music commentary and criticism I agree writer David Fricke is a good choice. I'd also pick Chris Welch, a U.K. writer who writes excellent commentary specifically on progressive rock.

However, my personal favorites are writers Malcolm Dome and Martin Popoff, who contribute to various magazines, most notably 'Classic Rock' and 'Goldmine', respectively. Not only are they FANS of the artists they write about but they're not afraid to criticize when justified. Their writing is thought-provoking, candid and candor, whether one agrees with them or not. The way ALL criticisms should be. Great thread!

08-15-2013, 09:57 AM	#11 (permalink)
mrturophile Groupie Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 3	So, can you name any critics of note that write about classic rock? This thread has been a bit hijacked, but the question remains: what classic rock critics of note does anyone admire or recommend?

08-15-2013, 10:43 AM	#12 (permalink)
Urban Hat€monger ? The Sexual Intellectual Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Somewhere cooler than you Posts: 18,605	I don't like any rock critics. I like rock writers like Nick Kent, Mick Farren, Simon Reynolds & Everett True but I couldn't tell you a single album review of theirs I've read. __________________ Urb's RYM Stuff Most people sell their soul to the devil, but the devil sells his soul to Nick Cave.

08-31-2013, 10:04 PM	#14 (permalink)
Screen13 Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,388	Although I feel Lester Bangs slightly over-rated, he stood out quite a bit at his best. Possibly the only critic that made it to the mainstream that I can read. Alex Ogg (from Record Collector, I think) has impressed me with his books. A very detailed writer that still has a style of his own. Richie Unterberger is also a great writer about music. Seriously detailed! Dominic Priore is another historical-based Rock writer that I like to read. Riot on Sunset Strip is essential. Jon Savage is good - England's Dreaming remains a great read. Greg Shaw - Bomp! Magazine leader. Reading old issues of that publication in The 80's, just when I was getting into Garage Punk, was a very important step. Chris D. is more known for his writings on Film, but he started with the seminal Punk publication Slash and went onto Forced Exposure.

10-06-2013, 02:21 AM	#15 (permalink)
Taxman watching the wheels Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Finland Posts: 470	Why anyone haven't mentioned George Starostin. He's so great writer that its great to read his writings even when you completely disagree with him. Christgau sucks.

10-06-2013, 02:23 AM	#16 (permalink)
Taxman watching the wheels Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Finland Posts: 470	And though he ain't particularly classic rock critic, Mark Prindle rules. It's sad that he's retired.

07-17-2014, 01:50 PM	#17 (permalink)
Musicwhore A-Z Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 139	Interesting question. As a fan of music commentary and criticism I agree writer David Fricke is a good choice. I'd also pick Chris Welch, a U.K. writer who writes excellent commentary specifically on progressive rock. However, my personal favorites are writers Malcolm Dome and Martin Popoff, who contribute to various magazines, most notably 'Classic Rock' and 'Goldmine', respectively. Not only are they FANS of the artists they write about but they're not afraid to criticize when justified. Their writing is thought-provoking, candid and candor, whether one agrees with them or not. The way ALL criticisms should be. Great thread!