Rock’s identity crisis

From Meltzer to McLuhan: Music Criticism, Rock’s Identity Crisis, and Media’s Impact.
Scott Woods and Bob Dobbs discuss Richard Meltzer’s unique music criticism approach, the evolution of the rock industry, and the shifting roles of critics. They explore the contrast between private and corporate identities in music, technological determinism, McLuhan’s media theories, and the cultural significance of phenomena like “the twist.” They also touch on the future of music criticism and younger audiences’ engagement.

Bob Dobbs is a Zappa researcher and McLuhan scholar.
Scott Woods is a critic based in Toronto who manages the websites RockCritics.com and GreilMarcus.net.

Recorded November 22, 2009

00:00:00 – Introduction and Meltzer’s Approach
Scott Woods and Bob Dobbs discuss music criticism, focusing on Richard Meltzer’s unique approach to experiencing music as a flow, avoiding traditional labels.

00:09:02 – Private vs. Corporate Identity in Music
Exploring how rock music shaped private identities from the ’60s to ’80s, contrasting with corporate identities promoted by the rock industry.

00:12:00 – Rock Industry Decline and Criticism Shifts
Discussing the rock industry’s downturns, transformation in consumer interests, and how critics have transitioned to broader journalism forms.

00:16:56 – Eccentricities and Future Criticism
Writers finding niches in eccentric music culture and questioning their relevance for younger audiences in the evolving musical landscape.

00:18:55 – Evolution and Role of Music Critics
Reflections on critics like Greil Marcus and Christgau, their engagement with broader cultural analysis, and the importance of drawing meaningful conclusions.

00:23:43 – Romanticized Movements and Reality
Examining movements like the Situationists and Dadaists, their lack of grounding in present reality, and their eventual demise.

00:24:10 – Technological Determinism and Media Impact
Discussion on technological determinism, McLuhan’s media influence theories, and how they eclipse the works of other intellectuals.

00:27:14 – Pattern Recognition in Culture
Critique of the lack of comprehensive pattern recognition in cultural analysis that could lead to transformative societal understanding.

00:31:02 – The Twist and Cultural Significance
Analyzing the cultural phenomenon “the twist” and its broader societal context in the 1960s as interpreted by McLuhan.

00:34:10 – Deeper Meaning in Cultural Phenomena
Contemplating critics’ ability to grasp deeper implications of cultural trends and provide profound perspectives on daily experiences.

00:37:26 – Media Interpretation and Technological Evolution
Discussing broad understanding versus specialization in media theories and exploring the concept of technology evolving independently.

00:45:06 – Media’s Cultural Influence and Youth Interaction
Exploring media’s impact on society through McLuhan’s perspective and discussing younger generations’ interaction with media and technology.

00:47:02 – Deconstructing Media Analysis
Delving into McLuhan’s media analysis, using “Bird is the Word” to discuss deeper meanings about communication and power structures.

00:49:00 – Predicting Trends and Media Impacts
Discussing how McLuhan’s media understanding can predict economic and social trends, and the role of centralized power.

00:51:01 – Rock Music and Media Narratives
Analyzing “The Bird is the Word” in relation to McLuhan’s principles and the role of rock music and critics in media narratives.

00:57:06 – Dylan’s Songwriting and Genius
Discussing Bob Dylan’s perspective on his songs and comparing his work to deeper pattern recognition studies.

00:58:22 – Contributions of Mailer and McLuhan
Assessing the intellectual contributions of Norman Mailer and Marshall McLuhan, noting McLuhan’s unique grasp of cultural changes.

01:01:11 – Reading Meltzer and Zappa
Discussing the tactile experience of reading certain critics like Meltzer and interpretations of Frank Zappa’s work.

01:03:49 – Future Discussions
Concluding with plans for future discussions focusing on Meltzer, Zappa, and cultural critics’ phases.