Rock Critics Review

Bob Dobbs and music writer Scott Woods dive deep into rock criticism, focusing on the concept of “anti-tongue”—a rejection of direct lyrical meaning in favor of sonic and tactile experiences Bob Dobbs is a Zappa researcher and McLuhan scholar. Scott…

Bob Dobbs and music writer Scott Woods dive deep into Meltzer’s “Aesthetics of Rock”, unpacking his critique of music criticism, Aristotle’s influence, and the challenges of analyzing pop culture. Bob Dobbs is a Zappa researcher and McLuhan scholar. Scott Woods…

Bob and Scott delve into Richard Meltzer’s The Aesthetics of Rock, emphasizing his unique style that blends art, politics, and culture. His rhythmic, tactile prose is compared to James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake, with a focus on Meltzer’s enduring ability to…

Bob and Scott journey through radio’s impact and media’s relentless flow, centered on Jeffrey O’Brien’s Sonata for Jukebox. They explore art’s role, the need for multiplicity, and question value, belief, and authenticity in the modern media landscape. Bob Dobbs is…

Bob and Scott explore rock music’s changing role, Dylan’s impact, and Zappa’s genius. A journey through the cultural shifts that shaped modern rock and how we experience it. Bob Dobbs is a Zappa researcher and McLuhan scholar. Scott Woods is…

Bob and Scott explore the impact of rock music, media evolution, and the concept of the Android Meme, featuring insights on music’s shift from cultural force to digital experience. Bob Dobbs is a Zappa researcher and McLuhan scholar. Scott Woods…

Bob Dobbs and Scott Woods discuss how figures like Lester Bangs and Richard Hell reflect the struggles of articulating experiences in a chaotic, media-saturated world. The speakers delve into themes of emotional numbing, self-destruction, and the role of artists in…

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…

Scott Woods and Bob Dobbs discuss the nuances of rock criticism, specifically focusing on the influential work of Richard Meltzer. In this installment, they explore Meltzer’s pivotal role in establishing rock criticism as an intellectual discipline, his recognition of the…

Bob Dobbs and music writer Scott Woods reunite to explore the intricate world of rock criticism and its evolution in the 2000s. They discuss the impacts of iconic figures like Frank Zappa, James Joyce, Marshall McLuhan, and Captain Beefheart on…