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 music criticism. They examine the relationships between these figures and their contemporaries, offering a deep dive into how rivalry and collaboration have shaped the narratives within the music industry.
Bob and Scott address the challenges and philosophical underpinnings of writing about music, discussing the sensory and synesthetic qualities of modern music that mirror literary complexity akin to Joyce’s Finnegans Wake. They critique the role of rock critics, comparing their work to industrial labor and questioning the intellectual satisfaction derived from the profession amidst industry pressures.
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 9, 2009
00:00:00 – Intro
00:01:14 – Influential Writers
Bob discusses his recent interactions with Ben Watson, exploring topics from James Joyce to Frank Zappa, and their impact on music criticism.
00:04:25 – Artistic Rivalries
The contrasting approaches of James Joyce and Wyndham Lewis, and the dynamics between Zappa and Captain Beefheart.
00:10:42 – Rock & Roll in Print
Bob likens “Finnegans Wake” to rock and roll in print, discussing the intertwined nature of music, literature, and their sensory impacts.
00:13:27 – Rock Criticism Challenges
The speakers debate a famous quote about writing music and its implications, stressing the importance of celebrating the written interpretation of music despite industry pressures.
00:21:37 – Evolving Role of Rock Critics
The relevance of rock criticism within the music industry, comparing it to factory labor.
00:30:07 – Gender Dynamics in Rock Criticism
The predominance of male critics in rock, exploring historical and cognitive explanations for this trend.
00:34:00 – Nonverbal Art Forms
The challenge of interpreting music through literary frameworks, discussing the influence of media on artistic representation.
00:39:03 – Influences on Music Criticism
How figures like James Joyce and Marshall McLuhan shaped the understanding of music and culture.
00:44:20 – Impact of Media Theories
How media theories, particularly those of McLuhan, have influenced the perception and criticism of rock music, discussing the transformative effects of new media on musical genres and identity.
00:51:16 – Rock’s Evolving Role
How rock music adapts to and reflects changes in media technology, in its role as both sensory stimulation and anesthetic response to a media-saturated environment.
00:57:53 – Marginalization of Critical Thought
The challenge for critics like Meltzer who navigate an increasingly visual culture that sidelines traditional literary criticism.
01:02:34 – Media Consumption
How modern media consumption shapes emotional response. How the collective experience of media shapes societal and personal identity.
01:10:14 – Personal Tastes in Media
How personal preferences in music and media are continually evolving, reflecting changes in individual identity and societal norms.
01:19:58 – Private and Public Identity
Music as a means of crafting personal identity and status, noting how music criticism has shifted from public discourse to a more individualized engagement.
01:38:56 – Impact of Technology on Music and Dance
The interplay between technology, culture, and the arts.
01:44:49 – Role of Emerging Genres
How media advancements post-World War II have impacted musical identity and expression, particularly through genres like punk and disco.
01:53:22 – Music as Mirror of Societal Change
Reflections on music’s role in signaling and driving societal shifts, contemplating the ongoing cycle of media and cultural transformation.
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