The man who shaped rock criticism

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 futility of trying to say anything new through criticism, and the paradox of his work both inventing and parodying the then-nascent form of rock criticism.

Richard Meltzer, born on May 10, 1945, is an American rock critic, performer, writer, and songwriter. Some rock historians regard him as the first person to write serious analysis of rock and roll, and he is credited with creating “rock criticism.”

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 15, 2009

[00:00:00] – Introduction
Richard Meltzer’s role in rock criticism as both an innovator and a parodist.

[00:06:26] – Tactility in Rock
Discussing ‘tactility’ in rock as a reflection of urban life’s mechanical rhythms.

[00:19:51] – The Unknown Tongue
Rock’s self-referential language and its communal communication impact.

[00:38:49] – Literary Parallels in Rock Criticism
Comparing Meltzer’s narrative style to James Joyce’s complex storytelling.

[00:42:07] – Hyperkinetic Film
Rapid movements in film and their appeal to a tactile society.

[00:44:02] – McLuhan’s Media Transformations
McLuhan’s views on how media shifts influence societal dynamics.

[00:50:01] – Music’s Role in a Tactile Society
Music as a medium reflecting chaos and order in a rapidly changing society.

[01:00:27] – The Era of Software Communism
Exploring the communal aspects of media consumption and its effects on music.

[01:06:02] – Rock as a Tactile Experience
Rock’s unique ability to amplify tactile sensations through sound.

[01:19:47] – Cultural and Sensory Intersections
Discussing the impact of cultural perceptions on sensory experiences.

[01:25:02] – Rock and TV
How rock music countered the overwhelming effects of tactile media like TV.

[01:29:50] – Critics and Media Evolution
Examining how criticism and media preferences evolve with societal changes.

[01:37:15] – Reflections on Meltzer and Rock Criticism
Summarizing the discussion and planning further exploration of rock criticism.