Why NYT reviewer shouldn't matter

[lucastecala 795]

Before I start, it's important to highlight that I do not have any dellusions about music critics being impartial and objective. They should be, but they have never been, and that's just how the world works. So suck it up guys. The NYT reviewer was biased? Yes. But that's what they do. What I'm writing here is more in the sense of why his opinion SHOULDN'T matter: because it's an opinion and not an objective analysis.

1)  Almost EVERYTHING negative he had to say was about Gaga herself, her career, etc. Never the music. 

2) When he does address the music he is vague, and blunt, he throws in adjectives without explaining why he's using them. We're supposed to just take his word.

3) He mentions at some point that the album has "several" strong moments, but he doesn't talk about them. His determination in not giving her any compliments seems almost childish and reveals his bias.

4) He credits Gaga with implying with this new work that her previous music was not legitimate. And that is just a fishing expedition. She has said exactly the opposite of that in several interviews. And since when changing means taking your past for granted? Changing is life's natural course. That's all.

5) His biggest problem with Gaga: he doesn't want her to change. He sees her as an outlander some one from the lesser lands of pop music trying to be taken seriously in the high ranks of what he considers to be quality music. There's always a "who does she think she is??". He wants her to stick to her lane. Another man telling a woman that she can't be taken seriously. Nothing new under the sun.  

[Hades 27,980]

Even I could write a better review. 

 

[Emvee 8,549]

No, get his ass fired

[Mr Ricky 9,063]

He needs to get fired, and I hope Gaga that addressed him will get him fired. It's not his first time doing so. 

[Robo Ga 15,356]

You pretty much just listed 5 great reasons of why it should matter. 

6 minutes ago, lucastecala said:

Another man telling a woman that she can't be taken seriously. Nothing new under the sun.  

Why should we just accept this? It's abhorrent. 

[Redstreak 6,653]

This is the majority of a ton of pop girl reviews. Music isn't created in a vacuum, their lives and outlooks influence and can be important context. I defy you to find a single pop girl album where majority of reviews don't include outside context.

[JbGaga 2,261]

It shouldn't matter because its bad... But if it was good it would matter. Lmao why do people even say these things? Who cares what he said tbh....

[Lord Temptation 11,209]

I'm guessing his bosses are having a word with him as we speak. That'll learn him.

[lucastecala 795]

13 minutes ago, Mr Ricky said:

He needs to get fired, and I hope Gaga that addressed him will get him fired. It's not his first time doing so. 

show us the other reviews with him dragging other people 

 

[chromasine 5,439]

First of all, his opinion does matter because it is the epitome of a mind-numbingly bad, unfocused review. Also, we need receipts to school him and future offenders.

Second, this:

5 minutes ago, Redstreak said:

This is the majority of a ton of pop girl reviews. Music isn't created in a vacuum, their lives and outlooks influence and can be important context. I defy you to find a single pop girl album where majority of reviews don't include outside context.

A review on an album that, instead of discussing the new music, talks about how the artist's last effort 'flopped', as well as a petty 'feud' with another artist that, as the past days have proven, to be very unstable online? Yep, I haven't seen that in any other pop girls' review.

So much for what you call 'outside context'. 

[lucastecala 795]

15 minutes ago, Robo Ga said:

You pretty much just listed 5 great reasons of why it should matter. 

Why should we just accept this? It's abhorrent. 

I meant it shouldn't influence people's opinion on the album 

[Redstreak 6,653]

6 minutes ago, jinko said:

First of all, his opinion does matter because it is the epitome of a mind-numbingly bad, unfocused review. Also, we need receipts to school him and future offenders.

Second, this:

A review on an album that, instead of discussing the new music, talks about how the artist's last effort 'flopped', as well as a petty 'feud' with another artist that, as the past days have proven, to be very unstable online? Yep, I haven't seen that in any other pop girls' review.

So much for what you call 'outside context'. 

Most of the lemonade reviews discussed Bey's life outside of the music. Almost all of Taylor's reviews discuss her life outside of the music. When artists discuss how their lives influence their work, their lives will be discussed. And the NYT review said a decent amount about the actual music whether you like what they said or not.

[Robo Ga 15,356]

10 minutes ago, lucastecala said:

I meant it shouldn't influence people's opinion on the album 

I agree with that! The album is absolutely phenomenal. 

[badgalriri 1,124]

who gives a f*ck about the reviews? if you like the album enjoy it... stop worrying so much about other peoples opinions.

[chromasine 5,439]

4 minutes ago, Redstreak said:

Most of the lemonade reviews discussed Bey's life outside of the music. Almost all of Taylor's reviews discuss her life outside of the music. When artists discuss how their lives influence their work, their lives will be discussed. And the NYT review said a decent amount about the actual music whether you like what they said or not.

Have you even read the Caramanica review? Because I have, multiple times, and I have not read anything about Gaga's aunt, or anything about her life that has influenced the new music. So you still bringing up 'life outside of the music' is laughably nonsensical. 

And his discussion on the music is not decent in amount nor in message: he has concluded his essay with a nod to the Chainsmokers' Twitter mess to establish his view on the album, and on music in general, for god's sake.