um... music journalism R.I.P. anyone?

No really. There's a point to this. And the question mark is deliberate.

If you go over to Drowned In Sound all this week, you'll discover a series I commissioned and edited for them, based (roughly) around this concept. Some of it's great. Some of it is funny. Some is deliberately provocative. And some of it you're just not gonna get at all. Whatever. ("Why not just write about music?" the naysayers are already bleating. Ah now. That's an original idea.)

While I'm here, a couple of disclaimers.

1) I don't believe in a Golden Age of Music Criticism anymore than I believe in a Golden Age of Music. It's all down to perception, personal identification, training. There's enough folk who believe that whatever era they encountered the music press/web 2.0 that is the era that counts - be it 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s. Those in power tend to have a stronger voice so it sometimes can seem like an overriding critical voice favours a particular time or style. Don't trust it. Don't believe it.

2) In an article shortly to be published Tim Footman mentions a particular phrase of Mark Sinker's to describe what the NME was like to work for during the 80s, utilising some Leo Baxendale imagery. Look out for it. In a brief few words it probably sums up my approach and position of opposition in music criticism better than anything I've seen in decades. Now I understand what makes Everett True separate.

3) Choice is good. Too much choice is not good. No one has the time.

4) Where has this skewed belief that we no longer require experts sprung from? Fuck, don't whisper it to the building trade or in hospitals (for example).

5) I don't believe for one second music criticism - even relevant or great music criticism - has disappeared simply because it's harder to find these days. And I certainly don't believe that it no longer has a purpose just cos you can watch a bunch of crap on YouTube for free. One of the great mysteries of the Internet is the way it has reduced people's range of interests while simultaneously significantly increasing their potential to be widened a million-fold. I'm sure I read somewhere recently that Alzheimer's can be caused by too much information.

6) The new Tenniscoats/Pastels collaboration is excellent. Report to follow shortly.

7) The photo of Lady Gaga has no relevance to this post whatsoever. I'm just wondering whether it'll drive any traffic here.