Taking sides : Chuck Eddy vs Simon Reynolds

As someone who flat out loves both, I don't see any contradiction. Their personal tastes often differ, sure. But I think both embrace/love to analyze the now while aware of a past and using it as a reference point where and when needed. My own style may tend more towards Eddy's approach when in ramble mode, and certainly his 'love what you want and damn the hipsters' approach was incredibly liberating, but ultimately both expanded my awareness of not only what was out there but how it could be talked about and appreciated.

I like both Eddy and Reynolds and see a fair amount of humor in both of them. Eddy's is more obvious, where with Simon it's buried and subtle. I suppose that makes sense with Eddy being American and Simon being English? I think a certain degree of familiarity with Simon's writing is necessary to get his sense of humor.

Eddy is occasionally funny, though, and I'm coming around to the idea that his way of approaching music is interesting (the "like what you like" thing) and possibly even sincere.

But Reynolds does his homework, has strong opinions, and (most important to me) seems to think about music the same way I do. The way he breaks down individual sounds and describes the kind of reactions they can provide, that's fascinating to me. Plus, he's not hung up on lyrics at all, whereas Eddy, coming from a rock background, seems to think them very important.

I think you can take Chuck Eddy's approach to music and apply it to pretty much any genre (and you need only look at Accidental Evolution's discography to see what a broad and voracious musical appetite the man has), whereas with Reynolds' writing of the last few years (or at least what's on his web site), if you don't like techno you're screwed - he's simply not talking to you.

I'd say Reynolds appetite is just as voracious. I definitely remember a comment from the last year or so where he said there's been too many great recordings to consume. With his site and the last decade or so in music journalism, Simon has centered on electronic music because there haven't been that many people out there documenting it. At least the others haven't had the audience that Simon has had. He could probably write as much about 'x' rock record as a Green Velvet track, but he'd (generally) rather deal with the less-covered records.

His level of expertise with electronic music calls for him to write about it in order to make his living. I would imagine he'd be just as happy doing what Chuck does if it were called for. Perhaps my perspective is skewed since my interest in loud guitar records has waned considerably in the last few years.

So I guess the basic gist is that electronic/dance music "needs" his attention and documentation.

"trying to explain" = not Chuck Eddy: he just states, and if it's absurd, more fool the audience for expecting rock not to be

Uh, wow Kris, you are quite the individual thinker who sees through all the bullshit and tells it like it is ?

sincerely,

fred makes (another) sarcastic observation.

ramon strokes his chin thoughtfully.

otis shrugs his shoulders as if to say, "what are you gonna do?"

stephanie laughs.

ally takes a sip of her wine.

"can i get these mussel shells wrapped please?"

Nah, that can't possibly be true because Ramon is all about insulting people. Me and Steph were just looking forward to her plan to shave heads.

genius of olde ilm, amirite???

(drugs are surely more interesting and useful than children).

http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/strollerderby/archive/2007/03/07/parents-babble-the-human-face-of-hipster-parenting.aspx

Just sayin'...

lol @ vitriolic comments

simon & joy seem like nice people!

I think it makes sense that Simon and Chuck seem so far apart, but then I think of Frank and Chuck as being quite radically different as thinkers-about-music too. Perhaps if something is so easily reconciled it's not trying hard enough (and I say this as someone who instinctively tries to reconcile everything).