I really enjoy reading music criticism, which is partly why I follow Stereogum and a dozen or so other blogs. However, the James Blake backlash and the likely widespread backtracking are an example of some writers (not Miles) and consumers getting caught up in swirls of popular opinion which don't stem from or result in critical thinking.
Hearing, personally evaluating, and being affected by music before reading others' opinions can be a great thing, and it's easy to get away from doing so with any regularity these days. I enjoyed listening to Digital Lion before reading people's reactions to it, and my level of excitement for Overgrown has been appropriately adjusted...
(SPOILER: upward)
I disagree. For me, the first three songs work well with the rest of the album and are really strong on their own. Only Tomorrow is especially phenomenal—really catchy and at once hypnotic and invigorating—and my favorite album track at present.
It's probably too early to call m b v classic, but if so, it's definitely too early to say it's not classic. All I know is that the first several listens have been highly pleasing, and I'm eager to hear it again the moment it's finished.
In summary:
-Wow.
-This album is wholly fantastic; not one track disappoints.
-It fits in really well with the rest of their discography but also feels like a progression. I think it'll make a good entry point for new MBV listeners, but it's great to experience it as a new work after thoroughly digesting Isn't Anything, Loveless, and the EPs years ago.
-Kevin Shield's creative trajectory is significantly different than Axl Rose's.
Cheers. I hear what you're saying, too. And fwiw, Pitchfork is easily the blog most worthy of blame for forcing Grimes down the throats of the unwilling.
I understand how the incessant press coverage of Grimes and/or elements of her personality may be off-putting to some, but I can't help but feel that most of the people who talk trash about her have never even heard her newest album. Visions really is one of the best albums of 2012, and no abundance of blogger obsession or corresponding backlash can change this. I'm not talking about you specifically, Naqiy, this is just a general observation.
Regarding Pitchfork's list: I was happy to see the best track (Flutes) off of Hot Chip's album in the top 20, despite the fact that it wasn't released as a single. (Also, Resident Advisor did the same thing with John Talabot's So Will Be Now...)
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