I favour a sociological approach to rock (criticism).I'm not concerned with rock-as-art, not really. I've always been far more interested in the effect that rock music has upon its audience - specifically, me. I don't see what I do as a consumer guide. I'm about placing music within the context that it's being experienced, specifically the way I experience it. That is sociological, right?
A few weeks back, I was interviewed for a dissertation concerning the way rock critics are perceived by other critics, bloggers, musicians (etc) and I was the only expert who felt that notions of honesty had nothing to do with my craft. Commentators are too confused by the similarities between journalism and criticism. They are not the same craft. The latter is taught at QUT under the guise of 'creative writing', and the more I think about that categorisation the more I like it. 'Creative writing'. Is that all criticism boils down to?
And I really don't see that what I do has anything to do with 'Gonzo' either.
