I read a very interesting article today about "Genericana". As you can imagine, it was about the resurgence of the fusion style of music including Americana, Folk, Bluegrass and so on. I read it for just a little while thinking that I might get some kind of information from it that was worth my time... Then I took a step back from it and noticed that it was nothing but a story telling me why I should or shouldn't like something.
I feel as though the world would have kept on turning if somebody didn't go out of their way to tell me Mumford and Sons is a gimmick band with no real substance behind them. If it's a fad that is a la mode, let it be just that. Like all good fads, they will fade without any real effort from the critics. I don't blame the person for writing the article. It is relevant to a music industry where it is more about selling an image and less about people making art, but it sure brought negative energy. If a band isn't worth talking about, why not just do that, not talk about them. Don't spend your time telling others why they shouldn't like them in the first place, or why they should feel bad about liking them currently. Instead write a piece about the greatest band you saw play live or heard on your stereo in the last month.
I guess what I'm saying is that we don't have to deal strictly in the positive, but rather we should concentrate less on the negative. I've heard it said a million times, good work will always find a way to be recognized. People will naturally find good art. All the other stuff that happens to be a fad or something that's just here to be a part of the band wagon can be left to be just that. Celebrate what's good and turn people on to the things that you find amazing. Just because somebody doesn't like something you think is incredible, doesn't make your love for it any less important. There are a million reasons why somebody might not like something that you find truly inspirational. I think promoting good work will do a lot more to the opinions of those around you than simply dismissing something as trite or meaningless. Love, actually is all around.
-Jon