hello dave,

sorry to hear that you’re listening to the likes of keith urban and eric church. i’m but a foot soldier in the army against mediocrity and those two are definitely mediocre.
admitting to playing garbage like that will reduce one’s credibility as a music critic.

— ed higgins    2009-04-28 14:26    #

Yeah I dont know, I try to keep an open mind, give all music a fair shake (which isn’t the same as liking all music equally, but sometimes I surprise myself with what I like and dislike). Besides, being a credible music critic is certainly not just about repeating back the opinions of the reader, right? Are your favorite critics really just those who you always agree with?

Have you heard those two albums? The Keith Urban album is absolute fluff, but makes no claims to be otherwise, and is really enjoyable on that level. It’s no masterpiece, but a good summertime fling. Here’s a piece I wrote on it – http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/73078-keith-urban-defying-gravity

The Eric Church album definitely is a pop/rock take on traditional country music, fitting with modern country in that way, but with a more muscular band that you’d expect. But it also is grounded enough in those country traditions of heartbreak, rebelliousness, etc. I can’t imagine any country music fan not liking at least some of it. Again – http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/72230-eric-church-carolina/

— dave heaton    2009-04-28 18:05    #