4 ms·

A great example is referenced in the n+1 article itself: the tale of Travis Morrison after the breakup of The Dismemberment Plan. The band's Pitchfork reviews w

by flurie 11y ago

A great example is referenced in the n+1 article itself: the tale of Travis Morrison after the breakup of The Dismemberment Plan. The band's Pitchfork reviews were always positive, so one would assume that the debut solo album of its principal songwriter and singer would at least be in the ballpark. Instead, it famously received a 0.0[1]. This single review killed Morrison's solo career[2]. He ended retiring from music (though the Plan reunited for an album a couple years ago). [1] http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/5607-travistan/ http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/5607-travistan/ [2] http://consequenceofsound.net/aux-out/prisoner-of-travistan-a-failed-oral-history/ http://consequenceofsound.net/aux-out/prisoner-of-travistan-...

6stringmerc 11y ago
Ah, I just took a quick glance at that review. Honestly, I can see why a reviewer would mark something so low if the impression is: I've never heard a record more angry, frustrated, and even defensive about its own weaknesses, or more determined to slug those flaws right down your throat. To place that at the feet of Pitchfork is understandable, but in subjective art, sometimes people fail and get called out for it. I think one of the most noteworthy examples would be "The Life and Times of Chris Gaines."
- flurie 11y ago
  Right, I'm not saying that anyone's at fault for the string of events that led to that review or even the review itself. I think at the height of Pitchfork's anti-establishment power, it wielded that power in a callous manner that ended up making careers for of some bad artists and ending careers of some good artists. So I think the charge that Pitchfork in the 1999-2006 era existed as a meritless gatekeeper stands. Whether or not Schrieber intended that is an open question, though the n+1 piece suggests that he did.

4 ms·

A great example is referenced in the n+1 article itself: the tale of Travis Morrison after the breakup of The Dismemberment Plan. The band's Pitchfork reviews w

by flurie 11y ago

6stringmerc 11y ago
Ah, I just took a quick glance at that review. Honestly, I can see why a reviewer would mark something so low if the impression is: I've never heard a record more angry, frustrated, and even defensive about its own weaknesses, or more determined to slug those flaws right down your throat. To place that at the feet of Pitchfork is understandable, but in subjective art, sometimes people fail and get called out for it. I think one of the most noteworthy examples would be "The Life and Times of Chris Gaines."
- flurie 11y ago
  Right, I'm not saying that anyone's at fault for the string of events that led to that review or even the review itself. I think at the height of Pitchfork's anti-establishment power, it wielded that power in a callous manner that ended up making careers for of some bad artists and ending careers of some good artists. So I think the charge that Pitchfork in the 1999-2006 era existed as a meritless gatekeeper stands. Whether or not Schrieber intended that is an open question, though the n+1 piece suggests that he did.