Their Words Carry Weight: 3 Music Critics Who Continuously Ruffled Feathers

Over the years they’ve come to adopt many names—keyboard warriors, faultfinders, nags, and more. Though, they are most often known simply by the title, critic. Particular to this article, music critics. They have started feuds, bashed iconic pieces of work, and lived in the heads of artists rent-free for years.

However, little to no people know the faces behind the words. Given this shield of anonymity, the critics can take shots at the biggest names in music and remain untainted. Despite the nature of the business, their opinions hold merit and have created some rather memorable reviews that have become infamous in music journalism. That being so, here are three of the most famous music critics of all time.

1. Lester Bangs

Ironically, it was Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s characterization of Burns in Almost Famous that made him a pop-culture icon. Although, if it weren’t for his accolades and notoriety before the film, his likeness would never have been in it. Bangs got his start at Rolling Stone in 1969, but in 1973 he was canned from the publication due to his reviews being so poignant and scalding.

After he was fired from Rolling Stone, he went on to work for Creem. This is where he made his mark on the industry, as Bangs helped promote acts such as David Bowie and The Stooges. Furthermore, it was during his time at Creem that he helped coin the term “Punk Rock.”

2. Robert Christgau

Often viewing music through an academic lens, Chistgau has been known to have some of the hottest takes. Some of these takes include criticizing artists such as James Taylor, Elton John, STYX, and so many more. However, what is interesting about how he draws his conclusions is through his letter grading.

In short, the system is used in his Consumer Review articles and the grades vary from A+ to E-. The highest deserves praise beyond words, whereas the lowest not even being worth a review. Cutthroat, yes, but it is what landed Christgau jobs at Creem, Rolling Stone, and The Village Voice throughout his career.

3. Jon Pareles

A longtime editor at the New York Times, Pareles has seen nearly every phase of the music industry. That being so, he has also covered every phase of the music industry. “What I write about, and what I write, are strictly my own honest decisions,” writes Pareles per his New York Times bio.

Pareles, a much more just and unpolarized voice compared to Bangs and Christgau, has worked for Crawdaddy, Rolling Stone, and The Village Voice. Additionally, his most current endeavors entail writing about artists in a fair and true light, but never afraid to hold back the truth in his mind.

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