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Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s
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5 new or used available from CDN$ 9.29
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Product Description
The Dean of American Rock Critics tackles the decade when music exploded.The '90s saw more albums produced and distributed than any other decade. It was a fertile era for new genres, from alt-rock to Afropop, hip hop to techno. Rock critic Robert Christgau's obsessive ear and authoritative pen have covered it all-over 3,800 albums graded and classified, from A+sto his celebrated turkeys and duds. A rich appendix section ensures that nothing's been left out-from "subjects for further research" to "everything rocks but nothing ever dies." CHRISTGAU'S CONSUMER GUIDE is essential reading and reference for any dedicated listener.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #1444338 in Books
- Published on: 2000-09-26
- Original language: English
- Binding: Paperback
- 544 pages
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Customer Reviews
The Only Critic Who Matters
Robert Christgau has been writing rock criticism for over 35 years. He has graded over 12,000 albums. That's TWELVE THOUSAND. He's almost certainly heard more albums than anyone in history. When I read any other critic (not to mention outspoken laymen), my response is "Is that your opinion based on the 6 albums you've heard?" This book is the definitive work on the music of the 1990's. Oh no. Did he give OK Computer a B-? And What's The Story Morning Glory only got an honorable mention? And Anthology 2 got a dud? Yes. Have you heard Iris Dement: My Life? D J Shadow: Entroducing... D J Shadow? Freedy Johnston: Can You Fly? The Magnetic Fields: 69 Love Songs? Have you heard The Rolling Stones: Exile On Main Street? Every critic panned it when it came out except one.
losing focus but still the best
I challenge anyone out there to outdo Christgau. (Please don't bring me pretentious Greil Marcus, who is not really writing in the same genre anymore.) At this stage of the game he can afford to be less focused (hell, his subject - rock music - is hardly a focused genre anymore) ... I'm just glad he keeps going and keeps honest.
I do wish someone out there, someone younger, could write such great criticism. I admit it's a pity to still depend on Christgau. I constantly search in vain for the heirs to Bangs and Christgau...still waiting.
Many people have pointed out, quite correctly, that this is not a great intro to 1990s music - a little too obscure in places, assuming a little too much previous knowledge. This is a failing...and I agree that the 70s book is still the best. But, who says great popular art has to be easily digestible?
Speaking of not so easily digestible, how about Radiohead, U2's "Achtung Baby", and other "undisputably great" icons of the 1990s? thank you Bob, yet again.
Save your money, and simply visit Christgau's Web site
If you scroll through the 30-some-odd reviews for Christgau's Albums of the 90's, you'll find my original four-star review. I'm sticking to the four stars (I really think Christgau is one of the top reviewers out there), but I thought that consumers would want to know that ALL of Christgau's reviews (including the reviews published in this book) are available free on the Web site.
In fact, I give the Web site five stars (ten stars) because all of his 70's and 80's reviews are also catalogued there. I made the mistake of purchasing Robert's book, but don't you do the same. Just click on over to the Web site.
