"And I started thinking how I loathe that kind of idea that our tastes in music, or in anything else, should be governed by whether "it's all right" to like something, rather than whether we actually do like that thing."

I couldn't possibly agree more McG.

As a lifelong ignorer of fashion in all it's many guises, I have always liked what I like, and never been ashamed to say so.

Rolf Harris is the best case in point. Ridiculed for one rather over sugary song, he was out of fashion for years, but the fact that you can build a successful festival program with him headlining shows not only that it IS alright to like him, but also that it should never have been wrong in the first place.

Ditto for many performers.


"parasitic wankers the lot of 'em !

..preying and thriving on the insecurities and prejudices
of mass consumerism.."

Possibly a somewhat over generous description Punkfolkrocker, but it will do.

Over the years, I have spent considerable time and energy teaching my son that various genres are not "crap" simply because HE doesn't like them.

I happen to dislike Rap, but generally refrain from saying so unless my opinion is asked for, and even then I am at pains to emphasise that this is merely my personal taste.

To me, a critic is doing his job when he/she comments on performance or production quality, but oversteps the mark if slagging off the content of a production for reasons of personal preference.

Don T.