Now that we have the internet,and musicians have the facility to put tracks up on the net for people to listen to,have music critics become redundant.
do we need anyone to tell us what we should like or not like.
some of these critics who take delight in rubbishing others efforts,are failed singers /musicians themselves,of course that does not mean they are not entitled to an opinion,but is their opinion of any value.
Personally I value criticism,from musicians I respect,but too many of the folk music critics[imo]are people whose main abilty seems to be with the pen.