Who decides which music is “good” or “bad?” More to the point, who decided that  we should accept these judgements at all?! I suspect that bestowing these labels serves the needs of those who need to label and does not at all reflect the reality of music. The essence of music lies in its power to affect (emotionally, I’d add), and any music that does that is fulfilling its duty. There’s a terrific book that speaks to the fact that our perceptions have changed and continue to change over time; therefore no judgements can be considered absolute. Highbrow/Lowbrow: The Emergence of Cultural Hierarchy in America by Larry Levine is as fascinating and  easy to read as it is well-researched. Highly recommended if you’re open to a possible new perspective.

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