SXSW Coverage

Any criticism worth reading is one that provides a larger context to its subject. Fusing a belief or idea into the writing is what separates a critic from a reporter.

For this reason, the reader shouldn’t be surprised to see that three critics (Jim DeRogatis of WBEZ.org, Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune and Thomas Conner of the Chicago Sun-Times) extracted three unique perspectives from Bruce Springsteen’s keynote address at this year’s SXSW festival. Though each provides a distinctive insight, neither holds less or more weight than the other.

One opinion rings true throughout the three articles ­– Bruce gave an unexpectedly good speech. Kot likened the address as an hour-long critique of music history. Providing the audience with a litany of his personal influences, Springsteen discussed everyone from Elvis to the Sex Pistols. Going hand in hand with this lesson in rock ‘n’ roll history was a comment on the industry’s current status. The music scene has splintered into a seemingly incalculable number of sub-genres. These particular focal points are where the three critics diverged in their articles.

Kot wrote, “What matters is not how the music is created, but the ‘power and purpose’ behind it.” The critic used Springsteen’s speech as a lens to examine the passion every true artist contains. Underneath Springsteen’s encyclopedic knowledge of music was a clear admiration for the art. Kot emphasizes Springsteen’s respect for James Brown and notes the admission that the Animals’ song, “We Gotta Get Out of This Place" sums up his entire discography. Looking back, Kot viewed the keynote address as a showcase of Springsteen’s passion and reverence for his peers.

Conner also noticed Springsteen’s extensive knowledge of music. However, the critic differs from Kot in that he viewed the various bands as a statement that music cannot be restricted to a simple definition. He provides the following quote from Springsteen that reads, "The one thing that's been consistent over the years is the genesis and the power of creativity. It's all about how you're putting what you do together. The elements you're using don't matter. It's not confined to guitars, tubes, turntables or microchips. There's no right way, no pure way of doing it -- there's just doing it." The sea of bands that flooded the clubs of Austin for those three nights is evidence enough that music means something different to each individual. No matter if you’re listening to a Woody Guthrie song or something along the lines of melodic death metal, the transcendental experience only music provides is a unifying theme that connects all listeners.

Within the third article, Jim DeRogatis provides a comment on the music industry’s changing climate. Certainly, the plethora of sub-genres has created a sustainable niche market. However, the critic questions whether this “ever-narrowing” scope of rock ‘n’ roll ultimately isolates the listener. After all, he insists, “there was a magic to be had in the universal shared experience.” A concrete answer isn’t provided because only the future can tell us that. However, Springsteen views variety, not as exclusionary, but an illustration that “the ideals he grew up with are alive and well.”

The three critics all tackled the same event and, in some instances, they quoted the same material. However, the point to be taken here is not that one critic should be regarded higher than another. Rather, bringing your own personality and ideas is fundamental to the critical process. Otherwise, every article would be a carbon copy of one another and what’s to be learned from that?