Robert Christgau - A Look At The Dean Of Critics
When we think about folks who have really helped us figure out what’s good in music, especially rock, one name that often comes up is Robert Christgau. He is, you know, a very well-known writer and thinker who has spent a lot of time sharing his ideas about music. For years, he has been putting out his thoughts and feelings on different records and artists, helping people make sense of the sounds around them.
You can find a lot of what Robert Christgau has written over the years in different spots. He puts out a regular newsletter, for instance, called "And It Don't Stop," where he keeps up with new things and shares what he thinks. He also has a website that acts like a big collection of his work, showing off reviews, longer pieces, lists of favorites, and even talks he has had with other people. It’s pretty much a treasure chest for anyone wanting to get a feel for his long career.
This writer, who is basically a cornerstone of music talk, has been around for quite a while. He has seen music change so much, and he has always been right there, sharing his perspective. His writings have, in a way, become a guide for many, showing how to listen more deeply and think about music in new ways. So, let's take a closer look at what makes Robert Christgau such a special figure in the world of music writing.
Table of Contents
- Getting to Know Robert Christgau
- How Did Robert Christgau Shape Music Writing?
- Where Can You Find Robert Christgau's Thoughts?
- What Music Does Robert Christgau Listen To?
Getting to Know Robert Christgau
Who is Robert Christgau?
Robert Christgau is, you know, a very well-known rock critic and a thinker who shares his ideas with the public. He was born on April 18, 1942, and is an American writer who looks at music and also writes longer pieces on different topics. He is considered one of the people who really changed how music criticism worked, so, his voice carries a lot of weight. He got his start in the late 1960s, being one of the very first people to write about rock music for a living. He also, in a way, helped bring attention to new kinds of music like hip hop, a movement called riot grrrl, and the sounds coming from African popular music. He really helped people see the worth in these different styles, which is something quite special.
Beyond his writing, Robert Christgau also teaches. He is a professor who talks about music history at New York University, which is NYU for short. He has also put out several books that talk about popular music, sharing his wide knowledge with many readers. So, he is not just someone who writes reviews; he is someone who helps others think more deeply about music's past and present, which is pretty neat.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert Christgau |
| Date of Birth | April 18, 1942 |
| Nationality | American |
| Primary Profession | Music Journalist, Essayist, Rock Critic |
| Other Roles | Public Intellectual, Professor of Music History at NYU, Author |
| Known For | Influential Ratings System, Pazz & Jop Critics' Poll, Consumer Guide Column, Early Rock Criticism, Promoting New Genres |
| Home Base | Lifelong New Yorker |
How Did Robert Christgau Shape Music Writing?
The Early Days of Robert Christgau's Career
Robert Christgau began putting his thoughts on music down on paper for a well-known magazine called Esquire back in 1967. This was, you know, a time when rock music was still pretty new, and not many people were writing about it in a serious way. So, he was truly one of the first professional writers to focus on rock. Then, in 1969, he started writing a regular column for a newspaper in New York called the Village Voice. This was a big deal because it gave him a steady place to share his views, and it allowed him to really build a following. His early work helped set the stage for how people would talk about rock music for years to come. He was, in a way, laying down the groundwork for a whole new kind of writing.
His work during those early years was pretty groundbreaking. He was not just saying if a record was good or bad; he was thinking about what the music meant, how it connected to the world, and what feelings it brought up. He had a way of looking at things that was, honestly, quite deep, and he helped people see that music was more than just entertainment. It was something to be thought about, debated, and taken seriously. This approach, you know, really helped shape what music criticism would become.
What Makes Robert Christgau's Ratings Stand Out?
One of the things Robert Christgau is really known for is his special way of rating albums. He has a system that many people recognize, and it has become a sort of guide for music lovers. You see, he doesn't just give a simple star rating; his grades often come with a bit of explanation, giving you a sense of why he feels a certain way about a record. This system, in some respects, helps you understand his perspective without just telling you what to like. It's more about inviting you into his way of thinking about the sounds.
He also started something called the Pazz & Jop critics' poll. This was, you know, an annual survey where a lot of music writers would share their top picks for the year. It started back in 1974, and maybe even in 1971, with the Village Voice. This poll became a really important way to see what the collective group of music thinkers were listening to and enjoying. It helped to, in a way, create a bigger picture of the year's best music, and it showed how Robert Christgau was thinking about music not just on his own, but also as part of a larger conversation. His Consumer Guide column, which is also very well-known, is another example of how he organized his thoughts on many, many albums, making it easier for people to explore new sounds.
Robert Christgau's Influence on New Sounds
Robert Christgau didn't just stick to the rock music he started with; he was, actually, one of the first people to really champion new sounds that were coming up. For example, he was an early supporter of hip hop, which was, at the time, a very new kind of music that some people didn't quite understand. He also spoke up for the riot grrrl movement, a powerful voice in music that brought up important ideas. And, you know, he helped bring attention to popular music from Africa, showing people that there was so much more to listen to beyond what was common in America. He truly had an ear for what was fresh and important, even if it wasn't what everyone else was talking about yet.
Allen Barra, another writer, really praised Robert Christgau for how much he has influenced music writing. Barra talked about how Christgau has a lot of authority in what he says, and how he covers such a wide range of music. He also mentioned that Robert Christgau shares tips on how to keep up with new sounds, which is, like, pretty helpful for anyone trying to stay current. This shows that he is not just looking back at old music, but always trying to understand what is happening right now. He also has, in a way, strong views on the politics and the feelings behind rock and roll, which makes his writing even more interesting to read.
Where Can You Find Robert Christgau's Thoughts?
The Digital Presence of Robert Christgau
These days, you can find a lot of Robert Christgau's work online, which is, honestly, very convenient. He publishes a newsletter on a platform called Substack, and it's called "And It Don't Stop." This is a great place to get his current thoughts and reviews. He also has his own website, which is, in some respects, a huge collection of almost everything he has ever written. You can find all his reviews there, along with his longer pieces, lists of his favorite things, and even interviews he has done. It's like a big library of his thoughts, which is pretty cool.
On his website, you can also look through his "Consumer Guide," which is a very well-known part of his work. This guide lets you browse and search through a database of more than 17,000 albums that he has rated. You can look for reviews by the artist's name, the record label, the year it came out, the grade he gave it, or even the title of the album. It's a really useful tool for anyone who wants to see what he thought about a particular record, or just to explore new music based on his recommendations. He also, you know, contributes regular music reviews to a program called "All Things Considered," which many people listen to.
What Books Has Robert Christgau Shared?
Beyond his articles and online presence, Robert Christgau has also put out several books. He wrote a book about his life called "Going into the City," which is a memoir. This book gives you a look into his experiences and thoughts, which is, like, pretty personal. He also has another book called "Grown Up All Wrong." These books, you know, gather his writings and ideas into a longer format, letting readers spend more time with his unique way of looking at things.
One of his more recent books, "Is It Still Good to Ya," came out on October 28, 2018. It was put out by Duke University Press and is quite a substantial read, with 456 pages. It was available in both a hardcover version and a paperback version. This book, you know, is said to be a tour through his life and times, written in a way that feels very real and full of feeling. It's described as a kind of love letter to a New York that has changed a lot, and also a way to show how art can really change things for people. It is, basically, a very deep look at his journey and his connection to music and culture.
He is, you know, often called "the dean of American rock critics," which tells you a lot about how much people respect his work. He has been writing about popular culture since he was just twelve years old, which is, like, a really long time. This long history means he has seen so many changes in music and has been able to write about them with a perspective that few others have. His books are a good way to get a broader sense of his thoughts and how they have developed over the years.
What Music Does Robert Christgau Listen To?
It's pretty clear that Robert Christgau lives and breathes music. It's not, you know, uncommon for music to be playing in his home for a very long time each day, sometimes between 12 to 18 hours. Imagine that! He really lets the sounds wash over him. Then, when he feels ready, he starts to write about what all those sounds, which have been swirling around in his head for most of the day, make him feel. This shows that his writing comes from a very deep place of listening and feeling, which is, honestly, quite special.
His reviews cover a very wide range of artists and albums, showing his broad taste. For instance, he has written about The Who's "My Generation" from 1966 and "Sell Out" from 1967, and also their "Live at Leeds" from 1970. He also looked at "A Quick One (Happy Jack)/The Who Sell Out" from 1970. But he doesn't just stick to rock. He has reviewed Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Strong Persuader" from 1986, and Willy and the Poorboys from 1969. He also covered Marshall Crenshaw's "Field Day" from 1983, and Culture's "Two Sevens Clash" from 1987. You know, he even wrote about Miles Davis's "Jack Johnson" from 1971, and Debarge's "In a Special Way" from 1983. This list just gives you a small taste of the many, many different kinds of music he has listened to and shared his thoughts on. He truly has an open ear for sounds from all over the place, which is, like, pretty neat.
Robert Christgau's work is a testament to a life spent deeply connected to sound. He is, basically, someone who has dedicated his time to understanding and explaining the power of music, from its earliest forms to the very latest sounds. His ongoing contributions, whether through his newsletter, his website, or his books, keep his ideas available for anyone who wants to think more about the music that shapes our lives. He continues to be a very important voice for those who care about what they hear.
Robert Christgau: Home
Robert Christgau: Home
Robert Christgau: Home
