Mike Mewborne to the rescue!

mikemewborne:

I have a recurring nightmare where I release a new record that gets torn to shreds by Pitchfork.  Not my music, but my vocals and writing… the two areas of which I am most sensitive.  

Alas, it seems that my musical mentor and advocate and dear, dear friend Ben Walker is living this nightmare, but not with a prestigious site like Pitchfork, but with The Punk Site.  Ben was humble enough to post some highlights from this brutal review on his tumblr.  I’d like to address the quoted criticisms:

1. Comparing local acts to national acts- If you don’t compare  local acts that don’t tour nationally to a well-known name, then how would people get an idea of their sound?  It’s already hard enough to make these comparisons without the results being criticized.  When people ask us what The Lovely Few sounds like, I say Sufjan Stevens, James Taylor, The Postal Service, Owen… and that’s NOT saying that I think or feel that I am half as talented or worthy of international acclaim as any of those acts.  

Obviously, these days, comparisons are becoming less and less of an issue because they SHOULD just look up that band on iTunes or Bandcamp.  

At any rate, I think it is completely fair to compare a local act to a national act.  

2. Nostalgia, heartbreak, and “old bastard music”- most pop music lies within the tension of longing, either for yesterday and old relationships or for the future and potential relationships and happiness or resolution.  Referencing older styles or being true to a style is also not to be looked down on, unless we’re done with integrity and innovation.  True innovation cannot happen without reference to the past.  It must be grounded in something before it proceeds.  Furthermore, if you can tell me of another act or group of acts that’s performing with as much energy and conviction as those national acts that Rejectioneers have been compared to, then I will also gladly support and listen to them.  

3.  Annoying vocals- This is purely subjective, and completely invalidated by the likes of Connor Oberst, Frank Sinatra, Joanna Newsom, Bob Dylan, Thom Yorke, Matthew Pryor, J. Mascis, Wayne Coyne, John McCrea, Billy Corgan, Johnny Cash… these people aren’t thought of as SINGERS, but certainly amazing musicians AND lyricists. 

If The Punk Site wants perfect vocals, they can listen to Michael Buble and Justin Bieber. 

All of this being said, I am obviously incredibly biased towards Ben.  I came-of-age musically listening to projects he was a part of while I was in high school and college.  I have always looked up to his stage presence, musicianship, and songwriting.  He has been a treasured advisor to me in various music projects and has proven a dearer and dearer friend over time.  I’m not a professional critic, and if I were I wouldn’t fair well in my career if everyone got good reviews.  Heck, as a musician I wouldn’t appreciate getting good reviews all the time.  It would make me feel cheap and babied.  

Which brings me to the end of the nightmare: after being ashamed of seeing the most intensely personal parts of my musical craft drudged through the mud nationally, my site hits and record sales go through the roof… and for “a band that is virtually unknown outside of its hometown of Columbia, South Carolina,” through the roof record sales really only means that I make back all the money I originally put into the recording time, art, etc.  

““…it’s ridiculous and ultimately unfair to compare a couple of music’s heavyweights to a band that is virtually unknown outside of its hometown of Columbia, South Carolina.”

“…for all intents and purposes, attempts to create a sense of nostalgia for those of us who grew up on the sentimental indie rock scene of the 90s… “old sad bastard music.”“

“25 has a running theme of heartbreak, letdown, and, unfortunately, little else but sad bastardness.”

“I find Walker’s vocals to be about as annoying as nails on a chalkboard, 25 is extremely difficult to stomach. This is especially true when played more than a few times.”

“My advice: Become an instrumental band or let someone else take a crack at singing.””

—

We finally got a review that wasn’t “good”. It you hate us Ben, you should definitely read this one! 

(via rejectioneers)

Thanks Mike for being such a stand-up guy. I wasn’t looking for someone to stand up for me, but I’m glad you did. You’re a good friend and I value your words more than I could ever value the words of an unknown reviewer on an unknown website. 

You shouldn’t fear having your music torn apart by anyone. If they don’t like it then they don’t. It’s no big deal. It’s good. I’m not the only person that thinks so. 

Also, you give me way too much credit. I love you! You’re a great friend.

-Ben