5 Times Pitchfork Clashed With Fantano

The world of music criticism can be a contentious one, with passionate opinions and strong personalities often coming to a head. One of the most notable figures in music criticism today is Anthony Fantano, aka The Internet's Busiest Music Nerd, who has built a massive following on YouTube and beyond for his in-depth reviews and eclectic tastes. However, not everyone in the music world shares Fantano's opinions or enthusiasm, and one of the most notable clashes has been with the influential music publication Pitchfork.

In this article, we'll explore five times when Pitchfork and Fantano found themselves at odds, highlighting the differences in their approaches to music criticism and the implications for the broader music community.

1. The Kendrick Lamar Debate

One of the most notable clashes between Pitchfork and Fantano came in 2015, when Fantano gave a scathing review of Kendrick Lamar's critically-acclaimed album "To Pimp a Butterfly." While Pitchfork had awarded the album a perfect score, Fantano panned it, calling it "a frustrating and confusing mess." This sparked a heated debate in the music world, with many fans and critics weighing in on both sides.

Fantano's criticism of "To Pimp a Butterfly" was not just about the album's sound, but also about the cultural context in which it was released. He argued that the album's themes of black empowerment and resistance were undermined by its experimental and often inaccessible sound. Pitchfork, on the other hand, saw the album as a groundbreaking work of art that pushed the boundaries of hip-hop and black music.

Why This Matters

The debate over "To Pimp a Butterfly" highlights the different approaches to music criticism taken by Pitchfork and Fantano. While Pitchfork tends to focus on the artistic and cultural significance of an album, Fantano is more concerned with the music itself and whether it resonates with him on a personal level. This difference in approach can lead to vastly different opinions on the same album, as we saw with "To Pimp a Butterfly."

2. The Problem with Poptimism

Another area where Pitchfork and Fantano have clashed is on the issue of poptimism, a critical approach that emphasizes the value of popular music and challenges the traditional hierarchy of high and low culture. Fantano has been critical of poptimism, arguing that it can lead to a lack of critical rigor and a willingness to praise music simply because it is popular.

Pitchfork, on the other hand, has been a leading voice in the poptimist movement, arguing that popular music is just as worthy of serious critical consideration as more experimental or underground sounds. This difference in approach has led to some heated debates between Fantano and Pitchfork writers, with Fantano accusing the publication of being overly focused on mainstream tastes and Pitchfork accusing Fantano of being elitist.

Why This Matters

The debate over poptimism highlights the ongoing struggle to define the role of the music critic in the digital age. As music becomes increasingly democratized and accessible, critics are forced to confront the fact that their opinions are no longer the only ones that matter. Poptimism represents one approach to this challenge, emphasizing the value of popular music and the importance of engaging with a broad audience. Fantano's criticism of poptimism, on the other hand, reflects a more traditional view of the critic as a gatekeeper of taste and quality.

3. The Issue with Indie Rock

Fantano has also clashed with Pitchfork over the issue of indie rock, a genre that has been a staple of the publication's coverage for years. Fantano has been critical of the indie rock scene, arguing that it has become stagnant and overly reliant on nostalgia and retro sounds.

Pitchfork, on the other hand, has continued to champion indie rock, highlighting the innovative and experimental work of bands like Arcade Fire and The National. This difference in approach has led to some heated debates between Fantano and Pitchfork writers, with Fantano accusing the publication of being overly focused on a narrow and elitist scene.

Why This Matters

The debate over indie rock highlights the ongoing struggle to define the boundaries of the genre and the role of the critic in shaping our understanding of it. As indie rock continues to evolve and diversify, critics are forced to confront the fact that their opinions are no longer the only ones that matter. Fantano's criticism of indie rock reflects a more skeptical view of the genre, emphasizing the need for innovation and experimentation. Pitchfork's continued support for indie rock, on the other hand, reflects a more optimistic view of the genre's potential and its ongoing relevance.

4. The Controversy Over Drake

Another area where Pitchfork and Fantano have clashed is on the issue of Drake, the Canadian rapper and singer who has become one of the most successful artists of the past decade. Fantano has been critical of Drake, arguing that his music is overly reliant on ghostwriting and that he has become a symbol of the music industry's emphasis on commercialism over artistic merit.

Pitchfork, on the other hand, has been more supportive of Drake, highlighting his innovative production style and his ability to craft catchy and memorable songs. This difference in approach has led to some heated debates between Fantano and Pitchfork writers, with Fantano accusing the publication of being overly focused on mainstream tastes and Pitchfork accusing Fantano of being elitist.

Why This Matters

The debate over Drake highlights the ongoing struggle to define the role of the critic in the digital age. As music becomes increasingly democratized and accessible, critics are forced to confront the fact that their opinions are no longer the only ones that matter. Fantano's criticism of Drake reflects a more skeptical view of the music industry, emphasizing the need for artistic merit and integrity. Pitchfork's support for Drake, on the other hand, reflects a more optimistic view of the artist's potential and his ongoing relevance.

5. The Problem with Critical Consensus

Finally, Fantano has also clashed with Pitchfork over the issue of critical consensus, the idea that a particular album or artist is widely regarded as great by critics. Fantano has argued that critical consensus can be stifling, leading to a lack of diversity and innovation in music criticism.

Pitchfork, on the other hand, has tended to emphasize the importance of critical consensus, arguing that it provides a useful guide for readers who are looking for new music to explore. This difference in approach has led to some heated debates between Fantano and Pitchfork writers, with Fantano accusing the publication of being overly focused on mainstream tastes and Pitchfork accusing Fantano of being contrarian.

Why This Matters

The debate over critical consensus highlights the ongoing struggle to define the role of the critic in the digital age. As music becomes increasingly democratized and accessible, critics are forced to confront the fact that their opinions are no longer the only ones that matter. Fantano's criticism of critical consensus reflects a more skeptical view of the music industry, emphasizing the need for diversity and innovation in music criticism. Pitchfork's emphasis on critical consensus, on the other hand, reflects a more optimistic view of the critic's role in shaping our understanding of music.