I think we get confined into the whole boring rokist/popist parameters. I wouldnt describe Gregs taste as either, so what is he?

http://www.villagevoice.com/pazzandjop06/ballots.php?cid=274

How old is Greg now? Looking at his singles, I couldn't get my dad to make that kind of young list or give some of that a chance. 'Kick Push' at number one is kinda cool. But then you look at his albums and it's like 'This guy is really the godfather of pro-rock critic and he has Girl Talk in his top 10? WTF.' I mean sure it was fun, but surely Greg has heard piles of other beauty. Is he jeopardizing his list to make it young? Is this what we made them do? It's totally our fault.

at least he's not xgau preaching about the wonders of awful compilations like 'crunk hits 2' on NPR

On NPR, lol.

I give anybody who can sift through the mile high pile of new CDs and still remain optimistic (or not dive out a window) huge credit. That has got to be painful. And he still remains a true music fan.

It shouldn't be painful to a music lover.

I like Greg, FTR.

It's painful to listen to stacks of CDs hoping to be reviewed. I once booked for a club and after 3 months the idea of putting on a CD made me ill.

I like Greg's taste better than Jim's. Maybe because I like Greg as a person better.

If it became intolerable, I don't think we'd have him anymore. Greg can craft his career around his taste. He gets paid to talk about the things he picks out of the pile. To applaud and diss music as he pleases. It's fair to expect him to keep up with good new music, especially when he can create an impression. I think he manages it well (well, I don't know, but it seems like he's got it down).

Agreed. Read him or listen to him, you can tell how much he really enjoys music. Even when he's talking about crap he hates.

Kot's in his mid to late 40's. Not sure exactly. I think Dero is a couple years younger. I much prefer Kot's taste to Dero's. Kot has a much broader taste where as if it doesn't rock then Dero has a hard time with it.
Kot has come to embrace hip/hop and rap much more in the last, say 5 or so years. At least that's my perception.
As for having taste like he does at his age. Age doesn't mean anything. It's one's passion for music and the discovery of the new. Kot has it, Christgau...who's over 60...has it, me...staring down 50...has it. My hope is that many of you keep the passion and don't become like SG's dad and most other oldsters.

kot gave me a job
ergo kot wins

No, my dad (54) is in no way not hip. He still has the 'passion and discovery' (downloads like 20 albums a week, just introduced me to Antônio Carlos Jobim). He just wouldn't put Beyonce, Ghostface, and Girl Talk on a list*.

*I still consider age. I think it's a bold thing for Greg to do. How many people in his age group are going to relate? But then again, age has to be obliterated when you are the Trib critic.

my dad told me he's been listening to nothing but dj shadow lately

o_0

Get him Pre-Emptive Strike. I love that disc.

I've never forgiven Greg for not knowing who Andy Dick was.

Pretty good for an old guy.

I'm not in a place where I would check out anything based on his recommendation, though.

Hip uncle.

Greg Kot gave Jdee a a job. Now I know why he likes certain rappers and not others. Wouldnt be surprised if Jdee ghostwriting his rap reviews for him. Seem to have the same tastes.

Good to hear!

GAH, who was that dude!?! I heard that review...




http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6588688


Found it.