Is Fantanon reliable as a critic?

Summary

In this video, the speaker critiques music reviewer Anthony Fantano's inconsistent ratings, highlighting the disparity between his scores and the general consensus on various albums. They express frustration over Fantano's low ratings for acclaimed works like Kendrick Lamar's 'Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers' and praise for artists like Sexy Red and Lil Pump, which they believe deserve lower scores. The speaker points out the hypocrisy in how fans react to Fantano's opinions and reflects on the broader debate of subjectivity in music criticism, ultimately asserting that differing opinions are valid but questioning the basis of Fantano's reviews.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fantano's reviews are often seen as polarizing, with many viewers feeling he is inconsistent in his ratings.
• 🤔 The hypocrisy of criticizing Fantano's opinions while defending other artists' critiques is noted.
• 🎤 Kendrick Lamar's 'Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers' is recognized as a strong album that received a favorable review from Fantano.
• 📉 Albums like 'Ye' and 'Lil Uzi Vert's 'Luv Is Rage 2' received low scores from Fantano, despite their popularity.
• 🤷‍♂️ Some believe Fantano's reviews, such as his score for 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,' are misguided and overly critical.
• 🙄 The reviewer expresses disbelief at Fantano giving 'Sexy Red' an 8/10, viewing it as unworthy of such a high rating.
• 🔍 Fantano is critiqued for his scoring system, especially regarding albums that are seen as solid yet received average scores.
• 📊 Many albums that were scored poorly by Fantano, like 'Days Before Rodeo' and 'House of Balloons,' are viewed as classics by fans.
• 😕 There's a sentiment that Fantano's reviews lack consistency, especially when comparing similar artists and albums.
• 🎶 The overall discussion reflects a broader debate about how art should be evaluated, particularly separating the art from the artist.

Q & A

Who is Anthony Fantano, and what is his significance in music criticism?

Anthony Fantano is a prominent music critic known for his YouTube channel, 'The Needle Drop,' where he reviews albums across various genres. His opinions are widely discussed in the music community, making him a significant figure in contemporary music criticism.

What does the speaker find ironic about Fantano's reviews?

The speaker finds it ironic that while fans argue that Fantano's ratings are just opinions, they react strongly when he rates an album they love poorly, revealing a sense of hypocrisy.

How does the speaker view Fantano's scoring of *Yeezus* and *Luv Is Rage 2*?

The speaker believes that *Yeezus* by Kanye West and *Luv Is Rage 2* by Lil Uzi Vert are outstanding albums, and they disagree with Fantano's lower scores for these works.

What specific criticisms does the speaker have about Fantano's review of Sexy Red?

The speaker criticizes Fantano for giving an eight out of ten to Sexy Red's album, arguing that her music lacks substance and feels more like a joke than a serious artistic effort.

Which albums does the speaker believe deserved higher ratings from Fantano?

The speaker mentions albums like *Life's a Trip* and *Trip at Night* as deserving higher ratings than the five out of ten they received from Fantano.

What past ratings by Fantano does the speaker reference to highlight inconsistencies?

The speaker references Fantano's ratings of *My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy*, which he gave a six, and *Cherry Bomb*, which received a low score, to illustrate what they see as inconsistencies in his reviews.

How does the speaker feel about the concept of separating the art from the artist?

The speaker supports the idea of separating the art from the artist, suggesting that an artist's personal life should not overshadow the quality of their work, using examples like TK and King Von.

What reaction did Fantano's review of *Swimming* by Mac Miller provoke?

Fantano's review of *Swimming*, which he rated a three, was met with backlash from fans who disagreed with his assessment, showcasing the divisive nature of music criticism.

What overall sentiment does the speaker express regarding Fantano's reviews?

The speaker expresses a mix of respect and frustration towards Fantano's reviews, acknowledging his impact while criticizing his scoring system and certain specific ratings.

What conclusion does the speaker draw about differing opinions on music?

The speaker concludes that differing opinions on music are natural and emphasizes that discussions around these opinions can be enjoyable, regardless of whether one agrees with Fantano's takes.