Dougherty Arts Center
Criticism Is Fine, but ...
RECEIVED Tue., Nov. 22, 2005
Dear Editor,
It's obvious Darcie Stevens disliked the Bayta Darell CD [“Texas Platters,” Music, Nov. 11]. That's fine, she is a critic. But the review is so inaccurate that you must wonder whether she only listened once or that maybe she disliked it so much that she knew exactly how to cheaply and maliciously discourage any curious listeners. By tossing out the word Christian, a word that always divides. And with comparisons to Depeche Mode and the Beach Boys, two dissimilar bands that in our current pop culture have become comical and lost credibility. The review seems intended to send people running. Is it that hard to point out what you don't like but pitch the CD to the people that might like it?
How she could find some kind of musical similarity to Depeche Mode is astonishing. There are no synths, electronic beats, pop songs, or a voice even slightly similar to Martin Gore or Dave Gahan. If you like Godspeed or Mogwai but wish that sometimes they had singing then you might like Bayta Darell. If you like Sigur Rós but wish you knew what they were saying then you might like this CD. If you like Radiohead, Mum, This Mortal Coil, or Low, you might like this CD. Darcie, the Beach Boys are not the only band to have prominent vocal harmonies. Remember the Beatles? Also, there is nothing overtly Christian in the words or music. The CD is as Christain as Achtung Baby or The Joshua Tree. The songs are open-ended and could easily address romantic concerns or spiritual concerns depending on the listener. Some type of knowledge and integrity should back reviews. By either being lazy or mean, Darcie has shortchanged a young and creative Austin band.
It's obvious Darcie Stevens disliked the Bayta Darell CD [“Texas Platters,” Music, Nov. 11]. That's fine, she is a critic. But the review is so inaccurate that you must wonder whether she only listened once or that maybe she disliked it so much that she knew exactly how to cheaply and maliciously discourage any curious listeners. By tossing out the word Christian, a word that always divides. And with comparisons to Depeche Mode and the Beach Boys, two dissimilar bands that in our current pop culture have become comical and lost credibility. The review seems intended to send people running. Is it that hard to point out what you don't like but pitch the CD to the people that might like it?
How she could find some kind of musical similarity to Depeche Mode is astonishing. There are no synths, electronic beats, pop songs, or a voice even slightly similar to Martin Gore or Dave Gahan. If you like Godspeed or Mogwai but wish that sometimes they had singing then you might like Bayta Darell. If you like Sigur Rós but wish you knew what they were saying then you might like this CD. If you like Radiohead, Mum, This Mortal Coil, or Low, you might like this CD. Darcie, the Beach Boys are not the only band to have prominent vocal harmonies. Remember the Beatles? Also, there is nothing overtly Christian in the words or music. The CD is as Christain as Achtung Baby or The Joshua Tree. The songs are open-ended and could easily address romantic concerns or spiritual concerns depending on the listener. Some type of knowledge and integrity should back reviews. By either being lazy or mean, Darcie has shortchanged a young and creative Austin band.
James Adkisson
