There inevitably comes a point at which some clever writer or critic seeking prominence will proclaim that contrary to established opinion, this shitty artist or musician is actually great and should be adored but only us truly sophisticated or pure thinks can appreciate the utter brilliance of the man or woman or fish.
And it’s usually bullshit.
Justin Bieber really is a genius. Michael Jackson actually matters. Look at how many records Paul McCartney has sold. Frank Sinatra — the phrasing, the world-weariness! Leonardo DiCaprio’s desperate commitment to his roles!
We’re all supposed to go, oh yes, I’m cool, I can see how the contempt for that artist is just snobbery. Andy Kim really does belong in the Canadian song-writers Hall of Fame for “Sugar Sugar”, along with Leonard Cohen and Neil Young. That guest on CBC’s “Q” that Tom Powers is desperately sucking up to (“Is it possible that you are so great that it actually works against you?” and “when did you first realize that you were a genius?”).