this article has sparked a curiosity that was eliminated when I read through several dozen of christgau's reviews. I always found his writing to be impetuous and cynical; not only those typical negative reviews which lacked real criticism of the art (opting instead for ad hominems and unelaborated sneers), but especially the positive reviews, which seems wholly unfocused on the joy and greater purpose of music beyond his apparent preoccupation with the "hip"

I was younger then, and figured if this attitude represented "counter-culture" tastes and values, I would go looking my own separate way against the grain. thank you Ted, for reigniting my historical curiosity about the broader picture of the village voice and what it represented!