The Most Famous Music Critic, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the music critic you think is the most famous!
Updated on May 4, 2024 07:09
Music critics play a pivotal role in shaping public opinion and taste in the music industry. Their insights can guide listeners to new genres and artists, and their evaluations often influence the success of albums and singles. However, with so many voices out there, it's helpful to know which critics have the most impact and why their perspectives are valued by readers.
By participating in the voting process on this site, you contribute to a clearer picture of which music critics resonate most with audiences. This not only assists new readers in deciding whose reviews might best match their musical tastes but also provides a fun, engaging way for fans to interact with the world of music criticism.
Who Is the Most Famous Music Critic?
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173votesKnown for his passionate and sometimes controversial reviews, Lester Bangs is considered one of the most influential music critics of all time. He wrote for publications such as Rolling Stone and Creem, and his work has been compiled into several books.
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223votesAs the "Dean of American Rock Critics," Robert Christgau has been writing about music for over 50 years. He is known for his critical essays and grading system, and has written for publications such as Village Voice and Rolling Stone.
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320votes
Sno · CC BY-SA 4.0Greil Marcus is a music journalist and cultural critic who has written extensively about rock and roll, as well as politics and popular culture. He has written for Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and other publications, and his books include "Mystery Train" and "Lipstick Traces." -
414votes
Justus Nussbaum · CC BY 2.0 deSimon Reynolds is a British music critic who has written for publications such as Melody Maker and The Guardian. He is known for his insightful and often provocative writing, and has authored several books on music and culture. -
522votesJon Pareles is the chief pop music critic for The New York Times, where he has written about music for over 30 years. He is known for his thoughtful and perceptive reviews, and has interviewed and profiled many of the biggest names in music.
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615votesAs the host of "The Needle Drop" on YouTube, Anthony Fantano has become one of the most influential music critics of the digital age. He has a passionate following of fans who appreciate his humorous and insightful reviews of albums and songs.
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711votesAnn Powers is a music critic and author who has written for publications such as The New York Times and Rolling Stone. She is known for her feminist and intersectional approach to music criticism, and has written extensively about women and people of color in the music industry.
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80votesWhile not exclusively a music critic, Chuck Klosterman has written extensively about popular culture, including music. He is known for his witty and often irreverent writing style, and has authored several books on music and culture.
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913votesSasha Frere-Jones is a music critic and essayist who has written for The New Yorker, The Village Voice, and other publications. He is known for his insightful and often challenging writing, and has a deep knowledge of many different genres of music.
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109votes
NonaWA · CC BY-SA 4.0Ellen Willis was a music journalist and feminist who wrote for publications such as The Village Voice and Rolling Stone. She is known for her incisive and insightful writing, and was one of the first critics to write about rock music as a serious art form.
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Ranking factors for famous music critic
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InfluenceHow much impact has the critic had on the music industry and the way people consume and perceive music?
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ReachHow many people read the critic's reviews and follow their opinions on music?
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ReputationHow respected and trusted is the critic within the music community and among the general public?
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KnowledgeHow much expertise does the critic possess in music theory, history, and culture, which enables them to offer informed and insightful critiques?
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Writing skillsHow well is the critic able to articulate their thoughts and opinions in a clear, engaging, and persuasive manner?
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DiversityHow wide-ranging is the critic's taste in music, and how well do they cover different genres, styles, and periods of music?
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LongevityHow long has the critic been active in the industry, and how consistent have they been in delivering thoughtful and relevant critiques over time?
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most famous music critic. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or critic is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2476 views
- 194 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each critic once every 24 hours. The rank of each critic is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most famous music critic
When it comes to music, everyone has an opinion. But some opinions carry more weight than others. Enter the music critic – a professional whose job is to evaluate and critique the latest albums, concerts, and industry news.
Over the years, many music critics have become household names in their own right. From Lester Bangs and Greil Marcus to more contemporary figures like Ann Powers and Anthony Fantano, these individuals have helped shape the way we think about and listen to music.
So who is the most famous music critic of them all? It's a difficult question to answer definitively, as there are so many different criteria one could use to evaluate fame. Some might look at social media followers or book sales, while others might consider the impact a critic has had on the industry as a whole.
Regardless of how you measure fame, there are certainly a few names that come up again and again. Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner, for example, is often cited for his influence on rock criticism in the 1960s and beyond. Robert Christgau, a longtime critic for The Village Voice, is also widely respected for his sharp writing and breadth of knowledge.
Ultimately, the answer to this question may be a matter of personal opinion. But regardless of who you think is the most famous music critic, it's clear that these individuals play an important role in shaping our musical landscape.
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