Dazzled by Art

Music writers were once known for being much crankier than the average listener. What happened? The Culture Industry: A Centenary Issue Subscribers get full access. Read the issue » There is something a bit funny, at any rate, about pop-music criticism, which purports to offer serious analysis of a form that is often considered (by other people, who are also, in a sense, critics) rather silly. In 1969, Robert Christgau, the self-proclaimed Dean of American Rock Critics, began writing a Village Voice column called “Consumer Guide,” in which he assigned letter grades to new albums. He took pleasure in irritating the kinds of rock-loving hipsters who “considered consumption counterrevolutionary and didn’t like grades either.” He described the music of Donny Hathaway as “supper-club melodrama and homogenized jazz” (self-titled album, 1971: D-), and referred to George Harrison as a “hoarse dork” (“Dark Horse,” 1974: C-). In 1970, in Rolling Stone, Greil Marcus, another pioneering rock cri...

The actor, 45, looked worlds away from his sexually frustrated signature character as he posed on the red carpet alongside a Tyrannosaurus Rex. But can you guess who? SHARE SELECTION Black Friday Kim Kardashian Victoria Beckham Harry Styles Amanda Holden Britain's Got Talent Privacy Policy Tuesday, Aug 19th 2025 5-Day Forecast Advertisement Kevin Costner drops explosive images that threaten to blow 'unscripted rape' claim sky-high Inside the 'dark side' of tourist destination where a British woman was forced to pay thousands to rescue animals from 'death camp for dogs' EuroMillions winning numbers for biggest EVER jackpot are revealed - are YOU £210million richer? SARAH VINE: I hate having to rent. But now tax-grabbing Labour is coming after the roof over our heads I've decided I'll never own a house again AMANDA PLATELL: Prince William needs to man up. His new obsession suggests he has forgotten everything the late Queen stood for... this is why I...

Rain can't stop play when there's so much indoor fun on the cards It might well be the summer holidays, but we don't always get the sunshine to go with it. That doesn't mean the fun needs to stop though, as there are loads of indoor events and activities to keep kids of all ages entertained . From museums and indoor beaches, to train rides and karting, there's no end to the places you can visit to keep dry and have a good time. With families watching the pennies more than ever , we've included plenty of free activities to make the most of too, as well as a list of places kids eat free or for £1 here . To make sure you're always up-to-date with events, you can sign up to our Manchester Family newsletter or join our FREE Manchester Family WhatsApp group by clicking here . Here's our full round-up of indoor events and things to do in and around Greater Manchester this summer... There’s a giant 10-metre-long sleeping cat you can visit this summer at Manche...