The Useless Critic 2.0

I had a friend once tell me, "You know, Britt, even though you have a blog called "The Useless Critic" - I rarely see you be critical. You typically praise things." Hold up. That's about to change (and, yes, pun intended in the previous sentence). The Xx is a band I've adored for years and been pleased to see popping up again in my news and social media feeds. Their first album was a modern indie classic (wow that sentence was gross to type) and their second album was a tour de force in its own way, a remarkable follow-up. Even their song for the Gatsby soundtrack, "Together," still sends chills up my spine. But. But. But . All great artists are capable of dropping their brush at least once. And maybe every great football player trips right before scoring a game-winning touchdown, too (I don't know, I don't know sports). So the fact that Xx released "On Hold" was only a matter of statistics not in their favor more than a wa...

The sad news broke over the weekend that Sharon Jones passed away from her long battle with pancreatic cancer. Now, much has been said about her death these past several days, and what I offer will likely echo much of what has come before me. But, in a year of losses, Sharon's was another unfortunate tally to an ever-sadly-growing list. Sharon, primarily, was a survivor. She was someone who made an entrance into professional consciousness in her 40s, which is more or less unheard of in the music industry. She was someone who quickly moved into the mainstream and was besotted with much-deserved attention. I admit I didn't listen to her as much as I probably should have, but I'm re-listening to her this evening and simply reveling in the beauty of her voice. Sharon was a true singer in an era that lacks many. She will be missed. I picked this song to honor her with tonight because it sort of feels reflective of the mood right now TBH.