We can agree to disagree about Sasha Frere-Jones. David Remnick and I like him, and I’m increasingly convinced we’re alone in that regard. But few critics derive as much pleasure from discussing pop trifles, or do it with as much pizzazz. Clearly I was not about to let his paean to Beyonce go unremarked. Best observation: “‘Single Ladies’ is an infectious, crackling song and would be without fault if it weren’t the bearer of such dull advice. The wild R&B vampire Sasha is advocating marriage? What’s next, a sultry, R-rated defense of low sodium soy sauce?”
Low-sodium soy sauce! Swish!
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I’ve been pretty outspoken about SFJ’s faults, and they are many. But I’ve always admitted that he’s at his best writing about “pop auteurs” – Mariah Carey, R. Kelly, and Beyonc
Just noticed the headline on this one. Nicely done, Matt.
Etta James still owns “At Last”.