Fans should not criticize change in artistic direction

The moment a musical artist releases a new album, the first response, from many fans, is generally along the lines of, “I like it but it’s not as good as his old stuff.”

As musical artist grow and create, they learn more about the music they truly want to make. Just as musical interests change as a child grows up, musical artists change the dynamic of the music that they want to make. Fans complain about the direction that and artist is taking, but truthfully, they have no say in the matter.

            The scenario plays out every time. I’ll be discussing thoughts of a new album with my friends, and sooner or later someone will say, “It’s too different from their other albums,” or “It’s no where near as good as their other albums.” (Oftentimes it’s me.)

            The problem with this is that fans always expect more of the same music they loved – or something better – from bands, so artists are never allowed to grow artistically or adapt to their situations and moods.

            Most musicians begin making music for themselves. They are not out to prove anything or gain the acceptance of fans. Once fans start to gravitate toward a particular band, these fans suddenly believe that they also have the right to criticize the art.

             That’s not to say fans have to love everything that a band puts out, but they do not have to right to criticize a particular direction a band is taking. Not liking something is different than not allowing a band to grow.

            I know he’s been used as an example in my articles many times in the past, but musician/producer Butch Walker provides deep insight into this situation.

            At the time Walker began his solo career, he had experienced success in the hair-metal band, South Gang, and the alternative rock band, The Marvelous 3. He left both of these bands due to the fact that he wanted to explore different types of music.

            Walker felt trapped, and once he went solo, he knew that he would be making something completely different. Instantly, Walker received widespread criticism for his change dynamics. He lost many fans, and even today, every album is drastically different from the previous one.

            Walker does this because he makes music for himself and his own personal satisfaction. He’s not out to please anyone but himself.

            Fans do not have to love everything an artist they like releases, but criticizing music because it’s, “too different,” or “not as good as,” their old music is an unfair assessment that fans should steer away from. We are being unfair and rather narcissistic when we expect bands to never change just so we can keep liking and listening to the same sounds and messages one album after another.