New York Times has become one of the most read newspapers in America and across the globe. It has won the Pulitzer Prize 98 times since its beginning in 1851 and the opinions of its writers are not taken lightly. It encompasses readers of every race, religion, color, and age, making for a diverse paper that covers almost every subject underneath the sun. From sports and entertainment to business and politics, the reader can rest assured that it holds the latest and most accurate news on whatever subject they are looking for. Because of its world-renowned name and immense popularity, the public holds the New York Times as a valid source and its writers as some of the best in their field. The review “The Case against Coldplay” by Jon Pareles was held with no less esteem. His skillful use of sarcastic humor, impregnable facts, and logical assertions make for an argument that shows much insight into the critical world of music. While his “Case against Coldplay” holds immeasurable vulnerabilities his undeniable use of examples, critique, and humor go far to making this argument an almost success.
Jon Pareles has been declared by Ira Robbins (the co-founder and co-editor of the Trouser Press) in Stephen Ward’s article “The Grey Lady’s Pop Music Man”, “by far the finest working critic in America” and America has had no reason to dispute that statement. His name as a critic is renowned and his opinions are not taken for granted by music artist or consumers. As a well- seasoned critic, Jon Pareles is completely aware of the diverse and well-informed audience he is addressing his argument to, and as such he leaves no angle of the argument unaddressed. He completely annihilates opposition by candidly stating every point that opposes his arg...
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... his argument and appealing to the reader’s sense of justice and logic. His professional handling of sarcastic humor, that would be the death to most critics, undeniably makes this argument an almost success. In “The Case against Coldplay”, while Pareles may not make a complete success of his argument by being almost overly critical of Coldplay’s music, he does present his work well with the professionalism and skill that has made his name famous in the world of entertainment. Whether ignorant, fanatical, or critical of Coldplay’s music, Pareles’ succeeds in appealing to the innate sense of logic and justice that lies within each human with indisputable facts and borderline humor.
Works Cited
Pareles, Jon. “The Case against Coldplay.” Everything’s an Argument. Ed. Andrea A.
Lunsford and John J. Ruszkiewicz. 4th ed. Boston: Bedford, 2007. 281-284.
-Hebdige, Dick, “In Poor Taste: Notes on Pop,” chapter in Modern Dreams: The Rise and Fall of Pop (New York: ICA & London: MIT Press, 1988) pp. 77-85
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