For about two years now, the online music magazine buzzword has been “derivative.” Here is an example of how an online music magazine/indie rock know-it-all would use this word: “Oh my God, I can’t believe that no one has noticed how Interpol are so derivative! They’re ripping off Joy Divison!!!! And they’re not even having seizures!!!”
But why exactly is “derivative” such a dirty word? Why is there the belief that every album must be entirely new and original for it to receive a …

Why didn’t my mother introduce me to Badfinger? Why don’t I ever hear Badfinger on Oldies radio? And furthermore, why didn’t my mother introduce me to the Yardbirds? Why didn’t I really start loving these bands until I was 17 – in Badfinger’s case, an unfortunate 19? C’mon Mom, why didn’t you do that for me? (It should be known, I would also be attacking my father if he hadn’t given me his copy of Bootsy? Player of the Year.) It’s because of you that when I heard Red Tandy …