PropertyOfZack is very excited to welcome back Evan Lucy for his second Contributor Blog. Evan is a writer for some of your favorite magazines and publications and has written a wide-range of stories on many of your favorite bands. In his second blog, Evan discusses and analyzes Patrick Stump’s recent letter to fans regarding his ties to Fall Out Boy, backlash from fans, disappearing from the stage following his solo album, and much more. Stump’s letter was one that affected many, and Evan’s new write-up brings forth great perspective. Make sure to read the full piece and check back for more from Evan in the future!
A few weeks ago, Patrick Stump dropped a bombshell on the scene. In a blog post on his website titled “We Liked You Better Fat: Confessions of a Pariah,” the former Fall Out Boy frontman took aim and haters and detractors. Tons of artists have written these sorts of rebuttals, but they generally tend to come off as childish and petulant—you know, the ones that usually end with some statement about how if said critics had any talent, they’d be the ones onstage instead of watching from the crowd. But not Stump’s; there was a palpable sadness throughout his post. The following section was particularly moving:
“What I wasn’t prepared for was the fervor of the hate from people who were ostensibly my own supporters (or at least supporters of something I had been part of). The barrage of ‘We liked you better fat,’ the threatening letters to my home, the kids that paid for tickets to my solo shows to tell me how much I sucked without Fall Out Boy, that wasn’t something I suppose I was or ever will be ready for.”
Heavy stuff. Right off the bat, this tells me two things: First, Mr. Stump needs a hug. Second, just like our parents taught us, words hurt. Above all, his post was incredibly brave. He might have been the one to sing the line, “I don’t care what you think as long as it’s about me,” but it’s clear to see all the naysaying, trash-talking, and general surliness and nastiness has taken quite a toll on his psyche.
And it should. Trust me, I get it; I’m the one who spends much of my time dissecting and critiquing musicians’ art. Their livelihood. The product that they spent time, money, energy and heart to create. But just like not everyone is great at basketball, painting or cooking, not every piece of music out there is good. In fact, a lot of it is awful. As a critic, my job is to be honest. And that’s harder than you might think. It’s easy to be negative, but it’s never fun. There might be some people out there that get some sick pleasure out of tearing other people down, but not in my eyes. It’s not easy to give an artist you respect and like a critical and negative review. It’s actually pretty gut-wrenching. I’ve written about and positively reviewed albums by people I loathe, and I’ve given harsh reviews to musicians I love and respect. Either way, it’s important to be professional. There’s no room for personal attacks—the same things Patrick Stump endured. Believe it or not, it is possible to be critical and opinionated without resorting to mud-slinging and insults.
