How often do you agree with a "pretentious" tag?

[Spyglass]

I'm mostly talking about "art" genres. Out in the real word, I've brought up the genres when talking about Kate Bush and Radiohead and the names have been criticized. It's hard talking about music out here, especially with this COVID-19 problem keeping us socially distanced. If people criticize it as soon as you say it, it makes the conversation quickly end because it's clear the opposing view just doesn't want to talk about it.

The problem here is that these artists exist and that their music goes beyond the norm. You could lump Beatles and The Velvet Underground together because both albums are class-S rock canon and bevause they're both "artists," but to say they sound like each other isn't entirely true. Add the fact that everyonw has their own definition of the word "art," which can depend on style preferences, toleration of certain extremities, unconventionality vs. poptimism, etc., the discussion is endless.
_________________
Do it yourself and let me play my music: https://www.besteveralbums.com/thechart.php?c=61802

[baystateoftheart]

The only artist who jumps to my mind as pretentious is Father John Misty.
_________________
Add me on RYM

[pctrooper]

I think whenever an artist tries really hard to sound like another specific artist that would be a good definition of pretentious for me (pretending to be something you're not). I'm talking about not simply inspiration but forcing oneself to sound like something else to the point that it just feels like a parody or joke of the real thing (Think Greta Van Fleet, for example). That being said, under the definition I just gave I still like some pretentious music every now and then. Script for a Jester's Tear by Marillion sounds an awful lot like Genesis but I quite like it. (Compare "Forgotten Sons" to "The Knife")

[theblueboy]

[LedZep]

I guess you could describe something as "pretentious", I'm fine with that. But what I hate is when people say "I don't like it, it's pretentious". That's probably the worst criticism you could give, it doesn't even mean anything. Is it boring, too experimental, the songwriting is not good enough? No, it's "pretentious"... Hate that. Just say "it's pretentious because it's too experimental and boring", to me that's a much better criticism and shows that you've actually listened to the music in question before dismissing it.
_________________
Finally updated the overall chart

2020s
90s

[Trendall]

The word 'pretentious' can be entirely thrown in the bin, I'm not sure I've ever heard it as a valid criticism of anything.

[baystateoftheart]

[theblueboy]