Was Lester Bangs The Best Rock Critic Of The 70s?

A new book makes the case. But Sasha Frere-Jones maintains that making the case is problematic. “Picking an All-Time No. 1 in any category is an exercise that’s generally more fun than scientific. This is especially true when picking top critics, a breed who succeed precisely by being in and of their time. There’s a good chance Bangs owns the ’70s but carving him in marble for all time does his gifts no service.”