CULTURAS IN VITRO

Like falling off a blog: There has never been a worse time to be a music writer. Where Britain once had three weekly titles, only the NME remains, and the monthlies are prey to narrowing markets and strict advertising targets. The daily flash of today's global sonic network remains undocumented in print. Which is why more and more music writers are joining the likes of Salam Pax and firing off broadsides via their weblogs. Freed from editorial shackles, music bloggers cavort in a paradise for anyone who retains a belief in the worth, nobility and sublime-to-ridiculousness of music criticism.