Criticism, Sans Facts

      You'd think that editors would pay more careful attention to facts in their articles-- especially in "review"-like material in which facts are more crucial simply because of the surrounding opinion.   Case in point, this piece on the 50 Worst Songs of Great Rockers by, apparently, a bunch of idiots that know little about rock music.   Beyond whatever disagreements, one reaches this sort of critical nose-dropping:

Someone Like You, Van Morrison: Van The Man's Have I Told You Lately is one of the most nakedly honest love songs ever written. So he decided to make it again! Unfortunately, it turned out to be this boring photo negative. Plus, they named an Ashley Judd movie after it, never a good sign.

Er, no.   Fact: "Someone Like You" predates "Have I Told You Lately," appearing first on the Poetic Champions Compose album in 1987-- long before it was associated with any silly Ashley Judd movie (or Bridget Jones' Diary or French Kiss or Only The Lonely or....). "Have I Told You Lately" wasn't told until 1989's Avalon Sunset.   Problem with this sort of error, it calls into question the very knowledge and familiarity upon which the opinionators pretend to base their opinions.   This is the sort of mock-criticism that gives criticism a very, very, very bad name, indeed.   Doctor J's rule of critical thumb: if you don't know what you're talking about, shut the hell up.   At the least, have your facts straight.