A lot about your musical self-understanding can be sussed out by examining your relationship with Donovan. You think Donovan is an effeminate bore? Congratulations, you are able to parse 19th-century archetypes and signifiers in the most basic manner possible. You see Donovan as a milder, less authentic version of Bob Dylan? Engaging him solely through comparison to others is useful, but also lazy. You've avoided him because you don't want your friends to think less of you? Maslow touched on this in "A Theory of Human Motivation" (1943). Donovan's work is yes, tender, and yes, silly, but don't be fooled by his skill as a tunesmith: this only sounds simple. His balancing act is complete and perfect. Its depth will reward you if you let it.

dnord 18 Dec 2014