"If you were a true fan. . ."
Then what? If I were a true fan I would unquestioningly love everything from group X, every movie from director Y, every book by author Q, etc. And I would make sure that I vehemently berated and lambasted anyone who disagreed. I would, in no uncertain terms, remind those who didn't "get" whatever the item may be that, if they were true fans, they would grovel at the feet of the artist.
Case in point: Tool.
Good band. Lots of talent, interesting music with quite a few layers, often socially and politically charged lyrics that are not superficial, no doubt, they are a cut above many bands out there. I don't have much of their music because it is also rather vulgar and profane at times, but hey, that is just a personal preference.
Amidst almost hurricane force gales of internet buzz, the anticipation for their newest release, 10,000 Days, has been frantically building over the past few months. And now, of course, the album has been leaked. Despite the band's best efforts to prevent it.
This has obviously led to reviews of the album showing up premature of its release date online. Some openly praising the album, others a bit more cautious in their praise. But what has really struck me is that those who haven't had an aurgasm (I thought I made that word up, only to have a Google search show me there is a site with that very name!) over the album are instantly being told they must not be "true Tool fans". In fact, I read comments from a self-proclaimed "true fan" that went something like this (to a person who has heard the album and was somewhat nonplussed):
Well, you must not be a true Tool fan. If you were you would love it. I haven't heard it but I already know it is going to be the best album ever, bringing world peace to us all, stopping crime in all countries, feeding the hungry masses, all while washing my dishes, clothes and doing my housework. And I know that because I am a true Tool fan.
Okay, so I might have exaggerated a bit there. But you get the point. What a tool. And, no, I don't mean fan.
Being a true fan doesn't mean you automatically love everything an artist does. After all, no band, author, etc. is going to produce pure gold every time. I am a huge Rush fan. In fact, I would say I am a true Rush fan. But that doesn't mean I love every single song they have ever written. There are a few stinkers I just won't listen to. But, I still respect the band. I still look forward to what they are going to try next, and will still follow their career with much interest.
Being a true fan does not mean I have to mindlessly love everything. And those who seem to think it does need to try thinking for themselves.