On /mu/ and elsewhere, analysis of non-classical music tends to be based more on abstract notions of quality and "meaning" than actual in-depth analysis.
I NEVER see critics actually examining the compositional techniques used in albums like Illinois, The Glow Pt. 2, or Lift Your Skinny Fists. The only time I have is here on /mu/. In fact, I thought Slint was a pretty average band until I saw a post that looked at the changes in Breadcrumb Trail.
Why is actual analysis so rare? Why are critics more considered with literary criticism than the music itself?