[Nick Zwar]

I don’t mind such descriptions or evaluations, but when an author describes, as you say, why THAT particular instrument creates THAT particular association or meaning in a work, it’s likely that it all becomes totally subjective and as such, I don’t really need to see that in liner notes.
Of course, there are many examples where particular compositional techniques are explained and examined in the context of a work, and that’s all fine and well, but I am first and foremost not looking for personal opinions and interpretations in liner notes. I think they should serve as a general introduction to a work that enables the listener to explore and understand the work on his or her own terms.
Now obviously, I enjoy other people’s opinions, otherwise, why spend time on Internet forums, but liner notes are not the place for personal interpretation of music, that’s just not something I seek in liner notes. And in fact, that’s now what I see in most liner notes.
To sum it up: The liner notes should enable the listener to better interpret and understand the music, and not interpret and understand the music for them.