http://www.continuumbooks.com/series_details.cgi?sid=311
has anyone actually read one yet?
― Matt Sab (Matt Sab), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 14:39 (twenty years ago) link
― robin (robin), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 14:57 (twenty years ago) link
― robin (robin), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 14:58 (twenty years ago) link
― M Matos (M Matos), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 15:15 (twenty years ago) link
― robin (robin), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 15:47 (twenty years ago) link
― Tom (Groke), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 15:58 (twenty years ago) link
I like his writing...I love the album.
― ddb, Tuesday, 7 October 2003 16:03 (twenty years ago) link
Wasn't it Zappa who said this?
― scottjames23 (worrysome-man), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 19:07 (twenty years ago) link
i think it's pretty well accepted that (a) both frank and elvis said this, (b) but various others (charles mingus, for example) said it way before they did, and (c) trying to figure out who exactly thought of it first is kind of like, ya know, dancing about architecture.
― fact checking cuz, Tuesday, 7 October 2003 19:36 (twenty years ago) link
Hey, when will Douglas Wolk's book be out then?
― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 19:46 (twenty years ago) link
Right now I'm writing a sequence about a bear that climbed a fence in Duluth right about the time James Brown was singing "I Don't Mind" and thereby came yay-close to starting World War III.
I can't WAIT to read Matos on Prince and Elisabeth Vincentelli on ABBA.
― Douglas (Douglas), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 20:39 (twenty years ago) link
:::drool:::
― M Matos (M Matos), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 21:20 (twenty years ago) link
― M Matos (M Matos), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 21:21 (twenty years ago) link
― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 21:46 (twenty years ago) link
― M Matos (M Matos), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 21:53 (twenty years ago) link
http://33third.blogspot.com/
Enjoy!
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 9 April 2005 13:52 (nineteen years ago) link
― Eric von H. (Eric H.), Saturday, 9 April 2005 14:00 (nineteen years ago) link
― tylerw, Saturday, 9 April 2005 14:03 (nineteen years ago) link
― Masked Gazza, Saturday, 9 April 2005 14:14 (nineteen years ago) link
― walter kranz (walterkranz), Saturday, 9 April 2005 15:04 (nineteen years ago) link
― Amateur(ist) (Amateur(ist)), Saturday, 9 April 2005 15:16 (nineteen years ago) link
― Amateur(ist) (Amateur(ist)), Saturday, 9 April 2005 15:34 (nineteen years ago) link
I'll probably read the Entroducing book.
― Jordan (Jordan), Saturday, 9 April 2005 16:28 (nineteen years ago) link
I also got the feeling (primarily from the VU book) that the writers were getting their one and only chance to write about a particular passion and as a result I felt like there was this barely constrained urge to branch out beyond the scope of the single album in question. Maybe my personal expectations for this type of book were off base but I think that for example the artist's personal life should barely if at all come into play.
I might be more interested in reading one by a writer who had already done a full biography of the artist in question so that the standard gossipy stuff and most common observations would already be out of the way. Maybe then the author would be forced to focus more deeply on the music in abstract terms and not worry about some of the more mundane details. But these criticisms are all very nitpicky and I'm sure I'll be ordering another batch soon.
― walter kranz (walterkranz), Sunday, 10 April 2005 00:45 (nineteen years ago) link
The Armed Forces one? That's definitely on the top of my list. I'm optimistic because it's a pretty interesting choice out of the early Costello albums so I'm guessing he'll have something unique to say. A lot of the other picks are very classic-rock-y but maybe once those are out of the way the series will get more interesting.
― walter kranz (walterkranz), Sunday, 10 April 2005 00:52 (nineteen years ago) link
― Rickey Wright (Rrrickey), Sunday, 10 April 2005 03:07 (nineteen years ago) link
― Douglas (Douglas), Sunday, 10 April 2005 06:53 (nineteen years ago) link
Just out of curiosity, could you tell me what you think is the difference between turntablism and scratching?
Turntablism is the description of scratching that’s supposed to make people who don’t listen to hip-hop, sit up and go “Hmm, maybe it is real music.” Scratching, to me, is just what it is. Turntablism has this virtuosic aspect to it, and to me, that’s when things start to turn jazzy. And I’m not a huge fan of when things turn jazzy. Because when I think of jazzy, I think of Wynton Marsalis.
― Hurting (Hurting), Sunday, 10 April 2005 08:28 (nineteen years ago) link
i saw Douglas's book in the shop the other day. Looked a bit dauntingly 'conceptual' on a quick flip through, what with all the headings and shit. But I'm sure it's a good read and i'll probably buy it. Anybody else read this?
― zebedee (zebedee), Sunday, 10 April 2005 13:54 (nineteen years ago) link
― Hurting (Hurting), Sunday, 10 April 2005 16:47 (nineteen years ago) link
I should really put together a proposal for "Return to the 36 Chambers".
― Forksclovetofu (Forksclovetofu), Sunday, 10 April 2005 16:49 (nineteen years ago) link
― Orange, Sunday, 10 April 2005 16:56 (nineteen years ago) link
Songs in the Key of Life, by Dave HesmondhalghParallel Lines, by Elisabeth VincentelliThree Feet High and Rising, by Brian ColemanTusk, by Stephin MerrittComputer Love, by Michael BracewellMarquee Moon, by David KeenanMaster of Puppets, by Tom BissellThe Basement Tapes, by Damon Krukowski
The editor/creator of the series, David Barker runs a blog about the series. Email him directly if you like:
I finally read one of these. I think I picked a great place to start, Douglas Wolk's Live at the Apollo. It was really really good.
― Matt Sab (Matt Sab), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 15:19 (eighteen years ago) link
― zaxxon25 (zaxxon25), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 15:29 (eighteen years ago) link
― PB, Wednesday, 27 July 2005 15:32 (eighteen years ago) link
― s1ocki (slutsky), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 15:34 (eighteen years ago) link
also got the ABBA one, which i devoured in a day. twas OK, wish Ms Vincentelli had spent fewer sentences justifying (or having to justify) the book's very existence. also i'm not sure she cracked the problem of how to order the narrative, though I accept it's a toughie.
― zebedee (zebedee), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 15:35 (eighteen years ago) link
These are a few of the projects that - for various and sometimes complicated reasons - never made it to fruition. Some came very close to happening, others less so; but they all would have been fun.
― Matt Sab (Matt Sab), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 16:03 (eighteen years ago) link
Songs in the Key of Life, by Dave Hesmondhalgh
Why not?
― Eric H. (Eric H.), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 16:48 (eighteen years ago) link
Matos' Sign O'The Times book's prince has been slashed (on Amazon at least) to $4.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0826415474/qid=1122928710/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/002-2999298-5726417?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
― Matt Sab (Matt Sab), Monday, 1 August 2005 19:47 (eighteen years ago) link
This has been a difficult process: we received dozens of very strong proposals from dozens of very good writers and it's a shame to have to turn down so many of you.
If you're interested, the 33 1/3 books we eventually decided to sign up are:
"If You're Feeling Sinister" by Scott Plagenhoef
"Aja" by Don Breithaupt
"Shoot Out the Lights" by Hayden Childs
"Pretty Hate Machine" by Daphne Carr
"Use Your Illusion" by Eric Weisbard
"Horses" by Phil Shaw
"Double Nickels on the Dime" by Mike Fournier
"Pink Moon" by Amanda Petrusich
"People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm" by Shawn Taylor
"Achtung Baby" by Stephen Catanzarite
"20 Jazz Funk Greats" by Drew Daniel
"The Dreaming" by Ann Powers
"Rid of Me" by Kate Schatz
"Another Green World" by Geeta Dayal
"Songs in the Key of Life" by Zeth Lundy
"Trout Mask Replica" by Kevin Courrier
"Let's Talk About Love" by Carl Wilson
"Lucinda Williams" by Anders Smith Lindall
"69 Love Songs" by LD Beghtol
“Marquee Moon” by Peter Blauner
“Swordfishtrombones” by David Smay
― that's so taylrr (ken taylrr), Thursday, 26 January 2006 18:36 (eighteen years ago) link
― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Thursday, 26 January 2006 20:38 (eighteen years ago) link
― cancer prone fat guy (dubplatestyle), Thursday, 26 January 2006 20:41 (eighteen years ago) link
― Mark (MarkR), Thursday, 26 January 2006 20:47 (eighteen years ago) link
― j blount (papa la bas), Thursday, 26 January 2006 21:41 (eighteen years ago) link
― j blount (papa la bas), Thursday, 26 January 2006 21:42 (eighteen years ago) link
― cancer prone fat guy (dubplatestyle), Thursday, 26 January 2006 21:42 (eighteen years ago) link
― fact checking cuz (fcc), Thursday, 26 January 2006 22:24 (eighteen years ago) link
― j blount (papa la bas), Thursday, 26 January 2006 22:26 (eighteen years ago) link
― Redd Harvest (Ken L), Thursday, 26 January 2006 22:30 (eighteen years ago) link
― cancer prone fat guy (dubplatestyle), Thursday, 26 January 2006 22:31 (eighteen years ago) link
― Haikunym (Haikunym), Friday, 9 June 2006 17:57 (seventeen years ago) link
― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 9 June 2006 18:06 (seventeen years ago) link
― Huk-L (Huk-L), Friday, 9 June 2006 18:48 (seventeen years ago) link
So then I guess he didn't read the 100-odd pages in which Matos discussed Prince.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Friday, 9 June 2006 20:48 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 9 June 2006 20:53 (seventeen years ago) link
DeRo is a FUCKING MORON.
― Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Friday, 9 June 2006 20:55 (seventeen years ago) link
― Terrible Cold (Terrible Cold), Friday, 9 June 2006 20:55 (seventeen years ago) link
― Jeff LeVine (Jeff LeVine), Friday, 9 June 2006 21:09 (seventeen years ago) link
Yeah, it's all info, no prose. A lot of the 33 1/3 books seem to forget how much people like that.
― Whiney G. Weingarten (whineyg), Friday, 9 June 2006 22:05 (seventeen years ago) link
― gear (gear), Friday, 9 June 2006 22:32 (seventeen years ago) link
― David Bachyrycz (David Bachyrycz), Friday, 9 June 2006 22:37 (seventeen years ago) link
Someone should do Tom T. Hall's greatest hits.
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 9 June 2006 22:56 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Friday, 9 June 2006 22:58 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Friday, 9 June 2006 22:59 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 9 June 2006 23:00 (seventeen years ago) link
seriously though, i realize the books have to sell, hence the more mainstream angle. i'm sure there are a ton of albums the writers would love to write about that aren't commercially viable for the publisher.
― gear (gear), Friday, 9 June 2006 23:11 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 9 June 2006 23:26 (seventeen years ago) link
actually do you think they would let somebody self-33 1/3? if it was some famous musician?
― s1ocki (slutsky), Friday, 9 June 2006 23:33 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 9 June 2006 23:38 (seventeen years ago) link
― ¨ˆ¨ˆ¨ˆ¨ˆ¨ˆ¨ˆ (chaki), Friday, 9 June 2006 23:41 (seventeen years ago) link
― J.D. (Justyn Dillingham), Friday, 9 June 2006 23:55 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 9 June 2006 23:56 (seventeen years ago) link
― that's so taylrr (ken taylrr), Saturday, 10 June 2006 02:04 (seventeen years ago) link
Morrissey is not attracted to Morrissey.
― jinx hijinks (sanskrit), Saturday, 10 June 2006 02:15 (seventeen years ago) link
Carl Wilson is writing one about Celine Dion's "Let's Talk About Love".
― NoTimeBeforeTime (Barry Bruner), Saturday, 10 June 2006 02:59 (seventeen years ago) link
― Jeff Reguil0n (Talent Explosion), Saturday, 10 June 2006 03:14 (seventeen years ago) link
― Steve Schneeberg (Steve Goldberg), Saturday, 10 June 2006 11:52 (seventeen years ago) link
― Raw Patrick (Raw Patrick), Saturday, 10 June 2006 15:25 (seventeen years ago) link
― Raw Patrick (Raw Patrick), Saturday, 10 June 2006 15:30 (seventeen years ago) link
― Terrible Cold (Terrible Cold), Monday, 12 June 2006 15:45 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tripmaker (SDWitzm), Monday, 12 June 2006 15:52 (seventeen years ago) link
This is more or less happening with LD Beghtol writing about 69 Love Songs. No idea how it's coming along; I haven't talked to him since the EMP Pop Conference.
― Joseph McCombs (Joseph McCombs), Monday, 12 June 2006 15:59 (seventeen years ago) link
― dh (djh), Monday, 12 June 2006 17:26 (seventeen years ago) link
The Stone Roses one was okay, not much in the way of new info and insights really (though I did learn that what I previously thought was just a guitar string squeak in "Elizabeth My Dear" was really supposed to be a silenced gunshot.)
The Riot one was excellent. I especially liked his first chapters talking from the point of view of someone who was there.
I had high hopes for the Endtroducing one since it's one of the few (only?) hip-hop books but it was really just one long interview with Shadow. Very boring, gross hyperbole at the beginning (the author says something along the lines of Endtroducing not sounding like anything before or since type crap) and Davis himself is not the most interesting of interviewees.
The VU and Nico had some informative info but Joe Harvard's writing style and attitude just rubbed me the wrong way.
― Viz (Viz), Monday, 12 June 2006 17:28 (seventeen years ago) link
― Jay Vee's Return (Manon_69), Monday, 12 June 2006 17:35 (seventeen years ago) link
― Haikunym (Haikunym), Monday, 12 June 2006 17:54 (seventeen years ago) link
― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Monday, 12 June 2006 18:29 (seventeen years ago) link
For this series, I've really enjoyed both the personal takes and insights gained from repeated close listenings that the authors bring to their books and the Endtroducing one was more like "here's an oral history of DJ Shadow" and it didn't focus enough on Endtroducing.
I think the format that was used for the Paul's Boutique book would have served Endtroducing a lot more, ie. context, process, funny stories behind the samples...
― Viz (Viz), Monday, 12 June 2006 19:56 (seventeen years ago) link
― less-than three's Christiane F. (drowned in milk), Saturday, 15 July 2006 06:52 (seventeen years ago) link
― Roque Strew (RoqueStrew), Saturday, 15 July 2006 20:55 (seventeen years ago) link
― david allen grier (dubplatestyle), Saturday, 15 July 2006 21:37 (seventeen years ago) link
― reynard the fox (Pearl Hooch), Saturday, 15 July 2006 21:40 (seventeen years ago) link
I'd like to read more though. I'd most like to read ones that either give a lot of details about the making of the record or do close critical analysis rather than ones that are more off-the-wall in their theorizing. Which ones would suit me?
― Matt Olken (Moodles), Saturday, 15 July 2006 22:11 (seventeen years ago) link
I pitched it and got rejected.
― Dave Segal (Da ve Segal), Saturday, 15 July 2006 22:44 (seventeen years ago) link
― less-than three's Christiane F. (drowned in milk), Sunday, 16 July 2006 01:46 (seventeen years ago) link
― Dave Segal (Da ve Segal), Sunday, 16 July 2006 01:49 (seventeen years ago) link
― less-than three's Christiane F. (drowned in milk), Sunday, 16 July 2006 02:06 (seventeen years ago) link
― Haikunym (Haikunym), Sunday, 16 July 2006 02:09 (seventeen years ago) link
― gypsy mothra (gypsy mothra), Sunday, 16 July 2006 03:28 (seventeen years ago) link
I don't see why this is so hard to believe.
And yes, Dominique Leone posts on ILX.
Jesus, ILM these days is a chore.
― jaymc (jaymc), Sunday, 16 July 2006 05:40 (seventeen years ago) link
― s1ocki (slutsky), Sunday, 16 July 2006 06:41 (seventeen years ago) link
― s1ocki (slutsky), Sunday, 16 July 2006 06:42 (seventeen years ago) link
― so hongro, so angry (haitch), Sunday, 16 July 2006 07:17 (seventeen years ago) link
― Steve Go1dberg (Steve Schneeberg), Sunday, 16 July 2006 16:30 (seventeen years ago) link
concerning joy div books there is the highly recommended ian curtis biography by mick middles. personal, insightful and touching. with lots of typos but that makes it even more loveable.
― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Wednesday, 13 September 2006 05:49 (seventeen years ago) link
― wogan lenin (dog latin), Wednesday, 13 September 2006 09:08 (seventeen years ago) link
― a rapper singing about hos and bitches and money (Enrique), Wednesday, 13 September 2006 09:12 (seventeen years ago) link
― Revivalist (Revivalist), Wednesday, 13 September 2006 09:41 (seventeen years ago) link
― meritocracy (spencerman), Wednesday, 13 September 2006 17:11 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 13 September 2006 17:13 (seventeen years ago) link
― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 13 September 2006 17:20 (seventeen years ago) link
― Stew (stew s), Wednesday, 13 September 2006 17:39 (seventeen years ago) link
― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 13 September 2006 17:44 (seventeen years ago) link
― the dow nut industrial average dead joe mama besser (donut), Wednesday, 13 September 2006 17:47 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 13 September 2006 17:50 (seventeen years ago) link
― Stew (stew s), Wednesday, 13 September 2006 18:29 (seventeen years ago) link
― Edward III (edward iii), Wednesday, 13 September 2006 19:48 (seventeen years ago) link
So Velvet Underground & Nico is your Big Mac and any semirevered afterworks like Unknown Pleasure or Loveless are just kid's meals. the new ones with milk and carrots.
But I'm wondering if that's what all the books give you, a THIS IS IT AND ALL THERE IS LEFT of anything credible.i.e. I'll read Loveless and it'll convince me of the untimeliness of so-called 60s rock purveyors. or something.
I think I just want to get another one because I like the size. It's nice and tiny for metro rides.I might like to read ABBA one, if that's any good. I have no interest in NMH, though I'm wondering if I'm mistaken. I think Borders has Live at the Apollo so maybe that one.
― mox twelve (Mox twleve), Friday, 15 September 2006 08:50 (seventeen years ago) link
― mox twelve (Mox twleve), Friday, 15 September 2006 08:52 (seventeen years ago) link
― wogan lenin (dog latin), Friday, 15 September 2006 09:02 (seventeen years ago) link
― Rickey Wright (Rrrickey), Friday, 15 September 2006 09:07 (seventeen years ago) link
― Kv_nol (Kv_nol), Friday, 15 September 2006 10:31 (seventeen years ago) link
― Eppy (Eppy), Friday, 15 September 2006 14:18 (seventeen years ago) link
― Dominique (dleone), Friday, 15 September 2006 14:55 (seventeen years ago) link
― j blount (papa la bas), Friday, 15 September 2006 18:04 (seventeen years ago) link
Hey, I pitched Violator and got the same answer! (Well, presumably the same form letter.)
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 15 September 2006 18:07 (seventeen years ago) link
― j blount (papa la bas), Friday, 15 September 2006 18:09 (seventeen years ago) link
Or are you referring to those evil, corporate new-fangled bookstores where you can sit there all day and just read anything they have without buying it blount?
― don weiner (don weiner), Friday, 15 September 2006 19:59 (seventeen years ago) link
― M. Agony Von Bontee (M. Agony Von Bontee), Friday, 15 September 2006 20:13 (seventeen years ago) link
― Run Ruud Run (Ken L), Friday, 15 September 2006 20:15 (seventeen years ago) link
― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 15 September 2006 20:18 (seventeen years ago) link
― j blount (papa la bas), Friday, 15 September 2006 21:05 (seventeen years ago) link
And, what, that's dumb, VCN would be awesome to read about. It's dumb because it would probably sell just as well if not better than the rest of them. Like, all these books, their market have probably already read a ton of stuff on whoever they want to read about anyway. Who IS reading them? The people on this thread? So, not popular enough would be a plus. Books are not even in stores. anyway. Whatever. In theory they're cool little companion pieces the music collection.
― mox twelve (Mox twleve), Friday, 15 September 2006 21:23 (seventeen years ago) link
All that said Vision Creation Newsun is an album I would definitely be interested in reading more about.
― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 15 September 2006 21:47 (seventeen years ago) link
― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 15 September 2006 21:52 (seventeen years ago) link
in a lot of ways, it wouldn't matter if i liked the record or not.
― sean gramophone (Sean M), Friday, 15 September 2006 21:54 (seventeen years ago) link
http://www.amazon.com/Miles-Beyond-Electric-Explorations-1967-1991/dp/0823083608/sr=1-14/qid=1158360979/ref=sr_1_14/104-1248919-2000735?ie=UTF8&s=books
― gear (gear), Friday, 15 September 2006 21:56 (seventeen years ago) link
― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 15 September 2006 22:03 (seventeen years ago) link
― Amateur(ist) (Amateur(ist)), Friday, 15 September 2006 23:03 (seventeen years ago) link
― Myke. (Myke Weiskopf), Saturday, 16 September 2006 02:49 (seventeen years ago) link
You're telling me!
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 16 September 2006 03:00 (seventeen years ago) link
I'd like to figure out how much Dominique would've expected to get paid for a project such as this, so that I may just save up or get on a payment plan or something and he can just write it for me.
― Period period period (Period period period), Saturday, 16 September 2006 04:34 (seventeen years ago) link
Yes, the rationale behind the rejection of "Violator" (not popular enough) makes no sense ... it's sold more copies than probably 90% of the other albums featured in the series. I guess "not popular enough" is code for "the way we see it, faggy synth pop fans don't read rock-crit".
― NoTimeBeforeTime (Barry Bruner), Saturday, 16 September 2006 16:15 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 16 September 2006 16:20 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 16 September 2006 16:22 (seventeen years ago) link
I felt sure there was one about Tago Mago. No?
― RoxyMuzak© (roxymuzak), Saturday, 16 September 2006 16:30 (seventeen years ago) link
Not to say that Continuum decided to pick either NIN *or* DM, but I can certainly see the rationale for choosing PHM over Violator. There's a lot of mileage to be had from arguing that NIN came out of nowhere and sold a couple million records and "took the mainstream by surprise" or whatever, all of it happening before grunge got credit for doing the exact same thing (and with 100000X more press and airplay). I'm not sure you can argue that with DM, since they were a well-established band at that point. Plus, the same people who would buy a DM book are also likely to be interested in an NIN book.
― NoTimeBeforeTime (Barry Bruner), Saturday, 16 September 2006 16:41 (seventeen years ago) link
― Amateur(ist) (Amateur(ist)), Saturday, 16 September 2006 16:46 (seventeen years ago) link
― Amateur(ist) (Amateur(ist)), Saturday, 16 September 2006 16:47 (seventeen years ago) link
It's never had an obvious one but it's had a sometimes-grudging one. But even Rolling Stone did a positive main (but not cover) story on the band when that came out, a couple of years after they reviewed 101 in a way that could be described as 'cavemen meet aliens and try to tell fellow cavemen about the sparkly lights in the sky.'
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 16 September 2006 17:04 (seventeen years ago) link
LIKE ABBA GOLD
― the dow nut industrial average dead joe mama besser (donut), Saturday, 16 September 2006 17:30 (seventeen years ago) link
― Daniel_Rf (Daniel_Rf), Saturday, 16 September 2006 18:00 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 16 September 2006 18:01 (seventeen years ago) link
― Eppy (Eppy), Saturday, 16 September 2006 18:23 (seventeen years ago) link
Big Difference.
― the dow nut industrial average dead joe mama besser (donut), Saturday, 16 September 2006 18:27 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Saturday, 16 September 2006 18:28 (seventeen years ago) link
― RoxyMuzak© (roxymuzak), Saturday, 16 September 2006 18:30 (seventeen years ago) link
Anyway, this may be crazy talk, but maybe many books got turned down because of reasons other than the albums' popularities and seminal statuses.
Maybe they were't impressed the writers' work?
Maybe they felt too uncomfortable because they didn't know someone who knew someone who knew that writer?
Maybe someone in the committee had "this bands is the sucks" veto power?
These decisions were not made by science. I'm not claiming they're just arbitrary, reactionary, or dumb opinions either. But they boil down to opinions.
Unless 33 1/3rd has a patent on album review books (which I don't think they do, although surely they have it on the name), if there's such a demand for more album review books, and the series is selling well, is there not a possibility of an alternative publishing source?
― the dow nut industrial average dead joe mama besser (donut), Saturday, 16 September 2006 18:33 (seventeen years ago) link
― RoxyMuzak© (roxymuzak), Saturday, 16 September 2006 18:34 (seventeen years ago) link
― RoxyMuzak© (roxymuzak), Saturday, 16 September 2006 18:35 (seventeen years ago) link
― the dow nut industrial average dead joe mama besser (donut), Saturday, 16 September 2006 18:53 (seventeen years ago) link
― the dow nut industrial average dead joe mama besser (donut), Saturday, 16 September 2006 18:54 (seventeen years ago) link
― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Saturday, 16 September 2006 19:06 (seventeen years ago) link
― m coleman (lovebug starski), Saturday, 16 September 2006 19:13 (seventeen years ago) link
― m coleman (lovebug starski), Saturday, 16 September 2006 19:25 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Saturday, 16 September 2006 19:44 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Saturday, 16 September 2006 19:49 (seventeen years ago) link
― timmy tannin (pompous), Saturday, 16 September 2006 20:08 (seventeen years ago) link
"Slacker aesthetic"--huh?
― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Saturday, 16 September 2006 20:27 (seventeen years ago) link
― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Saturday, 16 September 2006 20:31 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Saturday, 16 September 2006 20:37 (seventeen years ago) link
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 16 September 2006 20:41 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Saturday, 16 September 2006 20:42 (seventeen years ago) link
― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Saturday, 16 September 2006 21:35 (seventeen years ago) link
― scott seward (scott seward), Saturday, 16 September 2006 21:39 (seventeen years ago) link
― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Saturday, 16 September 2006 21:45 (seventeen years ago) link
John COUGAR mellencamp
― Haikunym (Haikunym), Saturday, 16 September 2006 21:45 (seventeen years ago) link
xposts - I've seen a few in stores and again reiterating: not meant as a reflection on anyone's work in particular. just about the idea for the series in general.
― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Saturday, 16 September 2006 21:57 (seventeen years ago) link
― scott seward (scott seward), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:00 (seventeen years ago) link
― scott seward (scott seward), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:01 (seventeen years ago) link
― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:02 (seventeen years ago) link
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:02 (seventeen years ago) link
― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:03 (seventeen years ago) link
― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:06 (seventeen years ago) link
― katie quirk (dubplatestyle), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:07 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:11 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:12 (seventeen years ago) link
― katie quirk (dubplatestyle), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:13 (seventeen years ago) link
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:14 (seventeen years ago) link
I guarantee 100% hyperballed-to-the-wall reading akshun.
― the dow nut industrial average dead joe mama besser (donut), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:24 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:27 (seventeen years ago) link
for about the fourth time, talking about the general impression of what the idea for the series was. haven't been inspired to read any of 'em yet but i'll be sure to let you guys know.
here you are, a guy who talks about music all day long on the internet, sneering at a series of books that do the same as "dull and unambitious." kinda pot-meets-kettle, isn't it?
no actually spent four years recently working just about every single night while in grad school then working taking care of young child etc. on m.a. thesis on the aesthetics of late '60s psych - about a year and a half of just listening and taking notes, seven months of organizing 400+ pages of notes producing roughly 180 page document actually discussing content of about 400 songs from the period all organized around central theme (psychedelic music as late manifestation of aesthetics associated with surrealism) but whatevs, dude.
― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:27 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:31 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:36 (seventeen years ago) link
this is absurd, too. any criticism or questioning when it's from the other side is obviously sneering isn't it, michaelangelo?
― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:40 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:41 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:45 (seventeen years ago) link
― RoxyMuzak© (roxymuzak), Saturday, 16 September 2006 22:47 (seventeen years ago) link
― timmy tannin (pompous), Saturday, 16 September 2006 23:30 (seventeen years ago) link
― Wrinklepossum's Awesome Blossom (Wrinklepaws), Saturday, 16 September 2006 23:57 (seventeen years ago) link
An anthology like Stranded ismore about the writers and their choices where the 33 1/3 series just by looking at the format is nominally about the albums. Maybe the pay is so low for 33 1/3 and you don't get royalities so you basically can write whatever you want ;-) But I like listening to albums way more than reading about em so take this with an extra shaker of salt.
― m coleman (lovebug starski), Sunday, 17 September 2006 01:09 (seventeen years ago) link
why so strange!? there are so many ways to approach a subject.
― scott seward (scott seward), Sunday, 17 September 2006 01:32 (seventeen years ago) link
I feel bad about saying this ;'-(
I just think there's an inherent trashiness to pop music and it's there regardless of how massive something ends up being. So that's a part of why canonizing in pop music literature (and certainly this book series is hardly the worst offender) feels stodgy to me. Naturally, the conservatism of a lot of canonizing in the literature is the most annoying part.
― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Sunday, 17 September 2006 02:21 (seventeen years ago) link
maybe I'm being too literal-minded here, or just playing armchair editor again. but I sense a big disconnect between the tight editorial focus of the series overall and the apparently discursive and/or digressive approach taken by some writers. and I'm not saying those individual books don't work, hey I haven't read em either, I'm trying to make a bigger point about rock criticism or music writing or whatever you want to call it (saddle up hobby horse). After 25 plus years of reading (and writing) this stuff I've decided the Lester Bangs and Greil Marcus style/tradition of "ambitious" or adventurous music writing is exhausted, a dead end that stops writers from developing and frightens off many smart readers.
maybe this is a product of being a music critic for many years while remaining kinda ignorant about music...not that I ever seriously wanted to be a guitar player more than a good writer...it's more like if I read a book about one of my fave albums I'd want to learn about the songwriting, recording, the musicians' experience etc.
of course Scott's right, there are many ways to address a subject, but I think a lot of pop music writing ignores its subject at times.
can you imagine buying a book about the movie Carrie and then reading not about Brian DePalma but the author's own prom nightmare?
― m coleman (lovebug starski), Sunday, 17 September 2006 11:19 (seventeen years ago) link
― Haikunym (Haikunym), Sunday, 17 September 2006 12:32 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Sunday, 17 September 2006 19:22 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Tuesday, 19 September 2006 15:31 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 19 September 2006 15:34 (seventeen years ago) link
― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Tuesday, 19 September 2006 15:41 (seventeen years ago) link
Kinks Village Green - very on-message, a bit of cultural backgroundUnknown Pleasures - more a potted history of JD than about the albumMurmur - a combination of recording history and interpretation, very highly regarded by someMarquee Moon - was this ever even published??Meat is Murder - "fiction", not about the album at allAeroplane Over the Sea - focused, apparently inspirational to some!Velvets and Nico - about the album, writing sometimes clumsyLet It Be (Beatles) - totally on-message, recording sessions, etcOK Computer - somewhat dry, musicological, academic, mostly dislikedForever Changes - perhaps pretentious, mostly lyrical analysis Piper at the Gates - focused, some interviews, possibly a bit dullHarvest - a straight telling of the album's creationExile on Main St. - good, vivid, a few personal anecdotes from Buffalo Tom singerPet Sounds - focused, but a bit too personal/emotion-based for someEndtroducing - almost all one long interview with Josh DavisElectric Ladyland - focused, good on guitars, nothing very newMusic from Big Pink - a novella about a drug dealer who hangs out with The BandLet It Be (Replacements) - a short memoir by the dude from the Decembrists, not about the album at allKick Out the Jams - some love this, some find it boring, but it seems like a straight history of the MC5's beginningsLed Zep IV - pretentious, overanalytical, and awesome!Low - focused, historical, very strongGrace - I can't tell! It's either really good or very bad.Dusty in Memphis - random, tangential, about the South - both loved and hatedSign Of the Times - partly autobiographical, but mostly about the album itself, and that part of Prince's careerPaul's Boutique - very sharp, very smart, all about the making of the albumRamones - very good on punk history and the album itselfDoolittle - lots of interviews with Frank Black, journalistic, good on lyrics and surreaslismBorn in the USA - not sure about this one - seems to have been ignored by most peopleArmed Forces - an A-Z of entries, very focused but too dry for someAbba Gold - basically a potted history of Abba themselves - weirdLive at the Apollo - very cool retelling of James Brown's live show, interspersed with some stuff about the Cuban Missle Crisis, etcAqualung - written by a British professor; no ideaThere's a Riot Goin' On - solid, about the album, and a little creativeThe Stone Roses - not sure: pretty straightforward analysis, I think.
― meritocracy (spencerman), Tuesday, 19 September 2006 16:45 (seventeen years ago) link
― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Tuesday, 19 September 2006 16:48 (seventeen years ago) link
― gear (gear), Tuesday, 19 September 2006 16:53 (seventeen years ago) link
― don weiner (don weiner), Tuesday, 19 September 2006 17:14 (seventeen years ago) link
― T. Weiss (Timmy), Tuesday, 19 September 2006 17:28 (seventeen years ago) link
― don weiner (don weiner), Monday, 8 January 2007 03:31 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 8 January 2007 03:34 (seventeen years ago) link
― showed that a nuts internet was only worth 78,000 hoosteens (Hoosteen), Monday, 8 January 2007 03:39 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 8 January 2007 03:40 (seventeen years ago) link
― Hoosteen (Hoosteen), Monday, 8 January 2007 03:49 (seventeen years ago) link
― don weiner (don weiner), Monday, 8 January 2007 03:56 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 8 January 2007 03:57 (seventeen years ago) link
― don weiner (don weiner), Monday, 8 January 2007 04:03 (seventeen years ago) link
― Michael J McGonigal (mike mcgonigal), Monday, 8 January 2007 04:04 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 8 January 2007 04:05 (seventeen years ago) link
― Haikunym (Haikunym), Monday, 8 January 2007 04:09 (seventeen years ago) link
Unless it was like that dreadful OK Computer book on 33 1/3.
― don weiner (don weiner), Monday, 8 January 2007 04:09 (seventeen years ago) link
― don weiner (don weiner), Monday, 8 January 2007 04:10 (seventeen years ago) link
― less-than three's Christiane F. (drowned in milk), Monday, 8 January 2007 05:23 (seventeen years ago) link
― curmudgeon (DC Steve), Monday, 8 January 2007 06:11 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tripmaker (SDWitzm), Monday, 8 January 2007 15:05 (seventeen years ago) link
Nice work, Mike. You did the album proud. Fantastic, and I look forward to reading Ned's take in "Marooned."
― don weiner (don weiner), Thursday, 18 January 2007 00:58 (seventeen years ago) link
The Alan McGee bit is the greatest moment of unintentional (on his part) comedy I've read in a *long* time.
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 18 January 2007 01:04 (seventeen years ago) link
― don weiner (don weiner), Thursday, 18 January 2007 01:21 (seventeen years ago) link
i've gotten very little feedback just yet so this super means a lot. i was worried that maybe it's to self-indulgent/ referential, or that the delays had messed up the thing's "flow," or... you know, just worried and feeling insecure about it!
anyway, i can't wait to read the one on 'who sell out' as it's totally one of my top five favorite albums ever and i can't say that i know much about it, either.
― Michael J McGonigal (mike mcgonigal), Thursday, 18 January 2007 03:12 (seventeen years ago) link
― A Radio Picture (Rrrickey), Thursday, 18 January 2007 10:27 (seventeen years ago) link
― cw (cww), Thursday, 18 January 2007 11:23 (seventeen years ago) link
― Michael J McGonigal (mike mcgonigal), Thursday, 18 January 2007 11:32 (seventeen years ago) link
Yes, my friend.
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 18 January 2007 13:34 (seventeen years ago) link
Has anyone read the 69 Love Songs one yet? I picked it up but haven't read it but it looks like a compendium more than anything else.
― Viz (Viz), Thursday, 18 January 2007 17:24 (seventeen years ago) link
It also made me want to take a time machine back to the Maxwell's and City Gardens (Trenton, NJ) shows I saw them play. Oh, and one glorious one at The Ritz in NYC where people swarmed out during "You Made Me Realize" . Colm was a wonder to behold during that song. Cheers!
― Jay Vee's Return (Manon_69), Thursday, 25 January 2007 01:11 (seventeen years ago) link
anyway, it's funny but i could stand to wait a few more years to hear it again! hah.
― Michael J McGonigal (mike mcgonigal), Thursday, 25 January 2007 01:29 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 25 January 2007 01:37 (seventeen years ago) link
I had already finished Einarson's exhaustive Gene Clark book in the time since I pre-ordered this and I don't imagine it can compare to that. But hey, I loves me some Ric... so I will be devouring this over the next day or two. Will report back or whatev. but I thought some people might want to know that this one is out and this thread was just sitting here all serendipitously and shit so there ya go.
― Saxby D. Elder (Saxby D. Elder), Thursday, 25 January 2007 01:49 (seventeen years ago) link
― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 25 January 2007 02:33 (seventeen years ago) link
― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Thursday, 25 January 2007 02:38 (seventeen years ago) link
― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Thursday, 25 January 2007 02:41 (seventeen years ago) link
― Make a Beck Song #1 (M Matos), Thursday, 25 January 2007 02:58 (seventeen years ago) link
I'm getting a promo copy, so it should be out soon.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Thursday, 25 January 2007 03:07 (seventeen years ago) link
― Saxby D. Elder (Saxby D. Elder), Thursday, 25 January 2007 04:03 (seventeen years ago) link
"You gotta buy the Loveless 33 1/3, Jimmy. Do it for me....McGonigal!"
― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Thursday, 25 January 2007 04:07 (seventeen years ago) link
I know I stayed because I LOVED them -- hell, putting myself through YMMR all those times was a joy. However, in retrospect I must say, in my best old man voice: Damn. They were loud.
So, when's Geeta's ENO book coming?
― Jay Vee's Return (Manon_69), Thursday, 25 January 2007 06:25 (seventeen years ago) link
Precisely why I loved 'em. Among other things. As I mutter about in Marooned, the version of YMMV at The Final Show was 35 minutes long.
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 25 January 2007 06:35 (seventeen years ago) link
― shudder (shudder), Thursday, 25 January 2007 07:35 (seventeen years ago) link
― T. Weiss (Timmy), Thursday, 25 January 2007 08:05 (seventeen years ago) link
― Dave Segal (Da ve Segal), Thursday, 25 January 2007 08:13 (seventeen years ago) link
― wogan lenin (dog latin), Thursday, 25 January 2007 13:20 (seventeen years ago) link
― The Reverend Rodney J. Greene in a DIE BLIPSTER SCUM! tee (R. J. Greene), Tuesday, 30 January 2007 00:18 (seventeen years ago) link
I love the idea of referring to "You Made Me Realise" as YMMV.
― Douglas (Douglas), Tuesday, 30 January 2007 00:46 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 30 January 2007 00:47 (seventeen years ago) link
― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Tuesday, 30 January 2007 02:00 (seventeen years ago) link
― ersatz (ersatz), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 15:38 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tiki Theater Xymposium (Bent Over at the Arclight), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 16:21 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 16:22 (seventeen years ago) link
― rizzx (Rizz), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 16:32 (seventeen years ago) link
― curmudgeon (DC Steve), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 16:56 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tiki Theater Xymposium (Bent Over at the Arclight), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 17:19 (seventeen years ago) link
― Mordechai Shinefield (Mordy), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 17:23 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tiki Theater Xymposium (Bent Over at the Arclight), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 17:29 (seventeen years ago) link
I'm all for a Cuban Linx book.
― The Reverend Rodney J. Greene in a DIE BLIPSTER SCUM! tee (R. J. Greene), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 23:05 (seventeen years ago) link
― UART variations (ex machina), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 23:17 (seventeen years ago) link
― Kate Silver (Kate Silver), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 23:18 (seventeen years ago) link
Didn't they just do an insanely detailed feature in XXL last year?
― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 23:24 (seventeen years ago) link
― Whiney G. Weingarten (whineyg), Thursday, 1 February 2007 00:07 (seventeen years ago) link
― Whiney G. Weingarten (whineyg), Thursday, 1 February 2007 00:12 (seventeen years ago) link
― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 1 February 2007 00:18 (seventeen years ago) link
Me too. I remember the endless chord at the end of the MBV show. But what struck me most was the annoyingness of Gary Young.
― kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Thursday, 1 February 2007 00:43 (seventeen years ago) link
-- UART variations (jon@w
Ditto!
― etc (esskay), Thursday, 1 February 2007 00:52 (seventeen years ago) link
― etc (esskay), Thursday, 1 February 2007 00:53 (seventeen years ago) link
― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Thursday, 1 February 2007 02:43 (seventeen years ago) link
oh shoot! i cant get that here in holland, if somebody has it and wants to scan it? please!?
― Joris (rizzx), Thursday, 1 February 2007 09:46 (seventeen years ago) link
:(
― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 1 February 2007 10:21 (seventeen years ago) link
(We'll see. We have to crunch the numbers and determine if any of that rap or foreign stuff can sell the kind of numbers that Neutral Milk Hotel has. How the heck will we market it--what book review journals can we get them in--what brick and mortar and online sites will take that stuff)
― curmudgeon (DC Steve), Thursday, 1 February 2007 16:07 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 1 February 2007 16:08 (seventeen years ago) link
― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 1 February 2007 16:10 (seventeen years ago) link
― curmudgeon (DC Steve), Thursday, 1 February 2007 16:11 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 1 February 2007 16:14 (seventeen years ago) link
Yeah I understand the rationale and I'm glad the series exists and sells as well as it does. It's just a personal preference.
― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 1 February 2007 16:20 (seventeen years ago) link
The worst-selling Spin cover of all time? OutKast.
― Whiney G. Weingarten (whineyg), Thursday, 1 February 2007 16:25 (seventeen years ago) link
― curmudgeon (DC Steve), Thursday, 1 February 2007 16:26 (seventeen years ago) link
http://collectorama.murderhorn.com/pictures/promos/13small.jpg
― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 1 February 2007 16:27 (seventeen years ago) link
If you market it right, the buyers will come (to paraphrase Field of Dreams), I would like to believe. It might take a little more work though.
― curmudgeon (DC Steve), Thursday, 1 February 2007 16:31 (seventeen years ago) link
― curmudgeon (DC Steve), Thursday, 1 February 2007 16:45 (seventeen years ago) link
Well, the Stevie Wonder book is now out (and it is Black History month, maybe that will help in getting sales)
― curmudgeon (DC Steve), Thursday, 1 February 2007 21:21 (seventeen years ago) link
― curmudgeon (DC Steve), Friday, 2 February 2007 05:47 (seventeen years ago) link
― Welcome to the Pazz and Jop poll. (M Matos), Friday, 2 February 2007 09:01 (seventeen years ago) link
― curmudgeon (DC Steve), Friday, 2 February 2007 15:10 (seventeen years ago) link
― Whiney G. Weingarten (whineyg), Friday, 2 February 2007 15:47 (seventeen years ago) link
― Whiney G. Weingarten (whineyg), Friday, 2 February 2007 15:51 (seventeen years ago) link
― Whiney G. Weingarten (whineyg), Friday, 2 February 2007 15:55 (seventeen years ago) link
-- UART variations (jo...), Wednesday 3:17 PM. (ex machina)
you could pay someone $25 to translate that one issue Studio Voice that has the comprehensive Boredoms history. :-D
― Steve Shasta (Steve Shasta), Friday, 2 February 2007 15:57 (seventeen years ago) link
― UART variations (ex machina), Friday, 2 February 2007 16:24 (seventeen years ago) link
― douglas eklund (skolle), Sunday, 11 February 2007 02:29 (seventeen years ago) link
― Mordechai Shinefield (Mordy), Sunday, 11 February 2007 03:08 (seventeen years ago) link
― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Sunday, 11 February 2007 03:36 (seventeen years ago) link
― Haikunym (Haikunym), Sunday, 11 February 2007 03:39 (seventeen years ago) link
― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Sunday, 11 February 2007 03:51 (seventeen years ago) link
― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Sunday, 11 February 2007 03:52 (seventeen years ago) link
― Haikunym (Haikunym), Sunday, 11 February 2007 04:07 (seventeen years ago) link
― Mordechai Shinefield (Mordy), Sunday, 11 February 2007 04:08 (seventeen years ago) link
however he is cool with solo albums by diff't acts, e.g. John Lennon solo. I'd guess New Order would be fine despite Joy Division being covered.
― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Sunday, 11 February 2007 04:14 (seventeen years ago) link
― AKA Mr. Jaq (moriarty), Sunday, 11 February 2007 04:45 (seventeen years ago) link
: (
― The Reverend (R. J. Greene), Sunday, 11 February 2007 06:47 (seventeen years ago) link
― Eric H. (Eric H.), Sunday, 11 February 2007 07:01 (seventeen years ago) link
Or simply has listened to I Want You.
^^tautology
― m coleman (lovebug starski), Sunday, 11 February 2007 12:14 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 11 February 2007 14:19 (seventeen years ago) link
― Haikunym (Haikunym), Sunday, 11 February 2007 14:46 (seventeen years ago) link
― artdamages (artdamages), Sunday, 11 February 2007 14:55 (seventeen years ago) link
― artdamages (artdamages), Sunday, 11 February 2007 14:58 (seventeen years ago) link
― Haikunym (Haikunym), Sunday, 11 February 2007 15:09 (seventeen years ago) link
― artdamages (artdamages), Sunday, 11 February 2007 15:48 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 11 February 2007 15:53 (seventeen years ago) link
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't believe the hype. Just because only 3 of the 60 book topics 33 and 1/3 editor Barker selected for this series have been rap does not mean rap books won't sell.
― curmudgeon (DC Steve), Sunday, 11 February 2007 15:58 (seventeen years ago) link
i am off to download Madonna because my tape copy melted over the summer. should be a lark.
― artdamages (artdamages), Sunday, 11 February 2007 16:04 (seventeen years ago) link
― jaymc, Wednesday, 21 March 2007 21:04 (seventeen years ago) link
― unfished business, Wednesday, 21 March 2007 21:06 (seventeen years ago) link
― Mr. Que, Wednesday, 21 March 2007 21:09 (seventeen years ago) link
― fact checking cuz, Wednesday, 21 March 2007 21:10 (seventeen years ago) link
― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Wednesday, 21 March 2007 21:25 (seventeen years ago) link
― unfished business, Wednesday, 21 March 2007 21:27 (seventeen years ago) link
― The Reverend, Wednesday, 21 March 2007 21:46 (seventeen years ago) link
― Alex in SF, Wednesday, 21 March 2007 21:48 (seventeen years ago) link
― Alex in SF, Wednesday, 21 March 2007 21:49 (seventeen years ago) link
― scott seward, Wednesday, 21 March 2007 21:52 (seventeen years ago) link
― Joseph McCombs, Thursday, 22 March 2007 03:49 (seventeen years ago) link
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 22 March 2007 15:53 (seventeen years ago) link
― pisces, Thursday, 22 March 2007 16:00 (seventeen years ago) link
― Alex in SF, Thursday, 22 March 2007 16:05 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 22 March 2007 16:05 (seventeen years ago) link
― Alex in SF, Thursday, 22 March 2007 16:06 (seventeen years ago) link
― No Scintillating Prose in Outer Space, Friday, 23 March 2007 20:14 (seventeen years ago) link
― MC, Friday, 23 March 2007 20:27 (seventeen years ago) link
― jaymc, Friday, 23 March 2007 20:30 (seventeen years ago) link
― Dimension 5ive, Friday, 23 March 2007 20:31 (seventeen years ago) link
― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Friday, 23 March 2007 20:42 (seventeen years ago) link
― MC, Friday, 23 March 2007 20:45 (seventeen years ago) link
― Alex in SF, Friday, 23 March 2007 20:46 (seventeen years ago) link
― MC, Friday, 23 March 2007 20:46 (seventeen years ago) link
― Alex in SF, Friday, 23 March 2007 20:53 (seventeen years ago) link
― fukasaku tollbooth, Friday, 23 March 2007 21:35 (seventeen years ago) link
― Z S, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 03:57 (seventeen years ago) link
The Daydream Nation book was really disappointing. I mean, I love Daydream Nation and all, and it's a NEAR-perfect album, but this book starts with the premise that it is THE perfect album and then rewrites history around it.
― Bill in Chicago, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 05:02 (seventeen years ago) link
― Z S, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 06:41 (seventeen years ago) link
― chris.steffen, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 06:45 (seventeen years ago) link
― baaderonixx, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 08:29 (seventeen years ago) link
― stevie, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 09:32 (seventeen years ago) link
― pisces, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 10:52 (seventeen years ago) link
― Marcello Carlin, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 10:54 (seventeen years ago) link
― the next grozart, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 11:01 (seventeen years ago) link
― Groke, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 11:04 (seventeen years ago) link
― pisces, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 11:14 (seventeen years ago) link
What else would you want, in this series?
― Bill in Chicago, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 12:50 (seventeen years ago) link
― Reatards Unite, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 13:19 (seventeen years ago) link
― BlackIronPrison, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 13:26 (seventeen years ago) link
― Reatards Unite, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 13:27 (seventeen years ago) link
― stevie, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 13:48 (seventeen years ago) link
― Pleasant Plains, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 16:46 (seventeen years ago) link
― Mr. Que, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 16:48 (seventeen years ago) link
― stevie, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 16:49 (seventeen years ago) link
― pisces, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 16:54 (seventeen years ago) link
― Trip Maker, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 17:02 (seventeen years ago) link
― Matos W.K., Wednesday, 2 May 2007 17:20 (seventeen years ago) link
― Groke, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 17:23 (seventeen years ago) link
― Nik, Sunday, 6 May 2007 21:18 (seventeen years ago) link
― dabug, Sunday, 6 May 2007 22:55 (seventeen years ago) link
― dabug, Sunday, 6 May 2007 22:56 (seventeen years ago) link
― Dimension 5ive, Sunday, 6 May 2007 23:19 (seventeen years ago) link
― Reatards Unite, Sunday, 6 May 2007 23:46 (seventeen years ago) link
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Sunday, 6 May 2007 23:53 (seventeen years ago) link
― Fitzcarraldo, Sunday, 6 May 2007 23:56 (seventeen years ago) link
― iago g., Monday, 7 May 2007 00:30 (seventeen years ago) link
― Dandy Don Weiner, Monday, 7 May 2007 00:33 (seventeen years ago) link
― Nik, Monday, 7 May 2007 03:58 (seventeen years ago) link
― Nik, Monday, 7 May 2007 03:59 (seventeen years ago) link
I just finished the GNR book and I'm sorry, I gotta call bullshit. The chapters where Weisbard chronicles his own ascent to Critic Valhalla are boring, and the track-by-track is pretty much just him going "haha I never should have written this book because these records mostly suck." I hear he is a top guy -- and he comes around here sometimes too, so probably just shooting myself in the foot here if I ever thought about presenting at the conference or whatever -- but he had an opportunity to do something cool and I think he mailed it in.
Is this bitterness because the fat dead Hawaiian ukulele dude book was greenlighted but my Cheap Trick proposal never had a chance? OF COURSE. But all the stuff about "oh here's what Jon Pareles said" and "I worked for Bob Guccione Jr. and he was nice to me so Axl is a dickbag"...I ain't buyin' it.
― Dimension 5ive, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 15:05 (sixteen years ago) link
That's a shame to hear, because I could totally see a great book being written about the Use Your Illusions (obviously, since I started this thread, and should probably re-do it as a poll).
I came the conclusion a while back that the best possible 33 1/3 book I could write would probably be about Pearl Jam's Vitalogy, although I don't think I could ever bring myself to pitch it and possibly go through with re-living my grunge adolescence like that and be the guy who wrote a book about Pearl Jam. But it would be awesome.
― Alex in Baltimore, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 15:41 (sixteen years ago) link
SOMEONE among our generation needs to do this
― strongohulkington, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 15:50 (sixteen years ago) link
the grunge book will be a big success when it finally drops
never forget
― Jordan, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 15:51 (sixteen years ago) link
Seriously. I just hope that when someone does do a Pearl Jam book, it's about one of crazy pretentious albums like Vitalogy or No Code and not boring old Ten, my whole theory being that a band's weirdest or most indulgent album would make a way better book than their biggest or best. (xpost)
― Alex in Baltimore, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 15:53 (sixteen years ago) link
Did Geeta's Eno book come out?
― Alex in SF, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 15:54 (sixteen years ago) link
I'm pretty sure Perpetua pitched Vitalogy this go-round.
― jaymc, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 16:27 (sixteen years ago) link
(And suffice it to say didn't get in.)
― jaymc, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 16:28 (sixteen years ago) link
so, anybody read aja?
― original bgm, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 16:33 (sixteen years ago) link
I think next time I'll pitch The Weirdness.
― da croupier, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 16:34 (sixteen years ago) link
oh wait, they already did a stooges book. fuck!
― da croupier, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 16:35 (sixteen years ago) link
I thought about pitching August and Everything After.
― fukasaku tollbooth, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 16:36 (sixteen years ago) link
jess you should pitch flipper.
― da croupier, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 16:36 (sixteen years ago) link
DEAD MILKMEN BIG LIZARD IN MY BACKYARD WOULD SELL 15 COPIES GUARANTEED
― Dimension 5ive, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 16:41 (sixteen years ago) link
I liked the Aja book. It delves very heavily into music theory which I thought was very interesting (how the fuck did they make those crazy chord progressions?) but not enough to turn people off.
My favorite so far is the Low book. Best written also. Stories of Bowie surviving solely on milk, coke and cigarettes == priceless.
― Bill in Chicago, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 16:42 (sixteen years ago) link
haha Perpetua, dammit! actually I'm generally cool with him when he's writing about cheesy 90's alt-rock, so I'd probably read that. same reason I'd probably read a Counting Crows book. in theory, at least, the only 33 1/3 I've actually read so far was SOTT, but I might have to get that Aja one.
― Alex in Baltimore, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 16:48 (sixteen years ago) link
im kind of addicted to these things but i'm reaching the diminishing returns point now that i've moved outside of the writers i know already enjoy
― strongohulkington, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 17:01 (sixteen years ago) link
ooh when did the AJA book come out? is it available in UK?
― pisces, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 17:07 (sixteen years ago) link
wow, I really don't think I can finish the Daydream Nation book.
― Dandy Don Weiner, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 19:27 (sixteen years ago) link
The guy who is writing the Master of Reality book posts here, and I am really looking forward to that. If he's reading this, could you provide the ETA?
Thanks.
― Bill Magill, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 20:04 (sixteen years ago) link
It gets a little better after the over-the-top gonzo tongue bath he gives the band/album in the first 30 pages or so, but even then, the most interesting parts come from the interviews he does with Steve and Lee, rather than from his tenuously drawn lyrical exegeses.
― jaymc, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 20:16 (sixteen years ago) link
I just read Eric's book finally, and I've gotta say he did it about the only way that could interest me at this point. There's been nine million words written about GNR, and few writers are gonna have anything to offer now except rehash. (And honestly, I feel the same way about the Replacements, a band I was a lot deeper into in their moment.) Eric did a great job of bringing new thinking along with the necessary history; also, any ambivalence he has about the music is fully justified. The Illusions were messy, overgrown and sometimes unlistenable from Day One, and those qualities seem amplified a million times given subsequent events.
― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 20:47 (sixteen years ago) link
NB: I haven't read Meloy's book yet, so that above comment is no bust on him.
― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 20:49 (sixteen years ago) link
Also hahaha "events."
― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 20:50 (sixteen years ago) link
Help me then with the "new thinking" part then, please, because I didn't get any of that. Just that the records aren't Appetite for Destruction? I think we all knew that. Is it that he is a well-known music writer? I personally knew that too.
― Dimension 5ive, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 21:00 (sixteen years ago) link
I don't know, really! I don't like to talk about work-in-progress, kinda weirdly superstitious about that
― J0hn D., Wednesday, 27 June 2007 21:03 (sixteen years ago) link
I just picked up the Notorious Byrd Bros one and am about a third of the way through. To be honest the writing seems average at best -- and his personal bio bits weren't as engaging as Matos's -- but I am unfamiliar enough with certain parts of the Byrds backstory that it is holding interest. I'm still very much looking forward to the discussion of the record in the next section; i'll withhold judgement til I finish.
shame about the Use Yr Illusions -- I was interested in checking that one as well, although I'm no fan of his writing. I liked that he chose to explore those two albs over Appetite. but if he is less than enthusiastic about them then fuck it.
― Stormy Davis, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 21:06 (sixteen years ago) link
"I don't like to talk about work-in-progress, kinda weirdly superstitious about that"
Cool, totally understood.
― Bill Magill, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 21:10 (sixteen years ago) link
As I posted a few months ago, Eric's book was the most sheerly entertaining of the lot. I'm not a fan of the track-by-track analysis, but how else could you have analyzed those "messy, overgrown and sometimes unlistenable" albums?
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 21:12 (sixteen years ago) link
Maybe by doing more than just saying "Oh this one sucks, I NEVER would have included it on my personal mixtape of the best songs from these albums"? Maybe? Or by making the album the focus of the book? A little bit?
Wow, maybe my reading comp skills are just bad, or maybe I'm a big jerk, but I failed to be entertained or enlightened by anything in that book. I guess we are now seeing why my music writing "career" has been euthanized.
― Dimension 5ive, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 21:17 (sixteen years ago) link
Haha "maybe"
― Dimension 5ive, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 21:18 (sixteen years ago) link
How was the album NOT the focus? I don't get it. As for the mixtape, he tells you why the songs suck! "Don't Cry" -- More paddlin' Stradlin. That pounding on a cowbell to start a song cliche of theirs makes it sfirst apperance. Piano couplets in just the right Stonesy spot. Exile in GN'Rville? That blurb, incidentally, attacks lots of the orthodoxy I remember from the time: Stradlin being the "good" Rose because he was the Stonesiest.
(It's all good if you didn't like it, btw)
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 21:26 (sixteen years ago) link
One right here please...
― MC, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 22:02 (sixteen years ago) link
The lyrical stuff in the Daydream Nation one is, yeah, pretty problematic -- the worst boner is when he picks up that one verse of a Kim song is "inspired" by Harry Crews, while missing that the other verse is lifted directly from Denis Johnson.
The sadder part is how Lee and especially Steve are being really helpful with their interviews, where Thurston and Kim seem to basically be fucking with the guy over email.
― nabisco, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 22:05 (sixteen years ago) link
Alf: I returned it to the library, so I can't quote all the early sections that are more about music writing/criticism and its Crucial Importance than about these records. More time is given to "The Spaghetti Incident?" and "Appetite for Destruction" than to either one of these records, which indicates to me that he thought about the pitch more than about the book.
The fact that these blurbs -- and let's face it that's all they are -- are confined to the ass-end of the book told me all I needed to know about how important the actual music is to him, as opposed to positioning records (and himself) in the perceived Canon. I think the book reads like he choked and then decided he didn't want to give back the advance. Witness his statements in that section like "I really shouldn't be writing about these albums."
For what it's worth, I actually agreed with his main premise. I just don't think he backs it up with any evidence, and that he ignores counter-arguments, and that ultimately it isn't a very relevant argument after all.
God what a whiny bitch I have become.
― Dimension 5ive, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 22:10 (sixteen years ago) link
Going back to some of the older books that I've read:
Radiohead: No one ever says anything nice about this one, but I found it a good read, but then I'm a musicology fanboy who knows nothing about musicology. Unfortunately, his entire premise--that OK Computer is the first true CD album--doesn't hold up at all once you start to think about other records that came out before (Afghan Whigs' Gentlemen for one).
MC5: Very good. Not a making of, but a historical analysis of the record's place in time.
Pixies: Good retrospective with participation of the artists (save Kim). Good and readable track by track analysis.
Smiths: The only fiction I've read in years.
James Brown: Awesome.
Others on my shelf I haven't read yet (any suggestions on which to start with???): Joy Division Velvet Underground Ramones
― MC, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 22:17 (sixteen years ago) link
the only ones i really want to read are erik davis's zep book and matos's prince book (i would have read this already but i don't buy books on-line and they don't sell them where i live) and john's sab book when it comes out. i think.
― scott seward, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 22:27 (sixteen years ago) link
"i think", meaning there may be some i forgot.
is geeta's book still on? there's no mention on the continuum page.
― fukasaku tollbooth, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 22:36 (sixteen years ago) link
where Thurston and Kim seem to basically be fucking with the guy over email.
Hmmm, I'll have to go back and check, but I don't actually remember any input from them at all.
― jaymc, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 22:44 (sixteen years ago) link
my fave so far was the abba one.
predicatbly, i'd love to see one of "giant steps" by the boo radleys, but that would never see the light of day.
― the next grozart, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 23:44 (sixteen years ago) link
Please let whoever pitches Madonna be an Erotica fan.
― Eric H., Thursday, 28 June 2007 00:07 (sixteen years ago) link
the Erik Davis Zep book is fucking amazing.
― Matos W.K., Thursday, 28 June 2007 00:30 (sixteen years ago) link
Tim Finney on that would be pretty stellar...
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 28 June 2007 00:44 (sixteen years ago) link
So is there an S/D thread for these someplace?
― fukasaku tollbooth, Thursday, 28 June 2007 00:45 (sixteen years ago) link
Surely this is it!
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 28 June 2007 00:53 (sixteen years ago) link
-- fukasaku tollbooth, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 16:36 (Yesterday) Link
On that other 33 1/3 thread, I mentioned this...I have a really strange relationship with CC (several years ago I thought they were the best band ever)...Though I would rather write about This Desert Life.
― Tape Store, Thursday, 28 June 2007 02:09 (sixteen years ago) link
Speaking of...What album would you propose to write about for the 33 1/3 book series?
― Tape Store, Thursday, 28 June 2007 02:17 (sixteen years ago) link
Whiney G's gonna write about It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (sorry if that was already posted)
― dow, Thursday, 28 June 2007 05:17 (sixteen years ago) link
latest sales rankings for the series
1. Neutral Milk Hotel 2. The Kinks 3. The Smiths 4. The Rolling Stones 5. The Velvet Underground 6. Pink Floyd 7. Joy Division 8. Radiohead 9. The Beatles 10. Love 11. The Beach Boys 12. DJ Shadow 13. Led Zeppelin 14. Neil Young 15. Beastie Boys 16. David Bowie 17. Dusty Springfield 18. Jimi Hendrix 19. The Replacements 20. Bob Dylan 21. Jeff Buckley 22. The Pixies 23. My Bloody Valentine 24. The Band 25. Prince 26. The Ramones 27. R.E.M. 28. Bruce Springsteen 29. The Byrds 30. James Brown 31. Elvis Costello 32. The Who 33. Jethro Tull 34. Abba 35. Sly and the Family Stone 36. Nirvana 37. Sonic Youth 38. Guided by Voices 39. Stone Roses 40. The MC5 41. Captain Beefheart 42. Stevie Wonder 43. The Minutemen 44. Magnetic Fields 45. Steely Dan 46. Guns N Roses 47. PJ Harvey 48. Joni Mitchell 49. A Tribe Called Quest
― gershy, Thursday, 19 July 2007 07:46 (sixteen years ago) link
Here's an excerpt from Carl Wilson's book on Celine Dion's Let's Talk About Love. The subtitle is "A Journey to the End of Taste."
I am so fucking jazzed about this one.
― jaymc, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 17:42 (sixteen years ago) link
no kraftwerk one, not even planned. they should sort that out and do computer world and man machine.
― max r, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 18:00 (sixteen years ago) link
11100100 11100101 11100100 10011001 01100001 00010000 01110111 11101111 00110111 10011011 00010111 11110100 10101111 01000110 11010101 00000111 10101000 01111011 10111101 00101111 10100011 11011001 00110001 11011000 00000110 10111010 01000111 01000111 00110100 10001010 10101111 11101101 10010011 11001011 01111111 11010100 01101000 11011100 10010111 11001010 00011110 11100101 01010110 10011111 00000111 01101001 01000110 00010110 11000000 11010010 01100110 01010111 11101101 01111100 10101000 00111111 11111000 11101110 11110110 11100001 01101001 11101011 01111111 01101111 01111000 00001001 00000000 11111000 11111110 10001001 01101101 00010001 11101010 01111001 11111010 11100101 00100011 00110011 11000000 11111001 11010100 00000011 11000000 10111110 10101001 10100101 10000100 11000000 01010000 10000000 10011010 10010010 11010110 11111110 00100100 11011101 11110000 00101011 00010100 11110000 10111010 11001100 11100010 00000100 11111100 00100101 01101000 11010000 11000111 01111111 11101011 01101011 10001111 01001011 10010101 10001110 01111110 01111110 10000100 00011101 00110011 01000110 10001100 01110111 00010111 10000100 10001101 10110100 01000100 10111001 11011100 10001110 10101010 01111010 01011010 11111011 10111011 10110101 10000100 01101001 10101001 00110111 01101111 10010111 00001010 11110111 01101110 10000000 11110100 11100111 10001100 10001100 00100001 11110101 11111011 00010100 01110100 00010000 00101010 01110011 10001110 10100100 11110011 00010011 10110011 00001001 01111100 00010000 00101000 10100001 10100110 10010101 01000101 10100001 01010011 01010101 10101000 10010001 11001010 01000100 10111111 00000110 00101110 10001000 11100011 00000011 10101100 10010100 01101001 10110010 01111111 10100011 10010001 01000000 01000111 00101110 00110101 01011100 10100101 01110010 10101001 01011110 10110101 11011111 11001110 10000110 10011110 01101110 00001101 00001010 10100101 10010111 10011001 10010001 11101110 00001011 00011011 11110011 11110101 11000001 01111010 11111111 01011010 11000100 10011010 01110110 11101001 10000011 00010100 01110000 01011110 11100110 10110001 00101100 00111100 11001000 10111111 11100100 00000001 00000100 01111011 01011110 11010001 10001111 10000100 01011101 01000001 10110010 00111010 01010011 10000001 00101010 00000110 01101001 01011000 01100111 01010001 11000100 00000011 01101011 01001101 00111001 00111101 11100101 10010010 11001010 11110111 11010110 10110010 00100100 00101011 01111100 01111011 10011100 01011000 11110000 00111101 10111000 11011010 01100000 11010111 01011011 11001110 10001110 01100001 10110100 11011001 01101001 00100110 00101100 10111110 10000101 00000101 11010000 11000010 10000010 10000011 10111001 01100111 10000000 11001101 00001101 10101100 01001000 01111111 01000100 00110001 11110011 00110001 11001101 10001011 00010011 01100111 10100000 10110010 10010111 10111101 01111001 00100111 11010010 11110111 01010010 11000111 10101111 00100000 11000110 11000101 11000000 10111100 01111001 11000001 11101011 00110100 10001100 10110000 10010011 00110000 10001111 11111101 11000111 01010000 10100100 01010110 00100011 10011010 11110111 00000100 01100110 01000010 01101001 01110101 01000111 00001111 01000011 01010101 00001100 01011100 00100010 01000110 11001010 11000100 11100101 11010100 11111000 10101110 00010000 11010111 10001010 11101111 00110011 10010110 11000110 01110101 00011110 01001000 11011001 10000010 10010111 11010101 11010100 11111010 10001000 11000000 00011101 10100000 11100101 00010111 01001101 01111011 00001110 11001011 10100111 11010000 01111100 00100111 11010010 01100010 11110111 01101110 11111001
― Pleasant Plains, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 18:12 (sixteen years ago) link
There. Just wrote it for ya.
Wow, I didn't even know about that Celine Dion/Larry King interview.
― Jordan, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 18:19 (sixteen years ago) link
I can't believe how much I want to read a book about Celine Dion now.
― Alex in SF, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 18:24 (sixteen years ago) link
i'm more interested in pleasant plains' kraftwerk entry
― omar little, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 18:34 (sixteen years ago) link
i'm not too keen when people are all "lol, robots" in regard to kraftwerk.
― max r, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 18:40 (sixteen years ago) link
― jaymc, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 18:50 (sixteen years ago) link
http://blog.apocalypse.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/picture-4-4-tm.jpg
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 19:23 (sixteen years ago) link
No one was more "lol, robots" than Kraftwerk themselves. That was kind of the point of their records.
― Sara Sara Sara, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 19:39 (sixteen years ago) link
^^ first line of the kraftwerk book?
― s1ocki, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 20:41 (sixteen years ago) link
no, it was in the olden days, before everything was a joke.
― max r, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 20:49 (sixteen years ago) link
I heard Carl Wilson give a talk at the EMP that overlapped with some of his Celine Dion book; it was very funny but also very, very sharp and seemed to model a best case scenario for a music criticism that doesn't just narrowly advocate for aprivate pleasure but makes you think about broader aesthetic questions in a juicy, immediate way. I'm so stoked to read his book.
― Drew Daniel, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 21:27 (sixteen years ago) link
^^^OTM.
― jaymc, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 21:37 (sixteen years ago) link
im stoked for it too as it's about, you know, quebec and stuff and cultural things i think about a lot.
― s1ocki, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 21:42 (sixteen years ago) link
I wasn't excited at all for Wilson's book and I'm still skeptical of it. But reading that clip reminds me that his writing might actually be able to transcend the patronizing approach to the album.
― Dandy Don Weiner, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 21:56 (sixteen years ago) link
A little bird from Continuum has told me that if you mail this address:
letstalkaboutcel✧✧✧@ya✧✧✧.c✧✧ ...you'll be able to receive a PDF of the first two chapters of said Celine book, gratis.
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 4 October 2007 15:53 (sixteen years ago) link
(You can guess what the last three letters are in the main part of the address. And yes, it's yahoo.com)
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 4 October 2007 15:54 (sixteen years ago) link
transcend the patronizing approach to the album.
What makes you think the approach to the album is patronizing?
― jaymc, Thursday, 4 October 2007 15:57 (sixteen years ago) link
Isn't the whole premise of the book, writing about an artist/album he hates instead of one he likes and has listened to many times, and "teach himself to love her music," kind of inherently patronizing? It might yield some interesting results as a writing exercise, but c'mon, it's not exactly a stretch to call it patronizing.
― Alex in Baltimore, Thursday, 4 October 2007 16:03 (sixteen years ago) link
I still don't see that. Maybe I don't understand the premise, but from reading Carl's blog, I was under the impression that the book was about trying to understand what people see in Celine Dion and to use her as a site of contestation about the nature of taste and aesthetic judgments. I find it to be a remarkably open-minded approach, to go in with the attitude of "maybe I'm wrong about this woman who's loved by millions of people."
― jaymc, Thursday, 4 October 2007 16:08 (sixteen years ago) link
Yeah, I don't really know the writer's work much and obviously haven't seen more than the excerpt linked above. I'm just saying, the advance descriptions of the book made his mission sound a little patronizing. I definitely think there's something noble in writing thoughtfully about popular music that critics don't often give a fair shake, but also I feel like there should be at least a shred of unironic affection for it there to begin with. And I somehow doubt that Wilson continued to listen to Celine's music much after he finished the transcript, or that any of the non-Celine fans who read the book will suddenly start buying and enjoying her albums because of it.
― Alex in Baltimore, Thursday, 4 October 2007 16:13 (sixteen years ago) link
Carl Wilson is a big thinker, so I'd be inclined to read whatever he had to say about Celine Dion without pre-judging it on the basis of descriptions or hatred of the artist or whatever. I don't always agree with Carl's opinions but he's always worth reading.
― Dimension 5ive, Thursday, 4 October 2007 16:15 (sixteen years ago) link
Yes. I just read those first two chapters, courtesy of Ned's secret e-mail address, and he's just so sharp and his writing so lively, I'm really looking forward to reading more.
― jaymc, Thursday, 4 October 2007 16:28 (sixteen years ago) link
Alex in Baltimore OTM.
I don't really see Carl Wilson going for big thinking here, or even being particularly open minded. At best I give him credit for honest, intellectual curiosity but at worst it seems a bit cynical. I mean, is it really that hard to understand the appeal of Celine Dion or is the real point of the book going to be savaging the taste of the masses? I'm just a little suspicious, just as I would be a top-tier food critic reviewing McDonald's. The approach may not be patronizing, but it's definitely a little condescending.
But again, what I've read of the book has impressed me thus far and Wilson's a great writer.
― Dandy Don Weiner, Thursday, 4 October 2007 18:09 (sixteen years ago) link
Yeah I'd be a lot more inclined to be suspicious if that little excerpt didn't read so well.
― Alex in SF, Thursday, 4 October 2007 18:29 (sixteen years ago) link
As a Canadian writer, Wilson is in a good position to compare and contrast Quebecoise Celine Dion and R&B singers, both the choices in music and production that they make and how critics see them (and, similarly, what can be seen as the "tackiness" of the surface of African-American and Quebecois pop music).
― Eazy, Thursday, 4 October 2007 18:37 (sixteen years ago) link
I mean, is it really that hard to understand the appeal of Celine Dion or is the real point of the book going to be savaging the taste of the masses?
I don't get this from the excerpt at all! Is attempting to understand something foreign inherently condescending?
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Thursday, 4 October 2007 18:47 (sixteen years ago) link
Sounds like an interesting and novel approach to me.
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Thursday, 4 October 2007 18:52 (sixteen years ago) link
Is attempting to understand something foreign inherently condescending?
DON'T YOU KNOW THAT EVERY ATTEMPT TO DO THIS IS AUTOMATICALLY AN EXERCISE IN OBJECTIFYING AND EXOTICIZING STUFF??????
(cough)
― Matos W.K., Thursday, 4 October 2007 19:51 (sixteen years ago) link
Maybe.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Thursday, 4 October 2007 19:53 (sixteen years ago) link
I mean, I'd rather read Carl Wilson grappling with aesthetics than read some of the slobberfests that pass as entries in this series, even when they're about albums I love.
― jaymc, Thursday, 4 October 2007 19:57 (sixteen years ago) link
I don't get that from the excerpt either Alfred. I'm referring to the concept in general. And in that regard, this series of books pretty much deals exclusively with albums that are or were critically adored. They're cool, they have a degree of hipness or seem to be part of some sort of accepted canon. This album was picked because it is in many ways, the antithesis of all that. And that context is critical for reminding us of the disconnect between critics and the masses; does Wilson wonder what he's missing as a critic or is his critical assessment ultimately right and therefore, the people who blow money on Celine are stupid? I don't trust (or am not interested in) too many people to write about that subject without sounding like a prick.
As for the question of that disconnect, it's something that's been asked since, like, forever. But clearly Wilson's one of the writers who can probably glean some good insight and hopefully this book is going to be a great one. jaymc OTM.
― Dandy Don Weiner, Thursday, 4 October 2007 19:58 (sixteen years ago) link
yeah y'all are following some wonky-ass map where "not initially understanding something's appeal" automatically leads "to appreciating it in some ironic/patronizing way."
― strongohulkington, Thursday, 4 October 2007 19:58 (sixteen years ago) link
Mr. Weiner already said it, but again, the "patronizing" thing was based more on the overall concept than the writer/excerpt. Obviously, Wilson has found a way to approach Celine in a thoughtful and personally resonant way. But if I was at 33 1/3 and got a pitch for someone sayins "I want to write a book about Creed [or some other obvious popular but widely reviled artist] because I hate them," it'd probably have to be a pretty great pitch for me to say yes. But then, like jaymc says, it's still automatically more interesting than another sloppy blow job for an album that everyone who might possibly like it already owns and thinks is great.
― Alex in Baltimore, Thursday, 4 October 2007 20:04 (sixteen years ago) link
And I somehow doubt that Wilson continued to listen to Celine's music much after he finished the transcript, or that any of the non-Celine fans who read the book will suddenly start buying and enjoying her albums because of it.
-- Alex in Baltimore, Thursday, October 4, 2007 4:13 PM (3 hours ago) Bookmark Link
so unless he's helping move albums it's a condescending project? wtf??
― s1ocki, Thursday, 4 October 2007 20:23 (sixteen years ago) link
sorry massive xpost.
and i know i was deliberating misconstruing you a bit here.
― s1ocki, Thursday, 4 October 2007 20:26 (sixteen years ago) link
i mean, deliberately.
you don't say.
― Alex in Baltimore, Thursday, 4 October 2007 20:27 (sixteen years ago) link
Just as FYI to everyone Powells in PDX is running a buy-two-get-one-free sale on the series. (I picked up a lot of them)
― Elvis Telecom, Monday, 29 October 2007 01:57 (sixteen years ago) link
I've stopped buying these altogether, the bad ones are too depressing to wade through to get to the one or two good ones...
― iago g., Monday, 29 October 2007 03:14 (sixteen years ago) link
I'm about to read the MBV one. Pixies, GBV, Smiths, Magnetic Fields and Neutral Milk Hotel ones were all good.
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Monday, 29 October 2007 03:24 (sixteen years ago) link
I was very disappointed by the Radiohead and Tribe books, and I was 50/50 on the Magnetic Fields one. But I'm psyched for the three that are allegedly coming out in December - Celine, Tom Waits, and Throbbing Gristle.
― Emily S., Monday, 29 October 2007 11:36 (sixteen years ago) link
I haven't seen anything about the Another Green World book. Is that still in the works?
― fukasaku tollbooth, Monday, 29 October 2007 14:12 (sixteen years ago) link
This series will only get really good (as it is starting to) once all the obvious ones have been covered.
― filthy dylan, Tuesday, 30 October 2007 16:39 (sixteen years ago) link
Jeez, Geeta's Eno book is still almost a year away according to this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brian-Enos-Another-Green-World/dp/0826427863/ref=sr_1_1/202-6023791-6219064?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193762572&sr=1-1
Can't wait to read it--her chapter in Marooned is one of my very favorites.
― JN$OT, Tuesday, 30 October 2007 16:46 (sixteen years ago) link
She hasn't been blogging much lately. I think she's busy teaching (and maybe working on the book).
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 30 October 2007 17:13 (sixteen years ago) link
From my book-waiting experiences, Amazon.co.uk's pub dates are even more unreliable than the US site's, so who knows?
― Emily S., Tuesday, 30 October 2007 19:00 (sixteen years ago) link
Hmm, December 15, 2007 according to the US site. That seems fa more reasonable.
― JN$OT, Tuesday, 30 October 2007 19:15 (sixteen years ago) link
like the prince SOTT one. just read the sly - riot one, which wasnt as good. too theoretically/analytically spotty, and prone to a bit too much 'this is my life experience so its the TRUTH' zeal. he seems to be more of a hip hop expert than a soul/funk one, going on what ive read of his before.
― titchyschneiderMk2, Thursday, 8 November 2007 23:45 (sixteen years ago) link
anybody read the big pink novella? in principle i'm not against such a thing, but i found it frustrating
― Billy Pilgrim, Thursday, 8 November 2007 23:55 (sixteen years ago) link
I quite enjoyed the Big Pink novella, Billy. Found some of the dialog a bit too obviously "sixties" - the book must have over 200 uses of the word "man" at the end of a phrase or sentence - but I must admit being strangely moved by the end of it, and thought the Richard Manuel character was beautifully drawn.
― Emily S., Friday, 9 November 2007 01:35 (sixteen years ago) link
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/417KlX6VBEL._SS500_.jpg
― Whiney G. Weingarten, Saturday, 10 November 2007 21:20 (sixteen years ago) link
Ha ha!! I never knew he was Nancy's brother.
― Emily S., Saturday, 10 November 2007 21:40 (sixteen years ago) link
Does the AJA author write on here? What's it like anyway?
― pisces, Monday, 12 November 2007 14:29 (sixteen years ago) link
According to the 33 1/3 blog, the Neutral Milk Hotel one is the all-time bestseller. Weird!
The one on Doolittle is terrific -- I learned a lot about a record I thought I already knew a lot about. (e.g. that Ed Stasium was the second choice to produce...) The one on Mu4mu4 is terrible.
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Monday, 12 November 2007 16:01 (sixteen years ago) link
On its own terms I just about agree with you. It was clear throughout that the author is a musician and a good stylist and equally clear in spots that he didn't live in the sixties and isn't even from the area, but that was fine. Richard Manuel was a great character.
Actually the reason I found it frustrating was pretty specific to my situation. I brought a copy with me up to Woodstock a couple of years ago, and I was hoping to use it as a guide to the whens and wheres of the recording of the album, and the book was very little help with those kinds of specifics.
― Billy Pilgrim, Monday, 12 November 2007 16:12 (sixteen years ago) link
*a couple of weeks ago*
― Billy Pilgrim, Monday, 12 November 2007 16:15 (sixteen years ago) link
So is that "Daniel Drew" thing getting fixed?
― jaymc, Monday, 12 November 2007 16:16 (sixteen years ago) link
So I read the Celine Dion book and uh I didn't really like it that much which is too bad because the stuff on the Larry King interview and Celine's mostly on again but sometimes off again appeal for the people of Quebec I found pretty interesting. Sadly, the rest of the book is mostly regurgitated and at this point pretty obvious stuff on the formulation of "taste" with very little insight of note from Wilson himself, a lot of pretty facile biographical stuff on Dion and her global ubiquity and some bits on Dion fans which don't really provide much insight (except proving that unsurprisingly there are some people who like her who are not complete dullards.) There's very little on Let's Talk About Love itself (not that I'm really complaining about this--it's not like I really bought the book to read about the album) which seems to have picked mostly because it a) has the damn Titanic theme on it and b) it allows Wilson to start everything chapter with "Let's Talk About. . ."
― Alex in SF, Saturday, 29 December 2007 23:17 (sixteen years ago) link
the book is fucking awesome. beautiful and insightful and funny and personal. best nonfic i've read in a long, long time. what was "facile" about the biographical stuff? i didn't find it super-interesting but i'm the guy who for similar reasons has no interest in 80% of the 33 1/3 series anyway.
― sean gramophone, Sunday, 30 December 2007 00:57 (sixteen years ago) link
99% of the bio info could have been gleaned from perusing her wikipedia bio.
― Alex in SF, Sunday, 30 December 2007 01:13 (sixteen years ago) link
well, ok, but there's also the matter of style, which is the main reason I read - if you're reading just to absorb the bio info, then I guess yeah, the wiki's yr spot. The book is beautifully written in my opinion and the bio stuff also ends up working toward the book's thesis - the nature of Dion's music and persona, its identity.
I personally dug this book although as with the GnR one I usually want to hear about the music from somebody who's geeked about it - I like Celine, don't find her unlistenable or sterile or any of that, so I wished he could have gotten inside the songs more, heard where her voice isn't just a technical wonder but an expressive one. But his attempts to get there were worth readin I thought.
― J0hn D., Sunday, 30 December 2007 01:23 (sixteen years ago) link
after checking amazon, it looks like the drew daniel typo was fixed. xpost.
also: one 33 1/3 author said elsewhere that there seems to be more people who want to write these books than read them. i think that's probably the biggest issue facing this series, unless a title like the weezer book can reverse that trend, real or perceived.
― fukasaku tollbooth, Sunday, 30 December 2007 01:25 (sixteen years ago) link
Yeah, I've been lazy about getting it, but I can't wait.
John, you didn't think Eric "geeked" about GNR? Writing blurbs on every track looks like geeking to me.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Sunday, 30 December 2007 01:25 (sixteen years ago) link
Has anyone read Geeta's book? It's the one I'm most excited about in the new batch. [This thread is such a precarious collegial minefield.]
― fukasaku tollbooth, Sunday, 30 December 2007 01:32 (sixteen years ago) link
no I said "who is geeked" i.e. loves the artist in question. I like the way Eric writes, rather a lot, but I got the impression he never really cared for Guns 'n' Roses - I enjoyed reading his book, but at the end of the day would rather hear about why the band is awesome. NB I am actually ambivalent about GnR a lot of the time & agree with many of Eric's points, but when I'm reading in depth about an album, my attention is pretty much only held by great enthusiasm.
― J0hn D., Sunday, 30 December 2007 01:38 (sixteen years ago) link
we can argue about how formalism can convey enthusiasm...but fair enough.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Sunday, 30 December 2007 01:40 (sixteen years ago) link
Geeta's book isn't out, I don't think.
I guess I'm going to be in the minority on this one, because I didn't find the book beautifully written (or moving or particularly personal--or at least personal in a way that I found terribly involving), quite the opposite actually I found the whole thing rather jumbled and poorly put together. Maybe independently each of the half-dozen things the book tries to be might have interesting enough to sustain well probably not a 150 page book, but something shorter at least, but that jumbled altogether the whole thing just felt messy (there is definitely a 150+ page book completely independent of Celine Dion that could be written just about "taste" and how it gets constructed, but that wouldn't really be a 33 1/3 book.)
I'm really excited for Another Green World, 20 Jazz Funk Greats and Enter The 36 Chambers.
― Alex in SF, Sunday, 30 December 2007 01:47 (sixteen years ago) link
The last for different reasons than the first two cuz I know a fair amount it and how it was made, but I'm hoping that Fernando's take on the recond will be a interesting one.
― Alex in SF, Sunday, 30 December 2007 01:51 (sixteen years ago) link
I got four of the books for christmas. i could give specific impressions on specific books, but my first reaction after just reading all four was kinda being turned off listening to the albums themselves. Not what i would have expected!
― Billy Pilgrim, Sunday, 30 December 2007 02:02 (sixteen years ago) link
I think one thing to keep in mind is how dangerous biographical scenarios are to the listening experience; when I used to listen to "Exile on Main St" I never really thought about how Mick and Keith might or might not be getting along, but after reading the 33 1/3 book about that album now I kind of "listen for the conflict", or something. It's dangerous ground, but it makes you think about the extent to which art expresses its context and the extent to which to revsises/ignores/compensates/represses that context. I guess the same thing happens to "Loveless" given the disclosures in Mike's book, but it's still up to you as reader/listener to process how the book+album=? equation gets solved.
― Drew Daniel, Sunday, 30 December 2007 02:07 (sixteen years ago) link
Hope my book makes people want to listen to TG tho.
I hope so too!
― Alex in SF, Sunday, 30 December 2007 02:09 (sixteen years ago) link
there seems to be more people who want to write these books than read them
state of old-school rockcrit circa 2008
― m coleman, Sunday, 30 December 2007 13:02 (sixteen years ago) link
how it came to this pretty pass could be an EMP presentation ;-)
― m coleman, Sunday, 30 December 2007 13:03 (sixteen years ago) link
Yes, an EMP presentation. But as with the 33-1/3 series, there would be more people who would want to present on it than listen...maybe the entire audience could walk on stage and perform as some sort of improvisatory jam.
It's like what Charles M. Young said in Musician years ago about the music biz where everyone was releasing an album of their own: We already have a genre for this. It's called Poetry. Everyone writes it. Nobody reads it.
― smurfherder, Sunday, 30 December 2007 19:16 (sixteen years ago) link
You are crazy. No one writes poetry.
― Dimension 5ive, Sunday, 30 December 2007 19:29 (sixteen years ago) link
Well, once you turn 20, you stop writing it. Chuck Young was just getting at the idea that it was a genre that had more journals devoted to it than people reading them. Kinda the way I feel when I hit the newsstands and see all these music magazines that seem to be covering the same things.
How many albums does Ryan Adams sell? How many people who buy his albums would then be interested enough to buy a magazine with him on the cover? How many people will buy another issue with him on the cover when he makes another similar album and does a similar interview a year later? Which magazine does the potential reader buy when there are four magazines with this same guy on the cover? Then throw in the fact that most of this info can be found on the internet where you can read it without paying for it and not have to throw it away.
― smurfherder, Sunday, 30 December 2007 20:48 (sixteen years ago) link
-- Dimension 5ive, Sunday, December 30, 2007 11:29 AM (1 hour ago) Bookmark Link
Well, once you turn 20, you stop writing it.
― The Reverend, Sunday, 30 December 2007 20:54 (sixteen years ago) link
looks like the throbbing gristle book is out now - yay!! and accoring to p-fork, you can get a portion of john darnielle's sabbath book by emailing the publisher or something?
― Emily S., Saturday, 12 January 2008 14:05 (sixteen years ago) link
yep, just send an e-mail to sabbathsampler at yahoo dot com. got mine yesterday, maybe an hour after I sent in the request! haven't read it yet, tho.
― Ioannis, Saturday, 12 January 2008 15:50 (sixteen years ago) link
so did people actually learn anything (like, information, ideas) from the celine dion book, or is it just 100 pages of handwringing over the problem of canons of taste? it's a great idea for a book but i worry that it'll be like one long 'thoughtful' blog entry.
most of these books, even the ones written by authors i enjoy, have been mediocre. it's too bad--it's an interesting concept. i think it shows how undeveloped pop-music criticism is compared to, say, film criticism (cf. the BFI Film Classics series).
if franklin bruno could work his paper on "blonde on blonde" into a monogram, i'd buy it. but he'd have to keep in all the close analysis and retain the basic argument that the album is monument to "pop formalism."
― amateurist, Saturday, 12 January 2008 19:17 (sixteen years ago) link
Anyone read the Trout Mask Replica book?
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Saturday, 12 January 2008 19:47 (sixteen years ago) link
I spotted a couple of 'greatest hits' volumes on Amazon. What are these - six full volumes in one, or are they edited versions?
― Ismael Klata, Saturday, 12 January 2008 21:45 (sixteen years ago) link
I really enjoyed reading it. Wilson is really engaging and his writing is too good to dismiss as 'handwringing', but the book just doesn't really go anywhere or, I guess, just ends up exactly where you'd expect. Which is maybe what you mean by "thoughtful blog entry".
I agree with everyone who said the Quebec sections were the most interesting.
― C0L1N B..., Monday, 14 January 2008 21:18 (sixteen years ago) link
I found the chapter on the history of schmaltz pretty enlightening, too.
― jaymc, Monday, 14 January 2008 21:21 (sixteen years ago) link
I enjoyed the Trout Mask book, but there are some errors in it that are pretty unforgiveable. It was written by a Zappa "scholar" (for lack of a better or more appropriate term) and there's almost a hint of defensiveness.
― Trip Maker, Monday, 14 January 2008 21:31 (sixteen years ago) link
How do you get the Master of Reality book?
― Bill Magill, Monday, 14 January 2008 21:34 (sixteen years ago) link
-- Ioannis, Saturday, January 12, 2008 5:50 PM (2 days ago) Bookmark Link
― Ioannis, Monday, 14 January 2008 21:48 (sixteen years ago) link
as someone mentioned a couple of days ago, apparently if you email sabbathsampler at yahoo dot com they'll send you some of that book; not sure if the offer's still valid, but probably is! I loved Carl Wilson's book so much, but I guess maybe the nature of the project itself determined that there could be no obvious or easy conclusion: he almost writes/thinks himself into a corner. But it's still a good corner to be in! I'm still waiting for my copy of DrewDaniel's book on TG.
― Emily S., Monday, 14 January 2008 21:49 (sixteen years ago) link
Cool, I emailed there. Thanks. That's probably my favorite album of all time
― Bill Magill, Monday, 14 January 2008 21:52 (sixteen years ago) link
If Carl's book had come out in 1999, I think I would've been ecstatic, since I spent so much of my last two years of college thinking about exactly the kind of stuff he talks about. Probably would've merited a couple of citations in my senior project, too, especially the parts at the end where he seems to call for a more personal, contextualized criticism that doesn't pretend toward objectivity. As it is, I found it to be a pretty intelligent summary of various issues in aesthetics with the bonus of centering on the career of a woman whom I've spent very little time thinking about.
― jaymc, Monday, 14 January 2008 22:23 (sixteen years ago) link
Great start JohnD on the excerpt I got of the Master of Reality book. I like the concept. And I agree with your protagonist, the lyrics of Sweet Leaf never fit the heavier themes of the rest of the album (which are really out there), but the sound and feel of it totally do. I look forward to reading the whole thing.
― Bill Magill, Tuesday, 15 January 2008 15:25 (sixteen years ago) link
the best chapter of carl's book is that fucking AMAZING chapter 7, i think, ending with the buddy holly/love-scene bit. devastating. the book's quebec bits were for me, by far, among the least-interesting sections - but that's why i'm not really the 33 1/3 market demo anyway. loved the intersection of the very PERSONAL with ideas of aesthetic philosophy and the problems-with-music-crit. can i say again it's fantastic?
― sean gramophone, Tuesday, 15 January 2008 16:07 (sixteen years ago) link
xp
Yeah, I just finished reading the excerpt myself (finally!). Really great shit, John; can't wait to read the rest. Now where the heck is my copy of Master of Reality?
― Ioannis, Tuesday, 15 January 2008 16:35 (sixteen years ago) link
For some bizarre reason, I have like 10 versions of Master... in all sorts of different formats.
― Bill Magill, Tuesday, 15 January 2008 16:37 (sixteen years ago) link
Agree with Sean about that Buddy Holly bit in Carl Wilson's book - I've read that out loud to friends a couple of times, and on both ocassions I haven't managed to get to the end, because of the tears. Is there supposed to be a book on Brian Eno coming out in this series? can't find anything relisable about it anywhere...
― Emily S., Tuesday, 15 January 2008 20:06 (sixteen years ago) link
God I love Master of Reality.
― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Tuesday, 15 January 2008 21:16 (sixteen years ago) link
No shit, it's about as fucking mind-blowing as you can get. I think I played Into the Void like 40 times in a row one time.
― Bill Magill, Tuesday, 15 January 2008 21:17 (sixteen years ago) link
Still waiting for the Master Of Reality book..
..but I'm really loving the 20 Jazz Funk Greats book. (And the "Daniel Drew" thing has been fixed) Drew wondered if people would start to dig on TG after reading this book... I haven't finished the book yet, but I do see a POV of extreme curiosity at the very least. I don't think Throbbing Gristle are a band that anyone can write a good book about and people will just starting going "yeah yeah yeah sounds so raaaad", much less evoke excitement. Drew's discovery story (specifically the discovery of the "place", sorry can't spoil it here) is a perfect setup for that curiosity, which I can't imagine being done better by someone else offhand.
Of course, if you're a TG fan, you will LOVE LOVE LOVE this book, or even a fan of the related groups (Chris and Cosey, Coil, Psychic TV, etc.) You will get plenty of quote/interview & story love from Chris, Cosey, Sleazy, and Gen.
― Mackro Mackro, Friday, 25 January 2008 02:58 (sixteen years ago) link
Sorry, I posted too soon. I thought people above already bought the Master Of Reality book, instead of talking about the album.)
― Mackro Mackro, Friday, 25 January 2008 03:06 (sixteen years ago) link
Notes:
- I am 100% behind the Wilson - a surprisingly large part of that is just based on marveling at his skill with organizing thought patterns and evidence - not to mention the few smack-on-the-head moments where he makes some kind of incredibly astute / mature aside about human relationships
― nabisco, Friday, 25 January 2008 03:18 (sixteen years ago) link
I really enjoyed the GnR UYI book because it was written completely from memory. He hadn't listened to the record in like ten years, then finally revisits the album in the final chapter. Pretty great approach to criticism IMO.
:)
― Nate Carson, Friday, 25 January 2008 03:37 (sixteen years ago) link
This approach is lifted from Nicholson Baker's U and I, a critical study of John Updike's novels written from memory. Or at least that's what I think it was; I haven't read it in years.
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Friday, 25 January 2008 04:10 (sixteen years ago) link
I'm sympathetic to Carl's aims--there quite simply isn't any commercial venue to talk about issues of music at a length longer than an article (and most academic volumes are super dry), and so if you've got a book, you should be spending a significant amount of time talking about ideas. It's just your duty as a critic. There is lots of info about Celine elsewhere. When I've disliked a 33 1/3 book it's due to the author focusing on the music too much, if anything. (Not naming names of course, though Matos' focused on the music in exactly the right way, I think.)
I haven't read the full book yet (though some guy in my class last week mentioned having his mind blown by it) so no comment there.
― Eppy, Friday, 25 January 2008 05:33 (sixteen years ago) link
yeah, Weisbard acknowledges the Nicholson Baker debt; he refers to his own book at times as UYI & I.
― Matos W.K., Friday, 25 January 2008 06:58 (sixteen years ago) link
Yes, he cites where he got the idea in the introduction. But regardless of the inspiration, I thought it worked here. I was entertained and I don't know that I've even heard those records played start to finish. Nor do I care to.
― Nate Carson, Friday, 25 January 2008 09:21 (sixteen years ago) link
oh, it definitely worked; I liked the book a great deal, especially the introduction, where he contrasts the early '90s blockbuster moment with now (the--please forgive me--blogbuster moment?)
― Matos W.K., Friday, 25 January 2008 09:35 (sixteen years ago) link
I actually disliked the GnR book. A little too smarmy, a little too hard on Izzy, a little too reverential to the Pfork legacy in it's 'so over this' tone.
But I just started the Trout Mask Replica book and love it so far. I'm pretty vanilla when it comes to these, I find - I don't want 'novellas,' or 'stories insired by' the albums or word jumbles, or any other nonsense. I like them to read like liner notes. Like I give a fuck about Colin Meloy's life.
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Friday, 25 January 2008 11:45 (sixteen years ago) link
hahaha "reverential to the Pfork legacy"--by a guy who'd been writing a decade before Pitchfork even existed
― Matos W.K., Friday, 25 January 2008 12:55 (sixteen years ago) link
I'm just saying, it's very 'new journalism,' very self righteous. Maybe I'm just old fashioned.
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Friday, 25 January 2008 12:58 (sixteen years ago) link
The Carl Wilson book is the best book on music I've read in many years. So refreshing to read something about pop culture that's all smarts & no snark.
― fritz, Friday, 25 January 2008 17:14 (sixteen years ago) link
Is the Eno out? Anybody read it?
― Patrick South, Friday, 25 January 2008 17:43 (sixteen years ago) link
I'm reading 20 Jazz Funk Greats right now and loving it.
― Alex in SF, Friday, 25 January 2008 17:51 (sixteen years ago) link
a little too hard on Izzy
I didn't read the GnR book. What's this about? Izzy is my fave member. He's the main diff between bad and good GnR, I think.
― QuantumNoise, Friday, 25 January 2008 18:47 (sixteen years ago) link
from the silence on the publishers blog, i'm guessing that the eno book isn't even written yet?
― Emily S., Friday, 25 January 2008 19:48 (sixteen years ago) link
The books will come out if/when they come out.
This goes for any book, Eno or not.
― Mackro Mackro, Friday, 25 January 2008 19:51 (sixteen years ago) link
I thought Geeta said somewhere it was finished or almost finished.
― Alex in SF, Friday, 25 January 2008 21:27 (sixteen years ago) link
"I'm reading 20 Jazz Funk Greats right now and loving it."
me too. a+
― tricky, Friday, 25 January 2008 21:28 (sixteen years ago) link
I got my galleys/press copy of my book this week. I have to say, since "writer" was the second thing I ever wanted to be in the world (the first was "conductor" - lotsa of albums with Toscanini or Bernstein on the cover in the living room when I was toddlin'), that seeing a bound copy of something I'd written was a thrill comparable only to the first time I got a test pressing back from a vinyl pressing plant. But better, really.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2394/2213513468_328712cc03.jpg?v=0
― J0hn D., Friday, 25 January 2008 22:05 (sixteen years ago) link
Congrats! I cannot wait to read that come April.
― A. Begrand, Friday, 25 January 2008 22:07 (sixteen years ago) link
nice
― Catsupppppppppppppp dude 茄蕃, Friday, 25 January 2008 22:23 (sixteen years ago) link
awesome, dude.
― Ioannis, Friday, 25 January 2008 22:29 (sixteen years ago) link
i totally can't wait to read your book, john -- congrats!
― Mike McGooney-gal, Friday, 25 January 2008 23:16 (sixteen years ago) link
They should release the book with that cover. Metal!
― Eppy, Friday, 25 January 2008 23:33 (sixteen years ago) link
I was thinking the same thing!
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 25 January 2008 23:34 (sixteen years ago) link
Not to derail, but, John, "Lovecraft In Brooklyn" is one of your best songs ever!!
and yes i'm psyched to read this as well...
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Friday, 25 January 2008 23:48 (sixteen years ago) link
i'm off to berlin for the first time next month. how is the bowie 'LOW' book?
― pisces, Friday, 14 March 2008 10:22 (sixteen years ago) link
yes, the Bowie book by Hugo Wilken (sp??) is one of the best I've read in the series - good research, concise, evocative, and smart.
― Emily S., Friday, 14 March 2008 14:51 (sixteen years ago) link
agreed.
― Whiney G. Weingarten, Friday, 14 March 2008 14:56 (sixteen years ago) link
I finished reading my copy of the Black Sabbath book last night and it left me emotionally cleaned out. Wow. Don't think I've heard that particular voice articulated so clearly and so movingly before.
― Emily S., Wednesday, 16 April 2008 14:38 (sixteen years ago) link
Very much looking forward to reading that and Drew D's TG one.
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 16 April 2008 14:42 (sixteen years ago) link
Yeah, I wrote about John's book on my blog yesterday. It's fucking brilliant.
― unperson, Wednesday, 16 April 2008 14:42 (sixteen years ago) link
Is it actually officially out now?
― Alex in SF, Wednesday, 16 April 2008 16:38 (sixteen years ago) link
I tried to get the Master Of Reality book at Easy Street last night, and they didn't have it, never got it in :(
― Mackro Mackro, Wednesday, 16 April 2008 16:42 (sixteen years ago) link
well Easy Street aside (shame to hear that) yes the book came out yesterday! thank you for your kind words pf & emily, really appreciate it, book was hard to write so if it works for people then it was totally worth it
― J0hn D., Wednesday, 16 April 2008 17:03 (sixteen years ago) link
I can't wait to read this.
― Bill Magill, Wednesday, 16 April 2008 17:17 (sixteen years ago) link
Now that this thread's resurfaced, I've gotta drop props for David Smay's Swordfishtrombones. Fun read.
― Terrible Cold, Wednesday, 16 April 2008 17:26 (sixteen years ago) link
the LOW one is ace agreed.
― pisces, Thursday, 17 April 2008 13:04 (sixteen years ago) link
Totally agree about the Tom Waits book - it's a toss-up between that one and the Zeppelin book for the funniest/wittiest book in the series.
― Emily S., Thursday, 17 April 2008 13:28 (sixteen years ago) link
carl wilson's celine book really is as phenomenal as everyone says, great great book.
― balls, Thursday, 17 April 2008 15:11 (sixteen years ago) link
already posted this to the NB, but hell, while I'm at it . . .
I am having a reading from my 33 1/3 book tonight, and I am DJing a Throbbing Gristle happy hour beforehand around the corner from the bookstore. Please come! http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2360/2420504677_dce63f9a21.jpg
― Drew Daniel, Thursday, 17 April 2008 15:17 (sixteen years ago) link
The Minutemen book isn't much more than extended liner notes for Double Nickels, which I finally realized was just the approach I wanted taken. Lots of inside references explained by Watt, though Hurley didn't participate. Anyway, the author gets huge credit-to-humanity points for bringing MacKaye to his punk rock class for show and tell: Who Brought the Cool Kid? Download
― dad a, Wednesday, 23 April 2008 16:42 (sixteen years ago) link
I gleaned a lot of fun and useful information from that book--and the interview he published with Watt is priceless. But, man, if you're using that 33 1/3 book as a model, make sure you do a better job of checking all of your facts and figures, including the spelling of songtitles, the lyrics as they appear on the lyric sheet (and as they're actually sung), and the real-world stuff that anyone writing a nonfiction book should know.
Like that "500 thousand" in "Viet Nam" can't correctly refer to "North Vietnamese dead," which was greater than 1 million (maybe D. Boon goofed, but more likely he was referring to the number of U.S. troops deployed, which at one point was around 500,000). And if you're stumped by the meaning of a song, ASK SOMEBODY. Is it really that tough to figure out that "Maybe Partying Will Help" is about decadence?
― Pete Scholtes, Thursday, 24 April 2008 01:55 (sixteen years ago) link
I heard <I>Metal Machine Music</I> for the first time last night and was totally enraptured and all "OMG 33 1/3 MEGAPITCH IDEA!!!" and then i looked at the blog this morning and discovered that three pitches for that were turned down in the last selection round. now I'm wondering if I should really try to write this thing. seriously, who else publishes this sort of single-album-centric stuff?
― Beatrix Kiddo, Thursday, 24 April 2008 13:02 (sixteen years ago) link
p.s. carl wilson's celine book was FANTASTIQUE, and delved way deeper into notions of taste and opinion than i could've hoped for.
― Beatrix Kiddo, Thursday, 24 April 2008 14:44 (sixteen years ago) link
The Celine book isn't just the best 33 1/3 I've read, but one of the better books I've read in a while. Maybe just because it's a viewpoint that I'm very sympathetic to.
J0hn D., I'll admit that I was skeptical about reading Master of Reality (I haven't read any of the other fictional entries, mostly because the fictional conceit doesn't seem to jibe with what I'm looking to get out of the series), but I'm really glad that I did because it was excellent. It worked really well as an epistolary novella, but it was also more effective at parsing the album (a process which sometimes benefits from a hyper-subjective, inarticulate-yet-passionate perspective) than some of the more straightforward entries have been.
― Deric W. Haircare, Tuesday, 6 May 2008 16:47 (sixteen years ago) link
I still haven't seen J0hn's book anywhere. It's out everywhere now, right? Read the Popmatters interview earlier today.
Deric, what did you like about the Celine book (what viewpoint are you sympathetic to)?
You brought up something in your post that I've been wondering about -- the part about what you're looking to get out of the series. It seems like fans of these books fall into two camps; ppl who want to read opinion or even more personal writing (crit equavalent of "perzine"? haw) and people who want fact-packed, historical accounts of the makings of the records.
― roxymuzak, Tuesday, 6 May 2008 17:25 (sixteen years ago) link
I think I've wanted different things from different books, though. I read Matos's book and am interested in Darnielle's because I like their writing (I've never even heard a Black Sabbath album), whereas I read the Aja and Court and Spark books because I like those albums.
― jaymc, Tuesday, 6 May 2008 17:31 (sixteen years ago) link
Never read Matos's, but it sounds like a nice combo.
― roxymuzak, Tuesday, 6 May 2008 17:33 (sixteen years ago) link
I'm sympathetic to the idea of taste being subjective and often based largely on negation (i.e. in terms of that which repels us and threatens our self-identity) and how approaching art from that standpoint can be incredibly limiting. Also, on a related note, I'm intrigued with the schism between individual interaction (as experienced by the critic/connoisseur) and social interaction with art (as experienced by the "unwashed masses").
I think the best books in the series kinda hit both notes at once. The Guns n' Roses book being a perfect example, wherein Eric Weisbard writes around the album and doesn't even listen to it until before writing the last chapter.
The only entries I've avoided were the fictional ones (which I'm re-thinking now) and anything heavily technical (Murmur kind of turned into an audio engineering guide in places and my interest waned). But that's about it. I'm interested in reading ones about albums I don't even like.
― Deric W. Haircare, Tuesday, 6 May 2008 18:02 (sixteen years ago) link
hey everybody I am giving a reading on Saturday at Housing Works so if you are in NY and would like to see me read my stuff please come out! here is where the deal is: http://www.livefromhome.org/events/
― J0hn D., Wednesday, 14 May 2008 18:37 (fifteen years ago) link
Holy shit, thats right around the corner from me. I'll for sure be there. Just bought the book last night, almost done with it. It is really amazing J0hn.
― jonathan - stl, Wednesday, 14 May 2008 18:40 (fifteen years ago) link
I have trouble articulating how stunned I am by John's book. My wife, who shakes her head and leaves the room when I play Sabbath, was equally moved.
It seems my reaction may not be universal. Some people just don't get it:
PSU Vanguard
― EZ Snappin, Friday, 23 May 2008 15:20 (fifteen years ago) link
That review is stupid. I finished the book last night. Fantastic work!
― Bill Magill, Friday, 23 May 2008 15:33 (fifteen years ago) link
what's the average word length for these books?
― Beatrix Kiddo, Friday, 23 May 2008 15:36 (fifteen years ago) link
Just got the Reign in Blood book today. Judging by the big "outtake" chapter that appeared in Decibel a few months ago (http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features/apr2008/slayer.aspx), this is going to be a good one...
― A. Begrand, Tuesday, 10 June 2008 22:24 (fifteen years ago) link
Upstairs in Foyle's bookshop in London, as you enter the music section (which is aces btw), there is a whole set of shelves devoted to the series, I has most, if not all of the books and they look so damn cool all racked together.
― MaresNest, Tuesday, 10 June 2008 22:40 (fifteen years ago) link
Good stuff in that Slayer excerpt. Lombardo sounds like the metal version of Doug Christie, totally pussy-whipped.
― Bill Magill, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 20:45 (fifteen years ago) link
I didn't get that impression at all.
― Alex in SF, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 21:07 (fifteen years ago) link
I have trouble articulating how stunned I am by John's book.
me too, although "outcast teens fucked over by the system" stories ALWAYS tug at my heartstrings.
― get bent, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 21:13 (fifteen years ago) link
The Slayer book didn't make me as happy as I hoped it would, though frankly anything traveling in the wake of John's book was gonna be pretty much fucked from the get-go.
― unperson, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 21:16 (fifteen years ago) link
anything traveling in the wake of John's book was gonna be pretty much fucked from the get-go.
Can't argue with that.
― A. Begrand, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 22:38 (fifteen years ago) link
This series is coming along nicely. I've got some catching up to do. Also really looking forward to Geeta's Another Green World.
― Fastnbulbous, Friday, 20 June 2008 17:34 (fifteen years ago) link
i cant get the AJA book anywhere.
― piscesx, Friday, 20 June 2008 18:04 (fifteen years ago) link
I'd buy a Sherburne or Tim Finney contribution to the series.
― djh, Friday, 20 June 2008 22:44 (fifteen years ago) link
can't wait to read j0hn's
― roxymuzak, Friday, 20 June 2008 22:57 (fifteen years ago) link
Bought Drew's "20 Jazz Funk Greats" yesterday and started it on the subway this morning. It's excellent so far. Thanks, Drew!
― Capitaine Jay Vee, Tuesday, 15 July 2008 21:33 (fifteen years ago) link
There are a lot of good things about reign in Blood, but being a typical, nitpicky metal fan, a lot of stuff stuck in my craw. Like how so much emphasis is placed on Slayer, Rubin, and Wallace getting Grammy awards, facts nobody should ever care about, let alone a Slayer fan. It's a neat change that he bookends the analysis with views of the album from a hardcore perspective, but at the same time he almost glosses over the impact the album had on the people who adore it the most: the metal community. And although there are some fabulous quotes from people like Gene Hoglan and Page Hamilton, so many of the musicians interviewed have litlle to nothing original to say about Slayer and the record, aside from that Slayer Rules and "Angel of Death" is awesome, which the entire world knows already. And what really bugged me was when he finally gets to dissecting the album at the end, when he gets to "Postmortem", the coolest song on the album and arguably the most complex piece the band has ever recorded, he just goes on and on about the "Do you wanna die" line and little else, going off on a stupid tangent involving the Toadies. That part just made me mad.
Overall it's enjoyable, but argh, it could have been even better in my opinion.
― A. Begrand, Tuesday, 15 July 2008 22:27 (fifteen years ago) link
Oh, and Matos's review of Master of Reality in this month's Decibel has the best assessment of the book I've read so far: "Forget the other 33 1/3's, this belongs next to The Catcher in the Rye."
Extremely high praise, and totally OTM.
― A. Begrand, Tuesday, 15 July 2008 22:29 (fifteen years ago) link
drew daniel's "20 jazz funk greats" is genius
― moonship journey to baja, Sunday, 17 August 2008 05:25 (fifteen years ago) link
it really is!
― haitch, Sunday, 17 August 2008 12:05 (fifteen years ago) link
the book on theres a riot is dissapointing. seems like it was done in a rush job.
― titchy (titchyschneiderMk2), Sunday, 4 January 2009 12:01 (fifteen years ago) link
I'm pissed that I just realized I missed the deadline (Dec. 31) for the latest round of submissions. I had a great idea ... :(
― Joseph McCombs, Sunday, 4 January 2009 17:07 (fifteen years ago) link
EXILE IN SPIDERLAND
― 909090909 Rivethed Brikkchin Reverk now DANZ (Mackro Mackro), Tuesday, 13 January 2009 03:17 (fifteen years ago) link
597 proposals submitted. See January 11th posting
http://www.33third.blogspot.com/
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 13 January 2009 05:30 (fifteen years ago) link
The Counting Crows one better not be accepted. I reallllly want to write one about THIS DESERT LIFE, and even with the new rules, there's no way they'd print two CC books.
― Someone Still Loves You Evan and Jaron (Tape Store), Tuesday, 13 January 2009 05:57 (fifteen years ago) link
btw, anyone know what's going on with ann powers' kate bush book?
― Someone Still Loves You Evan and Jaron (Tape Store), Tuesday, 13 January 2009 06:01 (fifteen years ago) link
Some pretty interesting and exciting proposals on their. Will be interesting to see the short list. (and to see if I make it that far!)
― Nate Carson, Tuesday, 13 January 2009 12:57 (fifteen years ago) link
loved the riot book, it works as a great companion to the 'in their own words' book....
― show me a horse that PIVOTS ON THE SPOT and I'll show you my actual tes (stevie), Tuesday, 13 January 2009 13:18 (fifteen years ago) link
Anyone here make the shortlist? (Besides Raggett and Southall?)
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Monday, 16 February 2009 18:07 (fifteen years ago) link
i'm surprised a proposal for 808s & heartbreak made it. surely it is way too soon to be thinking about writing a book on that album!
― lex pretend, Monday, 16 February 2009 18:09 (fifteen years ago) link
i'm in, still
― Haikunym Mark II (Dimension 5ive), Monday, 16 February 2009 18:19 (fifteen years ago) link
I actually think writing about a really recent album (especially a divisive one) is a great idea. Kind of higher risk, but still something I've been kind of hoping they'd do for a while now.
― I AM NOT NAS. NAS IS NOT A WINDOW (some dude), Monday, 16 February 2009 18:20 (fifteen years ago) link
if they hadn't already done Use Your Illusion in the last run i'd say Chinest Democracy would've been a good one to pitch.
― I AM NOT NAS. NAS IS NOT A WINDOW (some dude), Monday, 16 February 2009 18:21 (fifteen years ago) link
i guess it depends on the angle, and i'm all in favour of doing recent stuff, but...idk, at least wait until the album promo cycle is over?
― lex pretend, Monday, 16 February 2009 18:27 (fifteen years ago) link
be the time you write it, the promo cycle will be long over fwiw
― Whiney G. Weingarten, Monday, 16 February 2009 18:28 (fifteen years ago) link
yeah i mean this next run wouldn't hit shelves til what, 2011, maybe late 2010? what Kanye does in the next couple years will definitely have some impact on how much people wanna read about that particular record by then, but i don't see anything wrong with taking a gamble that there'll still be interest.
― I AM NOT NAS. NAS IS NOT A WINDOW (some dude), Monday, 16 February 2009 18:38 (fifteen years ago) link
Yeah, it seems like a book comes out anywhere from a year to three years after the title is chosen. (Five of the 21 titles chosen in January 2006 have yet to see publication, and I'm only aware of one case in which the project fell apart.)
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Monday, 16 February 2009 18:41 (fifteen years ago) link
of the 2 out of 21 picked in march 2007 have seen publication!
― Whiney G. Weingarten, Monday, 16 February 2009 18:49 (fifteen years ago) link
lol whiney idk if it's all the tweeting but yr typing has taken a turn for the worse in this thread
― Jewish Lager (k3vin k.), Monday, 16 February 2009 18:51 (fifteen years ago) link
before you know it he won't even bother to type out "billyburg beardos" unabbreviated
― I AM NOT NAS. NAS IS NOT A WINDOW (some dude), Monday, 16 February 2009 18:53 (fifteen years ago) link
can i just
― Whiney G. Weingarten, Monday, 16 February 2009 19:01 (fifteen years ago) link
abbreviating words saves you 30 oh fuck it
― and what, Monday, 16 February 2009 19:02 (fifteen years ago) link
I'm out, but it was a total longshot anyway.
― Chris Barrus (Elvis Telecom), Monday, 16 February 2009 19:57 (fifteen years ago) link
I can't believe they turned down my proposal for Rudimentary Peni "Cacophony"!
Oh wait, yes I can :)
Twas a fun proposal to write anyway! (and an honest choice)
― Nate Carson, Monday, 16 February 2009 23:26 (fifteen years ago) link
James Franco is reading the Celine Dion book:http://www.truveo.com/James-Franco-Has-No-Time-For-TV/id/652871651
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Monday, 23 February 2009 20:45 (fifteen years ago) link
my respect for dude ever increases
― its gotta be HOOSy para steen (BIG HOOS aka the steendriver), Monday, 23 February 2009 22:36 (fifteen years ago) link
my crush on dude ever increases
― lex pretend, Monday, 23 February 2009 22:40 (fifteen years ago) link
where is Big Star "Third/Sister Lovers" book (ie, the only one of this series I would probably ever bother to actually read)
― Comic Book Morbius (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 23 February 2009 22:44 (fifteen years ago) link
Speaking of Carl, via Facebook:
Carl Wilson is almost scared to say it aloud, but Carl's friends might want to watch the Colbert Report on Wed, March 4
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 24 February 2009 22:17 (fifteen years ago) link
As good a place as any to mention I'll be giving an essay/reading/Q&A on Joy Division this Sunday at Barbes in Park Slope (Brooklyn, NY, USA, the World, the Universe). 7PM. Only throw soft things.
― cee-oh-tee-tee, Wednesday, 25 February 2009 00:10 (fifteen years ago) link
Oh if only I lived in NY, I've been waiting so long to see the legendary Mr. Ott in a live setting...
― ilxor, Wednesday, 25 February 2009 00:30 (fifteen years ago) link
His epileptic fits of transformative power and madness on stage, I hear, are unequaled.
― ilxor, Wednesday, 25 February 2009 00:31 (fifteen years ago) link
I'm no Lady Sovereign.
― cee-oh-tee-tee, Wednesday, 25 February 2009 00:39 (fifteen years ago) link
which ones are upcoming?anyone read the U2 book?
― piscesx, Wednesday, 25 February 2009 06:22 (fifteen years ago) link
hope the da drought 3 one gets published
― J0rdan S., Wednesday, 25 February 2009 06:25 (fifteen years ago) link
Zoinks.
― post-schadenfreude (fukasaku tollbooth), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 10:23 (fifteen years ago) link
Not totally news now but the shortlist was released the other day. Didn't make the cut, alas, so I decided to put up my proposal for the heck of it.
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 31 March 2009 12:50 (fifteen years ago) link
Obviously I haven't seen the complete proposals, but that's a pretty bland list. I was really excited by some of the titles on the original shortlist.
― Shannon Whirry & the Bad Brains, Tuesday, 31 March 2009 14:12 (fifteen years ago) link
My Talk Talk pitch made it to the 150 but no further.
― Sickamous Mouthall (Scik Mouthy), Tuesday, 31 March 2009 14:13 (fifteen years ago) link
― J0rdan S., Wednesday, February 25, 2009 1:25 AM (1 month ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
^^ the one album on the list i think we can all agree needs a 33 & 1/3...
― rip dom passantino 3/5/09 never forget (max), Tuesday, 31 March 2009 14:13 (fifteen years ago) link
Your proposal is great, Ned.
― Shannon Whirry & the Bad Brains, Tuesday, 31 March 2009 14:14 (fifteen years ago) link
That comments thread on the blog is a nightmare, though. It's amazing the guy doesn't just hang it all up with that many screeching jackals clogging his inbox.
― Shannon Whirry & the Bad Brains, Tuesday, 31 March 2009 14:15 (fifteen years ago) link
I love the dude that thinks the writers should be able to crank these things out in a week or two.
― legendary North American forest ape (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Tuesday, 31 March 2009 14:20 (fifteen years ago) link
i've read a few of these things that definitely seem like they could've been cranked out in a week or two (not always in a bad way, either).
― a pissed-off yuppie wandering around L.A. trying it (some dude), Tuesday, 31 March 2009 14:23 (fifteen years ago) link
Seconded!
― ilxor, Tuesday, 31 March 2009 15:11 (fifteen years ago) link
Thanks!
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 31 March 2009 15:13 (fifteen years ago) link
i would buy all this Ned A
― butt-rock miyagi (rogermexico.), Tuesday, 31 March 2009 16:07 (fifteen years ago) link
Like I say in the blog post, apparently there was a pretty intense back and forth at Continuum between my proposal and the other one, so I like to think of that one as being pretty damn amazing, and look forward to seeing what it's all about.
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 31 March 2009 16:17 (fifteen years ago) link
someone should start a 34 1/4 series for the good ones that didnt make it in
― s1ocki, Tuesday, 31 March 2009 16:18 (fifteen years ago) link
I would read a series about singles called 45
― BADGES DON'T GIVE YOU THE RIGHT TO WALTZ OFF WITH A BABY (HI DERE), Tuesday, 31 March 2009 16:19 (fifteen years ago) link
Oh man, the comments in the comments section on the 33 1/3 blog are really depressing to me. How about that Bill Fox trolling, eh?
― Neotropical pygmy squirrel, Tuesday, 31 March 2009 16:21 (fifteen years ago) link
Create a blog on blogspot and stir false hopes.
― The Screaming Lobster of Challops (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 31 March 2009 16:22 (fifteen years ago) link
45 words in 45 minutes
― \m/ evol-love \m/ (Ioannis), Tuesday, 31 March 2009 16:25 (fifteen years ago) link
today is the 60th birthday of the 45 single, fwiw
― Whiney G. Weingarten, Tuesday, 31 March 2009 16:26 (fifteen years ago) link
The............................................ most..................................... interesting....................... thing.................. about.......................... Roxy............................. Music's...................
― legendary North American forest ape (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Tuesday, 31 March 2009 16:26 (fifteen years ago) link
LMFAO
― Whiney G. Weingarten, Tuesday, 31 March 2009 16:28 (fifteen years ago) link
i've read a few of these things that definitely seem like they could've been cranked out in a week or two
(raises hand)
― Matos W.K., Tuesday, 31 March 2009 22:01 (fifteen years ago) link
But only a lifetime of SotT love could adequately prepare you for that week, right?
― legendary North American forest ape (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Tuesday, 31 March 2009 22:12 (fifteen years ago) link
2 weeks. and only a cross-country move and a new job and a blown deadline prepared me for it.
― Matos W.K., Tuesday, 31 March 2009 22:39 (fifteen years ago) link
2010-2011 roster!
Portishead’s Dummy, by RJ WheatonJohnny Cash’s American Recordings, by Tony TostTelevision’s Marquee Moon, by Bryan WatermanLiz Phair’s Exile in Guyville, by Gina ArnoldAC/DC’s Highway to Hell, by Joe BonomoWeen’s Chocolate and Cheese, by Hank ShteamerRadiohead’s Kid A, by Marvin LinDinosaur Jr.’s You’re Living All Over Me, by Nick AttfieldAretha Franklin’s Amazing Grace, by Aaron CohenSlint’s Spiderland, by Scott TennentThe Rolling Stones’ Some Girls, by Cyrus Patell
― gui lovato (Whiney G. Weingarten), Saturday, 9 May 2009 17:23 (fifteen years ago) link
Excited to see what Gina and Hank do.
― gui lovato (Whiney G. Weingarten), Saturday, 9 May 2009 17:24 (fifteen years ago) link
couple all-time favorite albums on there, at least 2 or 3 others i'm interested in reading a book about. good to get confirmation nothing i would've pitched would've got picked so that i feel less guilty about not sending a proposal, though.
― Briney Deep Coralgarden (some dude), Saturday, 9 May 2009 17:34 (fifteen years ago) link
well the trick is pitching an book that people would want to read.
― gui lovato (Whiney G. Weingarten), Saturday, 9 May 2009 17:35 (fifteen years ago) link
i have friends who are like "I'm getting my Das Damen pitch all ready!" and you wanna be like, "Uh..."
― gui lovato (Whiney G. Weingarten), Saturday, 9 May 2009 17:36 (fifteen years ago) link
Special thanks to Matos for talking me out of my original pitch, which probably wouldn't have gotten picked.
― gui lovato (Whiney G. Weingarten), Saturday, 9 May 2009 17:37 (fifteen years ago) link
haha...yeah i mean that was part of why i didn't, i knew there wasn't a booming market for any of the ideas i had.
― Briney Deep Coralgarden (some dude), Saturday, 9 May 2009 17:53 (fifteen years ago) link
that kid a wasn't ned's, was it?
― some dude, don't make it dad (k3vin k.), Saturday, 9 May 2009 18:49 (fifteen years ago) link
you got all the way down these 8 whole posts and couldn't look back?
― gui lovato (Whiney G. Weingarten), Saturday, 9 May 2009 18:53 (fifteen years ago) link
Aretha Franklin’s Amazing Grace, by Aaron Cohen - real interesting choice
― corps of discovery (schlump), Saturday, 9 May 2009 19:10 (fifteen years ago) link
Not unless I mysteriously changed my name to Marvin Lin, no.
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 9 May 2009 19:21 (fifteen years ago) link
When is the Skiz Fernando 36 Chambers book due out?
― Alex in SF, Saturday, 9 May 2009 19:35 (fifteen years ago) link
Results 1 - 10 of about 567 for "nom de plume" and "ned raggett". (0.29 seconds)
― velko, Saturday, 9 May 2009 20:01 (fifteen years ago) link
lol
― numerous circles of frontin (The Reverend), Saturday, 9 May 2009 22:45 (fifteen years ago) link
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3298/3621287960_f5b87459b9.jpg
More here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jima/sets/72157619665545234/
― Elvis Telecom, Friday, 26 June 2009 19:11 (fourteen years ago) link
Just read my first 3... Celine, Sabbath and Replacements. I liked them all, especially Sabbath but even Colin Meloy's memoir, so I guess I'm a fan of the non-traditional approach. ANy suggestions for what I should tackle next? Sounds like the Big Pink and Zep ones are of the same vein.
― sofatruck, Tuesday, 22 September 2009 20:35 (fourteen years ago) link
My favorites:
LowCourt and SparkExile in Main StreetSign 'O The Times
― vulva eyes (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 22 September 2009 20:39 (fourteen years ago) link
The Zep is beautifully written. Can't go wrong with Erik Davis.
Dying to read the Pogues one. Anyone tackle that yet?
― Kevin John Bozelka, Tuesday, 22 September 2009 20:39 (fourteen years ago) link
Geeta!
― all you need is love vs. money (that's what i want) (Ioannis), Tuesday, 22 September 2009 21:36 (fourteen years ago) link
Yep, the Low & Court & Spark ones are really great as are the Throbbing Gristle and Minutemen books.
So far my least favourite ones have been OK Computer & Achtung Baby.
― MaresNest, Tuesday, 22 September 2009 21:40 (fourteen years ago) link
I'll third the Court & Spark recommendation, though it doesn't exactly fit your "non-traditional" criteria. Fairly straight analysis but very well done and nicely written.
The Joe Pernice book on Meat is Murder is a novella. Haven't read it so can't say if it was a success, but may be one to check if that's the kind of book you like.
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Tuesday, 22 September 2009 22:26 (fourteen years ago) link
Worst yet for me is the Jethro Tull. Followed by the Zepplin. Yawn.
Best is definitely the GnR (and I don't even own/like that album).
― Nate Carson, Tuesday, 22 September 2009 22:28 (fourteen years ago) link
My favorites are the ones that are all "Here's what they were doing!! Here's how they made the album!!" So: Loveless, In the Aeroplane, and Doolittle.
― An adult loves to win awards (Stevie D), Tuesday, 22 September 2009 22:32 (fourteen years ago) link
I've read three: Zep IV and Sign 'o' The Times ruled, Forever Changes was boring. DYING to read Master Of Reality.
― Wee Tam and the lolhueg (Jon Lewis), Tuesday, 22 September 2009 22:34 (fourteen years ago) link
Anyone read the Big Star or Wire books yet?
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Tuesday, 22 September 2009 22:46 (fourteen years ago) link
The Joe Pernice is the only one I've read in this series that I'm not so crazy about. Gets points for pretty consistent and believable tone: this isn't too far what some stranger's 80's high school diary would read like, but nothing much happens (which helps with the believability factor but not so much with the reading pleasure), it's overly nostalgic about pre-modern means of getting/listening to/getting into music, and the characters aren't interesting. Nothing like the pretty much unqualified success of Master of Reality. The PJ Harvey one's also "non-traditional" I gather.
― dad a, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 01:40 (fourteen years ago) link
the Zep one is definitely my favorite of the ones I've read. read the Illmatic one recently and it was kind of disappointing considering how few volumes there are about rap albums, so bland and clinical.
damn there's still so many of these I wanna read...Armed Forces, Use Your Illusion, Aja, The Who Sell Out expecially.
― @l shilpey (some dude), Wednesday, 23 September 2009 01:48 (fourteen years ago) link
The Use Your Illusion books have juicy remarks about how overrated Izzy was. The song by song analysis is useful.
― vulva eyes (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 23 September 2009 01:57 (fourteen years ago) link
*book had
I need the Aquemini book to come out bad. Anybody know anything about the authors N1ck Weidenfeld and Michael Schmelling?
― Moreno, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 02:08 (fourteen years ago) link
"armed forces" book is probably in my top five music books of all time.
― strongohulkingtonsghost, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 02:12 (fourteen years ago) link
where's the another green world one already? so hoping it's good
― iago g., Wednesday, 23 September 2009 02:33 (fourteen years ago) link
i didn't think much of the Aja one. lots of very dry description of chord progressions and harmonies and lyrics with very little commentary or insight. cool if you're a musician or theory-head i guess but for me it was too much 'how' with not enough 'why.' and if you're more than a casual fan of the band you'll have already heard all the anecdotes he includes too.
― jabba hands, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 03:02 (fourteen years ago) link
The Village Green Preservation Society one is like the greatest Mojo article ever. Other than that, I fully agree with the other faves Loveless, 20 Jazz Funk Greats, Sign O' The Times, Led Zeppelin IV
Only one that has been a slog was Murmur
― Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 06:11 (fourteen years ago) link
the There's A Riot Going On book is fabulous, just wonderful. the Paul's Boutique book is dry but good for factual info. the Daydream Nation book is drivel. these are all I've read.
― jesus mighty lord chewy (stevie), Wednesday, 23 September 2009 07:35 (fourteen years ago) link
The Low one was illuminating.
― Zelda Zonk, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 08:28 (fourteen years ago) link
amazon re: Another Green World:
Product Details
* Paperback: 128 pages * Publisher: Continuum (September 15, 2009)
wtf?
― livin' large under the shadow of a Suggest Ban (Ioannis), Wednesday, 23 September 2009 08:44 (fourteen years ago) link
Nothing WTF about it, it just means Geeta's book is published or about to be.
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 12:08 (fourteen years ago) link
The one on Harvest is pretty good.
― anagram, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 12:22 (fourteen years ago) link
xp considering it took like a million years seemingly and there is no fanfare on the blog, it is a bit wtf actually.
― Alex in SF, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 12:24 (fourteen years ago) link
Actually I guess it sez way down in one post in like July that it's coming in late September.
― Alex in SF, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 12:26 (fourteen years ago) link
geeta said on another thread that it was coming out in september iirc
― just sayin, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 12:31 (fourteen years ago) link
yeah, but it's still only available for pre-order is my point.
― livin' large under the shadow of a Suggest Ban (Ioannis), Wednesday, 23 September 2009 13:32 (fourteen years ago) link
the world's gone mad
― fountain bleaut (s1ocki), Wednesday, 23 September 2009 14:06 (fourteen years ago) link
In my secret fantasy world I'm writing one of these on Secret Treaties.
― Wee Tam and the lolhueg (Jon Lewis), Wednesday, 23 September 2009 15:34 (fourteen years ago) link
The one on Harvest is pretty good.You thought so? That was the worst one I've read, imo ... Didn't seem like the writer really cared about the album at all -- or even like it!
― tylerw, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 15:38 (fourteen years ago) link
The one's I've read:
Let's Talk About Love - The guy seems a bit up himself even when doesn't try to be (hard not to do when talking about Celine Dion, I guess) but other than that, it's a very good read. A-Paul's Boutique - Kind of dry. As much about rejecting why they moved away from the first album as how this one was made. Worth reading though, you'll learn a few things and a couple anacdotes will put a smile on yr face. BRid of Me - Indie music fan fiction. Not badly written but I think I would have preferred it if she didn't keep trying to push PJ references into the narrative and instead just take the influence and do her own thing. C-In Utero - Pretty good! Paints everyone, even Courtney in a fair manner and just lets the story work on it's own. (Spoiler- doesn't end happily.) A69 Love Songs - Interesting idea in theory, didn't work too well in reality in regards to the 69LS dictionary. The second half is much more interesting, taking straight quotes from band+friends+audiences+etc. about each song and just leaves you feeling there were more anacdotes. C+Sign O' The Times - Really fucking good. Very much a 'My Personal History Through Listening To Prince' but covers his career and specifics of the album just perfectly. A+Loveless - There is nothing to fault it on, it's well written and well informed, the band are interesting. A-In An Aeroplane Over The Sea - See Loveless. Crazy auteur makes ridiculously overblown record, kinda disappears afterwards. Well written. A-Daydream Nation - Pretty good coverage of the record and the scene but I can't remember it that well. BIf You're Feeling Sinister - See Daydream Nation. C
― Samuel (a hoy hoy), Wednesday, 23 September 2009 15:53 (fourteen years ago) link
If Brett Easton Ellis wrote one in the style of Patrick Bateman, I wonder what the best album to write about would be?
― MaresNest, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 16:06 (fourteen years ago) link
It would have to be Fore wouldn't it?
― sofatruck, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 16:24 (fourteen years ago) link
Brothers In Arms?
― MaresNest, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 16:37 (fourteen years ago) link
"armed forces" book is probably in my top five music books of all time
seconded: given how entrenched my idea of costello was ('singer-songwriter', boring old man, wasn't he punk once lol) it's amazing how much this book forces you (well, forced me) to consider the actual project of what he's doing in his early songwriting/recording. like if there was one kind of music criticism i'd like to see more of on a regular basis it's this kind of deeply engaged analysis.
― thomp, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 16:49 (fourteen years ago) link
and i totally cannot remember the name of the dude who wrote it, though i have a vague feeling he was on a mountian gaots record once
Franklin Bruno, right?
― jaymc, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 16:53 (fourteen years ago) link
Franklin Bruno, and yes he played on Tallahassee and Sunset Tree. Was never into Costello beyond My Aim Is True, but it sounds like this book may help that.
― sofatruck, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 16:54 (fourteen years ago) link
Tim's proposal to write up Living in the Material World was sadly rejected.― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 16 September 2006 20:41
You know that's my least favorite George Harrison album. (I did not propose a book for this series.)― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Saturday, 16 September 2006 20:42 (3 years ago)
there's a more obvious Harrison LP awaiting a book in this series (and not All Things...). the series might end up rub if they don't consider it (much like Massanet is a humourless bastard for not writing a "Mass In A"...)
― Paul, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 20:18 (fourteen years ago) link
The Wilburys projects would make good books, yes.
― Little starbursts of joy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 23 September 2009 20:29 (fourteen years ago) link
"In my secret fantasy world I'm writing one of these on Secret Treaties."
Jon, I will read this!
― Nate Carson, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 22:09 (fourteen years ago) link
yeah, armed forces book is great
― horseshoe, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 22:11 (fourteen years ago) link
the one that other guy from the mountain goats wrote was also great, actually
― thomp, Wednesday, 23 September 2009 22:35 (fourteen years ago) link
my brian eno 33 1/3 book is out this week! i know it says "pre-order" on amazon, but if you order it this week, i've been told that you'll get it in the mail next week. it'll also be in stores later this week.
― geeta, Monday, 12 October 2009 18:17 (fourteen years ago) link
Awesome. I'm ordering it. Has anyone read the recent Eno bio? Is it worthwhile?
― Alex in SF, Monday, 12 October 2009 18:19 (fourteen years ago) link
yay.
― wot?? (Ioannis), Monday, 12 October 2009 18:22 (fourteen years ago) link
Awesome news! Way to go Geeta! Stoked to read it.
― Neotropical pygmy squirrel, Monday, 12 October 2009 18:32 (fourteen years ago) link
i've never heard that album, maybe now would be a good time
― Ømår Littel (Jordan), Monday, 12 October 2009 18:38 (fourteen years ago) link
I will order this posthaste!
― mo radalj, Monday, 12 October 2009 18:58 (fourteen years ago) link
I enjoyed the Eno bio greatly, lots of great info about his early years, one small criticism would be that it did skirt through the mid/late 80's onwards.
― MaresNest, Monday, 12 October 2009 19:11 (fourteen years ago) link
Although you can read about that in Eric Tamm's book, which is available on the internet. Like here for instance.http://www.pdfhacks.com/eno/skinned_comments/pg_0006.toc.html
― MaresNest, Monday, 12 October 2009 19:15 (fourteen years ago) link
thanks, all!
alex: i never saw you last year, when i lived in SF! i'll be back soon for a visit -- we should hang out then.
― geeta, Monday, 12 October 2009 23:25 (fourteen years ago) link
Definitely. Email me when you are in town.
― Alex in SF, Monday, 12 October 2009 23:28 (fourteen years ago) link
anyone read the Nick Drake one?
― piscesx, Tuesday, 13 October 2009 11:39 (fourteen years ago) link
if you order it this week, i've been told that you'll get it in the mail next week.
― willem, Tuesday, 13 October 2009 18:16 (fourteen years ago) link
willem -- order from amazon.com (amazon US) if you want the book now. feb 2010 sounds wildly wrong, in any case.
the book is out this week in the US. in the UK and europe, it's delayed from the US by six weeks.
― geeta, Tuesday, 13 October 2009 19:47 (fourteen years ago) link
Um, Amazon US still lists it only available as pre-order, and does not give a release date:
http://www.amazon.com/Brian-Enos-Another-Green-World/dp/0826427863/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255463685&sr=8-1
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 13 October 2009 19:55 (fourteen years ago) link
Whoops, release date is 10/15, supposedly, which is ... Thursday? Really?
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 13 October 2009 19:57 (fourteen years ago) link
yes, it's released on thursday, so if you pre-order it now, you'll definitely get it in the mail next week.
― geeta, Tuesday, 13 October 2009 21:04 (fourteen years ago) link
whoops, well i ordered it on the 12th through amazon.co.uk, i'll see it when it comes
yesterday, for the first time, i saw a small segment on the shelves in the local bookstore dedicated to the series! bought master of reality and the vu & n books with some coupons i got. halfway through john's book and it's a good read. (john = gary?)
― willem, Friday, 16 October 2009 14:29 (fourteen years ago) link
J0hn = G.O.A.T.
― wot?? (Ioannis), Friday, 16 October 2009 14:39 (fourteen years ago) link
Still no "Another Green World." Still listed on Amazon as a pre-order.
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 22 October 2009 18:43 (fourteen years ago) link
Yeah, its like a tease at this point.
― & other try hard shitfests (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Thursday, 22 October 2009 19:11 (fourteen years ago) link
Publisher: Continuum (October 22, 2009)
Weird.
― kshighway1, Thursday, 22 October 2009 20:15 (fourteen years ago) link
Are any of these on torrents? I know that is a dick question to ask but i am broke..
― Adam Bruneau, Thursday, 22 October 2009 20:55 (fourteen years ago) link
so are the writers
― Bobby Wo (max), Thursday, 22 October 2009 20:56 (fourteen years ago) link
Especially if they don't take the books of pre-order status!
Seriously though, wanting to download these books? Fuck off with that.
― & other try hard shitfests (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Thursday, 22 October 2009 21:03 (fourteen years ago) link
― Adam Bruneau, Thursday, October 22, 2009 3:55 PM (10 minutes ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
dumbest post ever
― i got nothin (deej), Thursday, 22 October 2009 21:06 (fourteen years ago) link
SB'd
deej, it's ok. it's not like many of the series' authors post to ILX, so they'll never find out anyway.
― kshighway1, Thursday, 22 October 2009 23:54 (fourteen years ago) link
My first bit of promotion: I wrote one about Flaming Lips' Zaireeka & it's supposed to come out next month. Don't settle for the bootleg version.
http://www.amazon.com/Flaming-Lips-Zaireeka-Mark-Richardson/dp/0826429017
― Mark, Friday, 23 October 2009 00:44 (fourteen years ago) link
Not to toot my own horn or anything but:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/sexymollusk/mermandiscobook.jpg
― HOOS Ass Is It Anyway? (latebloomer), Friday, 23 October 2009 04:20 (fourteen years ago) link
they finally caved in :)
― HOOS Ass Is It Anyway? (latebloomer), Friday, 23 October 2009 04:21 (fourteen years ago) link
is that real?!
― piscesx, Friday, 23 October 2009 04:52 (fourteen years ago) link
Should've seen this coming, but currently on Amazon's Zaireeka page:
"Amazon.com Sales Rank: #300,206 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in this category: (What's this?)#13 in Books > History > Africa > Democratic Republic of Congo"
― BleepBot, Monday, 26 October 2009 18:04 (fourteen years ago) link
#13! Thank god for specialty charts, hey?
― I've got some funny ideas about what sounds good (staggerlee), Monday, 26 October 2009 23:27 (fourteen years ago) link
adam, libraries are legal and free!
― jØrdån (omar little), Monday, 26 October 2009 23:41 (fourteen years ago) link
― piscesx, Tuesday, 13 October 2009 11:39 (2 weeks ago)
I have a page in it, proudly. Also, I think Amanda did a gret job w/it.
― "I get through more mojitos.." (bear, bear, bear), Tuesday, 27 October 2009 01:04 (fourteen years ago) link
Sorry Amazon is being slow.
The Strand Bookstore in NYC has the Eno book in stock: http://www.strandbooks.com/app/www/p/profile/?isbn=0826427863
Atomic Books also has my book in stock: http://www.atomicbooks.com/index.php/music-we-like-mostly/outsider-experimental/33-volume-67-brian-eno-green-world.html
Powells should be coming through this week. And hopefully the Amazon situation will get sorted out pronto as well.
And please, don't get the book on torrent! The book only costs around 8 dollars, I lost a lot of money writing it, and I'm a music journalist, so you probably have some idea of my shaky finances!
― geeta, Tuesday, 27 October 2009 18:35 (fourteen years ago) link
dang it, i just ordered it from Amazon UK and they estimate a Feb. 2, 2010 dispatch date. so i guess i'll be reading it next year then. ;-)
― the not-fun one (Ioannis), Tuesday, 27 October 2009 18:53 (fourteen years ago) link
i asked about it when i was at borders and it looked like it had a november release date, weird. i'll get it from amazon or powell's when it's up there.
― Ømår Littel (Jordan), Tuesday, 27 October 2009 18:56 (fourteen years ago) link
A magazine paid me actual $ to publish my rejected 33 1/3 proposal. And it's available for free on my blog. No torrents necessary!
― Nate Carson, Wednesday, 28 October 2009 09:05 (fourteen years ago) link
Link please.
― Kevin John Bozelka, Wednesday, 28 October 2009 09:19 (fourteen years ago) link
And congrats! That's awesome!
― Kevin John Bozelka, Wednesday, 28 October 2009 09:21 (fourteen years ago) link
Email me. I send link.
― Nate Carson, Wednesday, 28 October 2009 09:42 (fourteen years ago) link
Sent you an email via ILX.
― Kevin John Bozelka, Wednesday, 28 October 2009 10:00 (fourteen years ago) link
Ask and ye shall receive.
― Nate Carson, Wednesday, 28 October 2009 10:03 (fourteen years ago) link
also sent.
― the not-fun one (Ioannis), Wednesday, 28 October 2009 10:08 (fourteen years ago) link
a short film about Kevin and John.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g66CI3vS-7c
― Nate Carson, Wednesday, 28 October 2009 10:16 (fourteen years ago) link
a search for album title and your name also works. never heard of the band or read any lovecraft but your description of the music makes me want to find out more. apart from that, i thought that's a terrific proposal and if i were etc... let's say i hope that one day you'll be able to write the book.
― willem, Wednesday, 28 October 2009 10:19 (fourteen years ago) link
Thanks Willem! I felt very passionate about it til I got rejected. Then I thought about ten new projects :)
― Nate Carson, Wednesday, 28 October 2009 10:22 (fourteen years ago) link
hey, you snooze you lose.
― the not-fun one (Ioannis), Wednesday, 28 October 2009 10:22 (fourteen years ago) link
― Nate Carson, Wednesday, 28 October 2009 10:28 (fourteen years ago) link
xxpost I didn't know the album title, though.
???
― Kevin John Bozelka, Wednesday, 28 October 2009 10:30 (fourteen years ago) link
Just a joke because John wrote to me right after you.
― Nate Carson, Wednesday, 28 October 2009 10:33 (fourteen years ago) link
@Geeta (& New Yorkers): GOT IT! thanks for The Strand tip (how appropriate name-wise). it's stacked on a table near (beside/behind) the music section, not on shelves. already enjoying from the Q-ride home - more feedback soon!
― Paul, Thursday, 29 October 2009 16:00 (fourteen years ago) link
Awesome, Paul! I stopped by St. Mark's Bookshop and they had some copies of my Eno book too, in the music section.
― geeta, Thursday, 29 October 2009 16:05 (fourteen years ago) link
just chiming in way late to the party to say that john d's 'master of reality' is fucken awesome
― Nanobots: HOOSTEEND (BIG HOOS aka the steendriver), Thursday, 29 October 2009 16:31 (fourteen years ago) link
The Green World book's not out till January in the UK. Sadface.
― exploding angel vagina (Scik Mouthy), Thursday, 29 October 2009 16:36 (fourteen years ago) link
Looks like Amazon finally has it available for reals, for reals.
― We call them "meat hemorrhoids" (Alex in SF), Friday, 30 October 2009 13:10 (fourteen years ago) link
Yeah, it's about time! As of this morning, Amazon.com officially has the Eno book in stock, with no shipping delays. That certainly took them long enough.
― geeta, Friday, 30 October 2009 20:13 (fourteen years ago) link
Yeah, finally my pre-order is in progress.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 30 October 2009 21:41 (fourteen years ago) link
Awesome. Hope you like it.
Nick -- Amazon UK finally has the Eno 33 1/3 book in stock, as of today. So no waiting til January!
― geeta, Wednesday, 4 November 2009 01:30 (fourteen years ago) link
Geeta, are you going to do any readings and presentations at book stores for it?
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 4 November 2009 03:29 (fourteen years ago) link
I'd love to do some readings at bookstores, but right now I don't have anything on the agenda. If you have any ideas for venues, let me know!
― geeta, Wednesday, 4 November 2009 05:12 (fourteen years ago) link
i'm most of the way through the neutral milk hotel one after seeing all the love for it here. the interviews are interesting, but the writing is, uh, kind of terrible? :/
― emotional radiohead whatever (Jordan), Tuesday, 4 May 2010 17:34 (fourteen years ago) link
bought on the Amazon Kindle store, read a page or less. oops
― ksh, Tuesday, 4 May 2010 17:34 (fourteen years ago) link
i just got whiney's nation of millions of book in the mail this afternoon and i'm about 100 pages in--more impressive considering how much time ive spent going to my ipod to relisten to PE and other golden era rap. the whole things been great but so far the wattstax chapter has been particularly exceptional, i just reserved the dvd at the library here.
after i finish i'll try to post something more concrete, but right now i just wanted to lavish some praise
― killahpriest (/\/K/\/\), Saturday, 22 May 2010 02:20 (thirteen years ago) link
I've read several of these books and on the whole I've been disappointed. One or two (e.g. Bowie's Low) I've just had to stop reading, as they were such dull re-treads of oft-written ideas. But then I keep getting sucked into trying another (they're so short and inexpensive!). I enjoyed Darnielle's Master of Reality.
Anyway, I have Drew Daniel's volume on 20 Jazz Funk Greats and might give it a go -- I somehow doubt Drew will disappoint.
― Duke, Saturday, 22 May 2010 21:16 (thirteen years ago) link
I suppose it's also my fault for buying a book about a much-written-about album such as Low.
― Duke, Saturday, 22 May 2010 21:17 (thirteen years ago) link
These books used to be about albums from the canon (Dusty In Memphis, Pet Sounds, Low) but now it seems they're going wilfully *anti* canon (The Dreaming rather than The Hounds Of Love, Boys for Pele as opposed to Little Earthquakes, Aquemini as opposed to The Love Below/ Speakerboxxx etc). Not that i'm complaining!
― piscesx, Saturday, 22 May 2010 21:33 (thirteen years ago) link
I liked the one about Low.
― iago g., Saturday, 22 May 2010 22:29 (thirteen years ago) link
Aquemini is way more hip-hop canon than Speakerboxxx.
― Mexico, camp, horns, Zappa, Mr. Bungle (Matos W.K.), Saturday, 22 May 2010 22:34 (thirteen years ago) link
yeah i was gonna say
― mr. milquetoast (J0rdan S.), Saturday, 22 May 2010 23:10 (thirteen years ago) link
who's writing the aquemini one
Michael Schmelling
― The Reverend, Saturday, 22 May 2010 23:15 (thirteen years ago) link
oh
― mr. milquetoast (J0rdan S.), Saturday, 22 May 2010 23:17 (thirteen years ago) link
there are definitely disappointing/subpar books in the series but generally i feel like they're mostly worth what little money and time they cost you and are usually at least fun if not great. how I would rank the ones I've read:
Led Zeppelin IV by Erik DavisAja by Don BreithauptUse Your Illusion I and II by Eric WeisbardThe Who Sell Out by John DouganIt Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back by Christopher R. WeingartenElectric Ladyland by John PerrySign O' The Times by Michaelangelo MatosArmed Forces by Franklin BrunoLet's Talk About Love: A Journey To The End Of Taste by Carl WilsonExile On Main Street by Bill JanovitzDouble Nickels On The Dime by Michael T. FournierIn Utero by Gillian G. GaarIllmatic by Matthew GasteierLet It Be by Colin Meloy
― every night i tell myself i am the custos, i am the wind. (some dude), Sunday, 23 May 2010 00:07 (thirteen years ago) link
kinda want to read the colin meloy one out of the most morbid of curiosities
― mr. milquetoast (J0rdan S.), Sunday, 23 May 2010 00:09 (thirteen years ago) link
it's not completely terrible and is at times engaging, but it's about as indulgent and autobiographical as you'd expect from a famous person who's not a professional writer
― every night i tell myself i am the custos, i am the wind. (some dude), Sunday, 23 May 2010 00:11 (thirteen years ago) link
i'd say of the three narrative ones i've read it's pretty far below the Master of Reality and Big Pink ones which i enjoyed a lot (MOR the most though)
― Jamie_ATP, Sunday, 23 May 2010 00:53 (thirteen years ago) link
im looking forward to reading nation of millions. fwiw the reckless in wicker park had like a dozen copies all as like featured-displays -- i bet its selling
― its like why GROCERY BAG and not saddam? (deej), Sunday, 23 May 2010 01:24 (thirteen years ago) link
― every night i tell myself i am the custos, i am the wind. (some dude), Saturday, May 22, 2010 7:11 PM (1 hour ago)
and happens to be the lead singer of The Decemberists
― ksh, Sunday, 23 May 2010 01:28 (thirteen years ago) link
Ten pages into the new book on Pavement's Wowee Zowee I thought for sure I was going to hate it for all the author's navel-gazing about his miserable post-college past, but then the book settled in. With such a ramshackle approach (author's life story, the annoyingly self-referential tale of the process of writing the book, lazy transcripts of interviews), it slowly became rather engaging to the point where I was surprised at how much I wound up learning about the album. In a way, it kind of mirrored my initial reaction to the album back in 1995. Which I suppose might have been the whole intention of this book.
― A. Begrand, Sunday, 23 May 2010 09:49 (thirteen years ago) link
uh yeah ksh that was implied
― every night i tell myself i am the custos, i am the wind. (some dude), Sunday, 23 May 2010 10:16 (thirteen years ago) link
:-)
― ksh, Sunday, 23 May 2010 14:46 (thirteen years ago) link
Is the Skiz Fernando 36 Chambers book ever coming out?
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Sunday, 23 May 2010 15:07 (thirteen years ago) link
Has anyone ever submitted a Roxy Music one for this series?
― iago g., Sunday, 23 May 2010 23:06 (thirteen years ago) link
I will propose Max Tundra's Mastered by Guy at the Exchange in the next 5 years.
― Davek (davek_00), Sunday, 23 May 2010 23:27 (thirteen years ago) link
Just started the Wowee Zowee one--I can't believe it, it's one of those memoir-type ones, and I am LOVING it. It might just be generational nostalgia though, page like 20 and he hasn't even heard the album yet
― iago g., Friday, 28 May 2010 01:59 (thirteen years ago) link
It might just be generational nostalgia though
Yeah, that has to be why I wound up giving it a chance too. I don't want to read a memoir in a 33 1/3 book, but damn, if I didn't find myself relating to it.
― A. Begrand, Friday, 28 May 2010 03:44 (thirteen years ago) link
OK, I just finished the Pavement one--very odd to feel that the memoir-y stuff at the beginning is the best part. no structure to this book. it jumps from the memoir into albeit interesting interviews, then it's over. And hids reading that Flux=Rad is about sex as opposed to holding on to punk like your mother's apron strings (styles come and go but I don't want to let you go-I have always assumed he was doing his Cobain primal scream here) is just bizarre. I liked the book overall because I'll read anything about a band I like, and hell, I couldn't do write one, but these books vary real widelyI guess file this unrequested review under "OK then..."
― iago g., Saturday, 29 May 2010 14:22 (thirteen years ago) link
"his reading", sorry
― iago g., Saturday, 29 May 2010 14:23 (thirteen years ago) link
Loved Weisbard's book. The only one that deeply disappointed me was Dusty in Memphis.
LowSign o' the TimesCourt and SparkUse Your Illusion I and II
― Filmmaker, Author, Radio Host Stephen Baldwin (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 29 May 2010 14:33 (thirteen years ago) link
agreed on all four. i've yet to hear the record dusty in memphis so maybe i'll buy the book and record in tandem.
― iago g., Saturday, 29 May 2010 14:39 (thirteen years ago) link
Yeah the Court and Spark book is great.
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Saturday, 29 May 2010 15:17 (thirteen years ago) link
Zaireeka is good and basic, very much a beginner's guide to the Flaming Lips, and I polished it off in no time. Geeta's I read in advance and of course like. Just began Weingarten's, which is terrific so far (though disco wasn't in its velvet-rope phase yet in 1973; that happened four years later, when Studio 54 opened).
― Mexico, camp, horns, Zappa, Mr. Bungle (Matos W.K.), Saturday, 29 May 2010 18:25 (thirteen years ago) link
anyone have suggestions on which one(s) i should read next based on my list posted a bit upthread? how's the Achtung Baby book?
― Christina NAGLera (some dude), Saturday, 29 May 2010 18:32 (thirteen years ago) link
Master of Reality by John Darnielle (I think my #1)Live at the Apollo by Douglas WolkPaul's Boutique by Dan LeRoy (not sure if you're a Beasties non-fan, but I recommend this even if so; it's really well done and gives great insight to that whole time and place)
― Mexico, camp, horns, Zappa, Mr. Bungle (Matos W.K.), Saturday, 29 May 2010 18:55 (thirteen years ago) link
yeah i'm not huge into the Beasties in general but that one seems worth checking out -- i think Whiney described it as similar to his but in his opinion better
― Christina NAGLera (some dude), Saturday, 29 May 2010 18:56 (thirteen years ago) link
― iago g., Sunday, May 23, 2010 7:06 PM (6 days ago) Bookmark
Pitched Avalon about two years ago, got a response saying "Great idea! Wait till the next open call!" and never followed up.
I have a different one in mind now but I'm uncharacteristically intimidated. I mean, if I'm going to write a book - even a short one - I'd have to do nothing but. No internet, no records, no food. And my life doesn't currently allow me to make that kind of commitment.
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Saturday, 29 May 2010 19:05 (thirteen years ago) link
I just hope whenever they do a Roxy one, that it's not one of the first two albums. I love them, but there has been too much ink spilt about the Eno years. My vote is for one of the next three (unsurprisingly) or Avalon--the latter is a GREAT subject for one of those books, such a deeply weird record
― iago g., Saturday, 29 May 2010 19:13 (thirteen years ago) link
I just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed reading the Nation Of Millions book by Christopher Weingarten of this parish over the last couple of days. It's a great, punchy piece of journalism. The extended comparison of the changing line up of the J.B.s to the progression of various tracks on the album is masterful and he nails the oft suggested but rarely convincingly well explained theory that hip hop can be seen as an Afro American form of folk music (with the recontextualization of samples and raps working in the same way as folk memory) in a few short, crystal clear passages.
I'd also recommend the Matmos guy's book on 24 Jazz Funk Greats. In fact his own theorising is much more illuminating than the actual interview sections.
― Duran (Doran), Sunday, 20 June 2010 16:08 (thirteen years ago) link
Finally got my first few of these. I'm not going to name the ones I don't like, but I really, really love Drew's 20 Jazz Funk Greats book.
― Grisly Addams (WmC), Friday, 16 July 2010 20:40 (thirteen years ago) link
friend loaned me the In the Aeroplane Over the Sea one. it was okay. reading about how Schneider got the distortion on there was probably the most interesting thing, but I imagine I could've found that out from Tape Op or something if I had really cared. was surprised at how little this record actually sold, always seemed to me like it was way more popular than it actually was.
― Major Lolzer (Shakey Mo Collier), Friday, 16 July 2010 20:50 (thirteen years ago) link
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Sunday, May 23, 2010 Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Friday, 16 July 2010 20:53 (thirteen years ago) link
i just read the Big Star Radio City one -- pretty great overall. Nice to have some tech-y info on a lot of this stuff + some pretty good access to all of the bandmembers including Chilton. Even the personal stuff, detailing the author's time playing with Alex, is well done. way fucking better than the bio that came out a little while ago.
― tylerw, Friday, 16 July 2010 20:54 (thirteen years ago) link
so far i've read and enjoyed:
Led Zeppelin IV Let's Talk About Love: A Journey To The End Of TasteSign o' the TimesMaster of RealityAnother Green WorldArmed ForcesABBA GoldEndtroducing
have but need to get to:
Live at the ApolloExile On Main Street LowUse Your Illusion I and IILoveless
― deep purple yoda (Ioannis), Friday, 16 July 2010 22:08 (thirteen years ago) link
Live At The Apollo is the best I've read, keep it top of your list
― oh sh!t a ¯\⎝⏠___⏠⎠/¯ (sic), Saturday, 17 July 2010 05:40 (thirteen years ago) link
Read the Eno book a week or two back - it's great. Hoping to get to the Wire and Big Star books soon.
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Saturday, 17 July 2010 08:01 (thirteen years ago) link
Whiney's was terrific. I've always had in my head a want to get a FREEDOM IS A PATH SELDOM TRAVELLED BY THE MULTITUDE tattoo and now I know the whole story, I want it even more so. Thinking that next payday it will happen. It sucks beyond belief that Wattstax isn't available on dvd over here yet.
― one man meme-denier (a hoy hoy), Saturday, 17 July 2010 10:34 (thirteen years ago) link
are you sure you can't make yr DVD multi region somehow? Wattstax would reward any such efforts grandly
― the crucible of easily debunked e-mail fwds (stevie), Saturday, 17 July 2010 13:18 (thirteen years ago) link
the only one I've read is the Forever Changes one...that was really good!!
― The Uncanny X-Men feat. Jah Wobble & Keith Levene (Drugs A. Money), Saturday, 17 July 2010 19:17 (thirteen years ago) link
have read two of these in the past couple days - the 'another green world' one is fantastic, i recommend. props 2 geeta if she still reads ILX! the bowie 'low' one is ok, something a touch dissatisfying about it that i can't quite put my finger on.
― Bucks Fizz in spoonerism controversy (haitch), Friday, 20 August 2010 09:31 (thirteen years ago) link
Any idea when the next call for submissions will be?
― Christine Green Leafy Dragon Indigo, Friday, 20 August 2010 12:19 (thirteen years ago) link
the last 2 rounds were in early '07 and early '09, so if they're doing it on any kind of steady schedule there might be another in a few months, although I have no idea if that's actually the case.
― richie goingham (some dude), Friday, 20 August 2010 13:33 (thirteen years ago) link
Have read three over the last week, including Whiney's "Nation Of Millions" one, which was excellent and really made me want to school myself better in all its sources and antecedents. Even though I grew up through the ascendance of hip-hop, my daily life, and my access to non-chart music, was so constrained that outside of "Rapper's Delight," Run-DMC's "Walk This Way" and the Beasties, it all pretty much passed me by. Currently reading Franklin Bruno's "Armed Forces."
― Shock and Awe High School (Phil D.), Monday, 30 August 2010 19:27 (thirteen years ago) link
thanks Phil!
― hold me, thrill me, kiss me, lil b (Whiney G. Weingarten), Monday, 30 August 2010 19:28 (thirteen years ago) link
and Sam P and Doran... wow!
― hold me, thrill me, kiss me, lil b (Whiney G. Weingarten), Monday, 30 August 2010 19:29 (thirteen years ago) link
Did the Tori one threatened/promised many years ago ever surface?
― piscesx, Monday, 30 August 2010 20:05 (thirteen years ago) link
if Marooned was ILX the book, 33 1/3 is at least in part ILX the book series
cant wait for cankles's take on Big Star
― markers, Monday, 30 August 2010 20:29 (thirteen years ago) link
more accurately, ILX's book & ILX's book series
― markers, Monday, 30 August 2010 20:30 (thirteen years ago) link
I'd not read any of these before today, but I bought Dan Kois' book about Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's Facing Future. I got it mostly because it was the first book in the series where I know/knew absolutely nothing about the artist or album. Pretty interesting so far. Hope to finish it tonight/tomorrow.
― john. a resident of chicago., Wednesday, 1 September 2010 03:11 (thirteen years ago) link
eno book was okay, felt a little dry, like it was walking the perimeter of the album. but i dunno what i was expecting.
― LAMBDA LAMBDA LANDA (Beatrix Kiddo), Wednesday, 1 September 2010 15:37 (thirteen years ago) link
Throbbing Gristle one is my favorite.
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 1 September 2010 15:45 (thirteen years ago) link
i was a little disappointed by the book on "another green world" too. it only seemed to scratch on the surface or something. i mean it is such a rich album and a booklet with hundred small pages cannot do it justice. what was missing too was the personal touch. if you write a book about an album you need to have a story of your own listening experience with it. otherwise it is rather pointless, i think.
― alex in mainhattan, Wednesday, 1 September 2010 21:20 (thirteen years ago) link
whiney i havent read yours but i'm looking forward to the time where i can put on the album sit down and chill w it
― real s1ock (s1ocki), Wednesday, 1 September 2010 21:31 (thirteen years ago) link
― miccio kurihara (Whiney G. Weingarten), Wednesday, 1 September 2010 21:38 (thirteen years ago) link
whiney i would enjoy having an in-depth nerd-out about the original recording of 'funky drummer' sometime
― the parking garage has more facebook followers than my band (Jordan), Wednesday, 1 September 2010 21:40 (thirteen years ago) link
In stock!
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Friday, 5 November 2010 20:04 (thirteen years ago) link
The world is yours.
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 5 November 2010 20:05 (thirteen years ago) link
ha! seeing all the responses to my eno book on this thread now...i should read ILX more.
i met eno in person recently, and was gratified to learn that he had read the book (and loved it!) i wrote about the experience here:
http://www.theoriginalsoundtrack.com/2010/11/meeting-brian-eno/
― geeta, Tuesday, 23 November 2010 23:33 (thirteen years ago) link
Whoa!
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 23 November 2010 23:36 (thirteen years ago) link
omg fantastic, looking forward to reading that entry later tonight
― markers, Tuesday, 23 November 2010 23:40 (thirteen years ago) link
Congratulations Geeta. That's amazing. What a great note.
― The baby boomers have defined everything once and for all (Dorianlynskey), Tuesday, 23 November 2010 23:46 (thirteen years ago) link
aw that's great. i recall reading somewhere recently that eno was giving copies of yr book to any friend who'd accept it, anyone remember where that was?
― Antoine Bugleboy (Merdeyeux), Tuesday, 23 November 2010 23:47 (thirteen years ago) link
read the NMH one, it's a great insight to the recording of the music and a lot more, rather than just somebody talking about how much they love it.
― jumpskins, Tuesday, 23 November 2010 23:52 (thirteen years ago) link
Rites of Spring - 'I poised,bottled it, keeled over, and had a massive panic attack. And survived.'
― Fer Jessie the Drunk Dutch Mountain Ark (Mobbed Up Ping Pong Psychos), Tuesday, 23 November 2010 23:52 (thirteen years ago) link
i recall reading somewhere recently that eno was giving copies of yr book to any friend who'd accept it, anyone remember where that was?
I guess he only has four friends?
― i'm assuming that it's tity boi, host of the mixtape (sic), Wednesday, 24 November 2010 00:01 (thirteen years ago) link
bono, the edge, adam clayton, larry mullen jr
― balls, Wednesday, 24 November 2010 00:34 (thirteen years ago) link
This makes sense as Chris Martin probably only THINKS he's Eno's friend.
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 24 November 2010 00:58 (thirteen years ago) link
loooool xp almost shot gin out my nose
― in a merzbow world, how is kanye ambitious?? (ilxor), Wednesday, 24 November 2010 05:46 (thirteen years ago) link
man that story's so good! what a great dude
― just sayin, Wednesday, 24 November 2010 10:36 (thirteen years ago) link
and geeta i wish i'd seen you speak at the frieze art fair, i only found out abt it when i got to the fair on the saturday (too late)
― just sayin, Wednesday, 24 November 2010 10:38 (thirteen years ago) link
That is amazing Geeta.
I read the Illmatic one and it gave me a whole new perspective on it; never knew his brother was shot just before it was made and the impact that had on it.
― wheezy f baby (a hoy hoy), Wednesday, 24 November 2010 10:44 (thirteen years ago) link
Fabulous Geeta, well done all round!
― Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 24 November 2010 12:25 (thirteen years ago) link
Geeta's book just arrived from Amazon, along with the Armed Forces and Facing Future ones. I think I've read a dozen of these now and not had a dud yet.
― The baby boomers have defined everything once and for all (Dorianlynskey), Wednesday, 24 November 2010 12:41 (thirteen years ago) link
Recently finished the Eno book, Geeta, and absolutely loved it. Learned a lot about his creative process that I found fascinating.
― Jazzbo, Wednesday, 24 November 2010 14:59 (thirteen years ago) link
Have Eno book ordered. Just finished 75 and 76 this afternoon... Spiderland and Kid A, in which Continuum neatly book end left field indie rock in the 1990s.
Most fascinating thing: finding out that Will Oldham was briefly a roadie for Glenn Danzig and Samhain and had a Misfits style Devil lock haircut when he was 15.
― Carl Jung Jeezy (Doran), Monday, 29 November 2010 17:05 (thirteen years ago) link
Looking for a Van Dyke Parks jpeg, I came across this blog entry about sales to date. Interesting that even Carl Wilson's Celine Dion book is outsold by the Neutral Milk Hotel one. It's a shame to see generally that boring books about obvious big rock albums (OK Computer) outsell brilliant ones about more specialist (or, well, black) records (Live at the Apollo, Sign O' the Times, Riot Goin' On) but not that surprising. Geeta's is doing amazingly well.
http://33third.blogspot.com/2010/10/league-table-october-2010.html
― The baby boomers have defined everything once and for all (Dorianlynskey), Saturday, 4 December 2010 19:14 (thirteen years ago) link
the OK Computer one was, I thought, pretty bad, and it would be a shame if people had their minds shaped on the whole series by reading it first.
― Antoine Bugleboy (Merdeyeux), Saturday, 4 December 2010 19:25 (thirteen years ago) link
the celine dion one is the only one of these i've really enjoyed
― jabba hands, Saturday, 4 December 2010 19:33 (thirteen years ago) link
The NMH book is #29 in the series, Celine is #52 - how many years apart were they published? The fact that Carl's is up to #2 is pretty impressive. He's sold more books in a shorter amount of time.
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Saturday, 4 December 2010 20:01 (thirteen years ago) link
imo it doesn't really matter which books in the series are selling most as long as they are selling and making the whole enterprise possible
― some dude, Saturday, 4 December 2010 20:26 (thirteen years ago) link
WAIT they actually finally did a Spiderland one?!?
― CCH Peniston (Stevie D(eux)), Saturday, 4 December 2010 22:08 (thirteen years ago) link
Yup.
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 4 December 2010 22:09 (thirteen years ago) link
It also looks like it is my favorite type of 33 1/3 book where the author does tons of research and documents all this behind-the-scenes stuff about the making of the album (vs. "This album means a lot to me because...")
― CCH Peniston (Stevie D(eux)), Saturday, 4 December 2010 22:11 (thirteen years ago) link
I hear it's one of the best of the series. I mean, that's what I hear. I have no other insight whatsoever into its quality.
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Saturday, 4 December 2010 22:36 (thirteen years ago) link
looooool!
― markers, Saturday, 4 December 2010 22:38 (thirteen years ago) link
looking forward to reading it dude
let' see now: here's a series of books purporting to deal with the predominantly American--or at the very least American influenced--popular music of the past fifty years or so. okay. music that is/has been overwhelmingly based, inspired, influenced, or just outright ripped off from the work of (mostly) black Americans, right? and out of the mere eight of these (from 74 in total!) specifically dealing with actual black artists, only one (Jimi, duh!) rises (somewhat) above the bottom half of the sales list? what is wrong with u/me/us, people?
― hipity-hopity muzik ftw! (Ioannis), Sunday, 5 December 2010 10:25 (thirteen years ago) link
the James Brown one is the best one I've read
― i'm assuming that it's tity boi, host of the mixtape (sic), Sunday, 5 December 2010 11:56 (thirteen years ago) link
Same here. Beautifully structured. By comparison, the sub-Greil Marcus choppiness of Armed Forces is currently driving me around the bend.
― The baby boomers have defined everything once and for all (Dorianlynskey), Sunday, 5 December 2010 18:11 (thirteen years ago) link
They're not easy to find cheap, which I guess speaks well of the series' sales as a whole. I wish somebody had an "any 20 for $100" sale.
― pixel farmer, Sunday, 5 December 2010 18:14 (thirteen years ago) link
only read the céline dion one. do any of the others have an unusual angle/approach to their subject or are they mostly more straightforward? there are only a tiny handful i can see that i'm interested in.
― lex lex lex lex lex on the track BOW (lex pretend), Sunday, 5 December 2010 18:17 (thirteen years ago) link
(are the pj harvey, nas and joni mitchell ones good?)
i see someone pitched one on kid a this year. MMM HOW IMAGINATIVE. if i was pitching one, i'd feel it was incumbent on me to at least go for something not completely entrenched in the canon.
― lex lex lex lex lex on the track BOW (lex pretend), Sunday, 5 December 2010 18:18 (thirteen years ago) link
― The baby boomers have defined everything once and for all (Dorianlynskey), Sunday, December 5, 2010 1:11 PM (24 minutes ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
it would be one of the best books in the series if the author hadn't committed to the goofy alphabetical organization and had just laid it out in a more natural, intuitive way.
― It's Long Like Donkey Dong (some dude), Sunday, 5 December 2010 18:40 (thirteen years ago) link
do any of the others have an unusual angle/approach to their subject?Most of them do. Or at least, the four or five I've read all take completely different approaches.
― Jeff W, Sunday, 5 December 2010 18:45 (thirteen years ago) link
Court and Spark is one of my favorites in the series: he understands the music even when I disagree with his insights (especially when he dismisses the post-CAS records).
― look at it, pwn3d, made u look at my peen/vadge (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 5 December 2010 18:46 (thirteen years ago) link
― lex lex lex lex lex on the track BOW (lex pretend), Sunday, December 5, 2010 1:17 PM (1 hour ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
the Illmatic one isn't bad per se, but it's the kind of thing that virtually any fan of the album could have written, and a lot of them could have written it better.
― It's Long Like Donkey Dong (some dude), Sunday, 5 December 2010 19:23 (thirteen years ago) link
Check out Master of Reality and 20 Jazz Funk Greats, even if you don't like the music. Master is basically a novella and Jazz is like the coolest, best written avant-PHD thesis.
― Davek (davek_00), Sunday, 5 December 2010 19:29 (thirteen years ago) link
i've said it before and i'll say it again, but the 'there's a riot goin on' book is just marvellous, a fantastic read.
― Babylon and zing (stevie), Sunday, 5 December 2010 19:31 (thirteen years ago) link
i see someone pitched one on kid a this year. MMM HOW IMAGINATIVE.
*cough*
I agree with your 'not completely entrenched' idea, I also think it would have been much harder to pitch and have accepted. Not impossible, by any means.
― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 5 December 2010 20:23 (thirteen years ago) link
― It's Long Like Donkey Dong (some dude), Sunday, December 5, 2010 12:23 PM (1 hour ago) Bookmark
This. It told me nothing that I didn't know prior to reading it. Still, it's not bad or anything.
― altered boners (rennavate), Sunday, 5 December 2010 21:14 (thirteen years ago) link
do any of the others have an unusual angle/approach to their subject or are they mostly more straightforward?
as davek says, the Master Of Reality one is excellent, and neither requires nor imparts any especial knowledge of the band or album
― i'm assuming that it's tity boi, host of the mixtape (sic), Sunday, 5 December 2010 23:23 (thirteen years ago) link
raheem morris opts not to go for it on 4th and a foot on the falcons 40 even though blount's been killing it. thanks bro.
― Moreno, Sunday, 5 December 2010 23:30 (thirteen years ago) link
shit, wrong thread.
Anyone in LA... I'm having a little celebration at the Mandrake Bar in Culver City tonight for my 33 1/3 book on Spiderland. 7-10 pm. More info here.
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Thursday, 9 December 2010 21:22 (thirteen years ago) link
is Let It Be the only Beatles album to get the 33 1/3 treatment? odd choice
― "Information by surprise" is even legal in Sweden (Shakey Mo Collier), Thursday, 9 December 2010 21:24 (thirteen years ago) link
x-post
Funny stuff re the Spiderland book release:
The best part is there will be a bunch of bloggers there so even if you're not online, you can still argue about whether the mediocre Arcade Fire album or the hit-and-miss Deerhunter album or the consistently good but rarely awesome LCD Soundsystem album are the best of the year. You don't have to live in two worlds!
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 9 December 2010 21:31 (thirteen years ago) link
Lex: the PJ Harvey one is a collection of clit lit short stories based on the song titles. I've got nothing against this in theory but I found this out while desperately looking for books on PJH to read before an interview with her that got dropped in my lap with little warning. If you're the sort of person who just wants the facts or some theorizing about the album, then I guess it will unavoidably make you quite angry.
― Carl Jung Jeezy (Doran), Thursday, 9 December 2010 22:34 (thirteen years ago) link
I would have pitched Metal Machine Music just because I've got a lot of raw interview material that I could use. (If that's what MMM is.)
― Carl Jung Jeezy (Doran), Thursday, 9 December 2010 22:35 (thirteen years ago) link
Lex, interested to hear what you thought of the Celine Dion one...?
― Neil S, Thursday, 9 December 2010 22:38 (thirteen years ago) link
clit lit?
― Stop Non-Erotic Cabaret (Abbbottt), Friday, 10 December 2010 02:11 (thirteen years ago) link
It and the Replacements album are back-to-back numbers, har har.
― slow a cat sample down 800 percent (Matos W.K.), Friday, 10 December 2010 06:49 (thirteen years ago) link
― piscesx, Monday, 30 August 2010
Anyone?
― piscesx, Friday, 10 December 2010 07:08 (thirteen years ago) link
"clit lit?" That was bored trolling tbh.
But it's a collection of stories that appear to be about female protagonists with eating disorders, sexual dysfunction, mental health problems, self-harm etc. Like I said, I've got nothing against it, just not what I was after. I managed two of the stories. Didn't make much of an impression one way or the other. I'd imagine that Continuum don't have the luxury of commissioning books like this any more.
― Carl Jung Jeezy (Doran), Friday, 10 December 2010 19:23 (thirteen years ago) link
What doesn't help the Rid of Me book is that it's terribly written.
― Brad Nelson (BradNelson), Saturday, 11 December 2010 19:56 (thirteen years ago) link
Also, of the 33 1/3 books I've read, the ranking would go something like this:
1. Master of Reality1. Let's Talk About Love3. 20 Jazz Funk Greats...(some great distance)...blah. Swordfishtrombonesugh. Rid of Meeh. Loveless
― Brad Nelson (BradNelson), Saturday, 11 December 2010 19:59 (thirteen years ago) link
Oh, literally just bought the Loveless book.
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Saturday, 11 December 2010 21:17 (thirteen years ago) link
Interesting that even Carl Wilson's Celine Dion book is outsold by the Neutral Milk Hotel one.
Why is this in any way surprising?
― Zsa Zsa Gay Bar (jaymc), Saturday, 11 December 2010 23:45 (thirteen years ago) link
the Wilson book has probably had the most press of any book in the series, the author interviewed on the Colbert report, etc. but yeah i wouldn't say it's exactly surprising that more people are buying a book about an album they actually like instead of an intellectual exercise about something they probably don't.
― some dude, Saturday, 11 December 2010 23:49 (thirteen years ago) link
more people are buying a book about an album they actually like instead of an intellectual exercise about something they probably don't.
otm
― hubertus bigend (m coleman), Sunday, 12 December 2010 12:39 (thirteen years ago) link
yeah. i mean, is that even a surprise?
― Babylon and zing (stevie), Sunday, 12 December 2010 13:33 (thirteen years ago) link
i liked it - a lot of his thoughts on taste i found rather obvious, but he articulated them really well; and i found a lot of the cultural background stuff (on québec, on the origins of schmaltz) really interesting. the chapter where he talked to her fans was prob the highlight - wish there'd been more of that.
do interviews w/the artist (or their producers, co-writers, engineers, record label staff etc) tend to be part of these books or are they verboten? would've loved to read about a carl wilson/céline dion interview.
― lex lex lex lex lex on the track BOW (lex pretend), Sunday, 12 December 2010 13:37 (thirteen years ago) link
i'd be interested to know whether the dion book actually convinced any prejudiced music fan who didn't think she was worth taking seriously
― lex lex lex lex lex on the track BOW (lex pretend), Sunday, 12 December 2010 13:38 (thirteen years ago) link
i say that because the book seemed to be a culmination of a lot of music crit thought about stuff like that, about why the auto-dismissal of certain artists and genres that had been traditional and endemic in criticism was actually wrong. and in the years since it was published, music crit seems to have defaulted to that exact position again, stronger than ever.
― lex lex lex lex lex on the track BOW (lex pretend), Sunday, 12 December 2010 13:40 (thirteen years ago) link
I've found something rewarding in every book except Dusty in Memphis.
― Gus Van Sotosyn (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 12 December 2010 14:05 (thirteen years ago) link
*every book I've read
just read *Another Green World* and *Forever Changes* back to back, and man reading such wildly different books/albums/authorial voices in sequence is giving me whiplash- Geeta is poised and calm and Hultkrans is feverish, but I think each book nicely models what Dave Hickey called the "air guitar" of criticism- the critic more or less consciously strives to re-enact the moves that produced the art by reverse engineering the effects that certain art/lyric/production details had on him/her as they listen- so there's a weird mirroring between artist and critic going on which is inherently a gamble- because such effects might be personal to the listener and unrelated to artistic intentions. But however much both Eno and Arthur Lee arrive on the page already are endowed with auteur-status and control freak reputations that precede these books, both books admit that their artistic intentions might be headed in one direction while the actual outcomes of what made it onto the record might cash out differently because of contingencies that are built into the group nature of the recordings themselves, or the private contingencies of the listener's reception, or (more likely) some messy mix of both. It's so hard to celebrate something without overstating the imagined control of its creator over its every detail.
― the tune is space, Sunday, 12 December 2010 14:20 (thirteen years ago) link
ugh bad grammar fast posting sorry
thats okay, but i might have to read that post, like, three times. but i have only had one cup of coffee so far. i'll go get another one.
― scott seward, Sunday, 12 December 2010 14:22 (thirteen years ago) link
i had trouble reading that air guitar book too!
― scott seward, Sunday, 12 December 2010 14:27 (thirteen years ago) link
okay, i think i got it now.
― scott seward, Sunday, 12 December 2010 14:30 (thirteen years ago) link
sorry, my jetlag is causing (unusually) tangled, pretentious writing
― the tune is space, Sunday, 12 December 2010 14:30 (thirteen years ago) link
hot air guitar is more like it
― hubertus bigend (m coleman), Sunday, 12 December 2010 14:32 (thirteen years ago) link
ha ha "hot air guitar"= i am busted
no doubt people could balk at calling Eno an auteur but i think it still fits- I mean Eno's use of "oblique strategies" seems all about destroying the idea of personal, subjective auteur-ism in favor of some kind of distributed and non-subjective process approach, but he's got such a singular production fingerprint that even his supposedly self-less work sounds like him really clearly
the Love outtakes where Arthur Lee is making his guitarist go over a complicated pattern over and over til he gets it right are pretty direct evidence of his control freak grip on the recording process
but both books also wanna talk about "scenius" (in the case of Eno) or broadly shared public moments of revolutionary political feeling (in the case of Love/Lee) and not just bottleneck the whole thing through celebrations of an individual creative genius
so that figure/ground tension seems to be going on in even in two books which are really, really different from each other at the level of tone and sound and stuff
― the tune is space, Sunday, 12 December 2010 14:36 (thirteen years ago) link
i am buying john d./drew/geeta books for myself for xmas. i am lame for not getting them before now. i've wanted to read them since i heard of them. sorry, guys!
― scott seward, Sunday, 12 December 2010 14:41 (thirteen years ago) link
― lex lex lex lex lex on the track BOW (lex pretend), Sunday, December 12, 2010 8:37 AM (53 minutes ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
i've read about a dozen books in the series, and out of those only 3 or 4 had interviews with anyone involved in the making of the album. of course, sometimes the artist is deceased, or so famous that they're not necessarily accessible to the author, and sometimes their approach is kind of more about their reaction to the album and they might not want the artist involved, although it's definitely not 'verboten' in general.
― some dude, Sunday, 12 December 2010 14:42 (thirteen years ago) link
but yeah a Celine interview totally would've been a better climax for that book than "and now I'm going to actually listen to the album and talk about the songs besides the one from Titanic."
xxxpost My surprise at NMH outselling Carl Wilson comes from how much coverage the latter got outside of music-geek circles - the James Franco plug being an extreme example - but I clearly underestimated the cult of In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.
xpost I thought the Loveless one was fine if you just want lots of back story and insight from Shields. Obviously the s(t)olid ones get overshadowed by Masters of Reality, 20 Jazz Funk Greats, etc but there's a place for books which just give you the facts in a likeable, readable way, which brings us back to the NMH book. Often I buy these for work-related research so maybe I'm more sympathetic to straightforward narratives than if I was buying them for dazzling prose and leftfield strategies.
― The baby boomers have defined everything once and for all (Dorianlynskey), Sunday, 12 December 2010 20:39 (thirteen years ago) link
my Bieber book is coming out next year
― a cuter kind of annoying (latebloomer), Sunday, 12 December 2010 21:31 (thirteen years ago) link
now i gotta listen to the little fucker
― a cuter kind of annoying (latebloomer), Sunday, 12 December 2010 21:45 (thirteen years ago) link
the book might be better if you didn't - keep it conceptual, yo
― the tune is space, Sunday, 12 December 2010 21:50 (thirteen years ago) link
I'm psyched for the Tusk one--I work with Rob Trucks' wife and he is a super nice guy
― Iago Galdston, Sunday, 12 December 2010 21:56 (thirteen years ago) link
I thought the Loveless one was fine if you just want lots of back story and insight from Shields. Obviously the s(t)olid ones get overshadowed by Masters of Reality, 20 Jazz Funk Greats, etc but there's a place for books which just give you the facts in a likeable, readable way
Well, that's exactly why I bought the Loveless book, so perhaps I'll be quite satisfied by it. And obviously I agree with your latter point since that's just the kind of book I wrote for Spiderland!
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Sunday, 12 December 2010 23:02 (thirteen years ago) link
as a louisvillian who was once accused of being a "slint-worshipper" by crustypunks, i can't wait to read the Spiderland one, so thanks for writing it!
― the tune is space, Sunday, 12 December 2010 23:11 (thirteen years ago) link
thanks! hope you like it.
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Monday, 13 December 2010 00:25 (thirteen years ago) link
as a louisvillian
And I'm all "What did LJ ever do to you?"
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 13 December 2010 03:12 (thirteen years ago) link
as a louis-villain
― the tune is space, Monday, 13 December 2010 09:53 (thirteen years ago) link
Sort of? I'm old-ish; fairly rockist but open minded; need to have my hand held with a lot of cultural critical thinking... and I found a lot of it really interesting and eye-opening (and, most importantly, never condescending to anyone on any side of his arguments).
Or are you wondering if haters read the book and then, like, bought the album and now embrace and blast it?
― She Got the Shakes, Monday, 13 December 2010 11:38 (thirteen years ago) link
Whiney you are ridic
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad184/sdolnack/f6fa2dd6.jpg
― cowboy bibimbap (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 22 December 2010 06:30 (thirteen years ago) link
― enfuque (Matt P), Wednesday, 22 December 2010 06:32 (thirteen years ago) link
lmfao
― mmmm... yung hummus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Wednesday, 22 December 2010 06:41 (thirteen years ago) link
Rly loving the <3 dotted "i"
― cowboy bibimbap (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 22 December 2010 07:34 (thirteen years ago) link
<3bbbottt
― mmmm... yung hummus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Wednesday, 22 December 2010 07:45 (thirteen years ago) link
You've got the same handwriting as my crazy ex-gf.
― Carl Jung Jeezy (Doran), Wednesday, 22 December 2010 11:19 (thirteen years ago) link
omg i want one of those
― i genuinely thought when i first joined that he was the admin (ilxor), Wednesday, 22 December 2010 15:24 (thirteen years ago) link
Well they make great stocking stuffers and are available on Amazon now!
― mmmm... yung hummus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Wednesday, 22 December 2010 15:39 (thirteen years ago) link
yes, but signed w/ whiney dotted-i hearts?
― i genuinely thought when i first joined that he was the admin (ilxor), Wednesday, 22 December 2010 15:46 (thirteen years ago) link
Hate to spoil the lolz, but that is not whiney's handwriting(!)
― mmmm... yung hummus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Wednesday, 22 December 2010 15:48 (thirteen years ago) link
omg you fraud
― i genuinely thought when i first joined that he was the admin (ilxor), Wednesday, 22 December 2010 15:50 (thirteen years ago) link
Phew, glad I was able to cancel my Amazon order in time!
― one pretty obvious guy in the obvious (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Wednesday, 22 December 2010 15:51 (thirteen years ago) link
― mmmm... yung hummus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Wednesday, December 22, 2010 10:48 AM (4 minutes ago) Bookmark
i'm just going to continue to believe that it is
― call all destroyer, Wednesday, 22 December 2010 15:53 (thirteen years ago) link
Oh God... why is she pretending to be an American rock critic...
― Carl Jung Jeezy (Doran), Wednesday, 22 December 2010 15:57 (thirteen years ago) link
can I just
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad184/sdolnack/efab5013.jpg
― cathy opie & anthony (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 4 January 2011 03:58 (thirteen years ago) link
no puppy no crumblability
― predeep natsvitika (forksclovetofu), Tuesday, 4 January 2011 03:59 (thirteen years ago) link
got a couple 33 1/3s for xmas, just finished the Radio City one, which is really good and gives a much more direct and detailed look at Big Star than most stuff written about the band, but it's also easily the most sloppily edited book in the series I've ever seen, just a really disconcerting number of sentences that are missing a word or a clause and barely make sense.
― hann am0n tana (some dude), Tuesday, 4 January 2011 04:06 (thirteen years ago) link
scott, your book is great! you did an outstanding job. especially your descriptions of the actual music. i'll be honest, these are usually the parts of music books - the detailed descriptions of songs - that make me zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz unless a writer is really good at it. and you are really good at it. congrats on the whole thing! write more books for me to read.
― scott seward, Monday, 28 February 2011 20:25 (thirteen years ago) link
and i feel like a big jerk for not reading more of these. no excuse. haven't read geeta's or drew's yet!? that's just so wrong. i am going online to get them.
― scott seward, Monday, 28 February 2011 20:27 (thirteen years ago) link
am reading the Born In The U.S.A. book at the moment and really diggin it
― some dude, Monday, 28 February 2011 20:48 (thirteen years ago) link
thanks man, I appreciate it. Definitely working on another book though I'm at the earliest possible stage in the process - the basic idea and list of what the content will be. All that's left is me writing 50-75k words.
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Monday, 28 February 2011 22:09 (thirteen years ago) link
out of curiosity, what is the avg wordcount of the 33 1/3 books?
― some dude, Monday, 28 February 2011 22:10 (thirteen years ago) link
Something like 35-40k I think? Mine was right in that window. I'll never forget printing the whole manuscript when I was done and saying to myself "I spent a year and half on this and this is all I wrote??"
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Monday, 28 February 2011 22:13 (thirteen years ago) link
i just picked up yr book this weekend scott! about 50 pgs in and you've already shed so much light on the band.
― call all destroyer, Monday, 28 February 2011 23:18 (thirteen years ago) link
thanks!
I met David Grubbs at EMP this weekend, as well as Clark Johnson's wife Diane, who was on a panel with Carl Wilson among others. Total trip - glad to note that David liked it, though he said it was (obviously) a strange experience to read about his teenage years.
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Monday, 28 February 2011 23:39 (thirteen years ago) link
it was nice to meet david. for some reason i refrained from mentioning my mad teen squirrel bait love.
― scott seward, Monday, 28 February 2011 23:45 (thirteen years ago) link
I missed my opportunity to talk to him as if I were singing a Gastr del Sol song the whole time.
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Monday, 28 February 2011 23:47 (thirteen years ago) link
man im dying for one on hounds of love
― kelpolaris, Tuesday, 1 March 2011 17:54 (thirteen years ago) link
Mark Richardon's book on the album Zaireeke by The Flaming Lips gives you a really detailed explanation of the album, the history of the band, and reader's thoughts and opinions of the album and how he personally ties in to the music. I recommend.
― kanggene, Thursday, 3 March 2011 10:42 (thirteen years ago) link
my mate was telling me last night about an anecdote in the bowie book where "David Bowie is sat in a studio with tape spool all around him listening to the same beat for 3 minutes then going '..aaand STOP', with a fully-formed song in his head by the end." what song was this?
― NI, Sunday, 6 March 2011 22:59 (thirteen years ago) link
also are any of these available for the kindle?
my mate was telling me last night about an anecdote in the bowie book where "David Bowie is sat in a studio with tape spool all around him listening to the same beat for 3 minutes then going '..aaand STOP', with a fully-formed song in his head by the end." what song was this? --NI
It was either Warzsawa or Art Decade, I believe.
And yes, they're on Kindle.
― Naive Teen Idol, Monday, 7 March 2011 00:21 (thirteen years ago) link
I went to the library to get that 33.3 on Low, but wound up walking out with Bowie In Berlin, a really sweet string of moments that begins with Bowie freaking out on Cameron Crowe in L.A. while eating peppers, milk and cocaine (literally checking the closed blinds for any signs of Jimmy Page, who Bowie thought had cursed him) to a more assured Bowie years later, wrapping up Lodger and moving with "Ashes to Ashes".
In between, Iggy Pop serves as a wingman, Bowie rides around in a hovercraft, Marc Bolan and Bing Crosby are both struck dead mere weeks after performing with Bowie and Bowie sees two familiar figures out kissing by the Berlin Wall.
Still haven't read the Low book, but I would definitely recommend this other one as well.
― Pleasant Plains, Monday, 7 March 2011 00:51 (thirteen years ago) link
Ha, actually just got back from the library today with a couple 33 1/3 books as well.
Got Vol. 1 & 2 of the Greatest Hits, which I actually thought would be a collection of the stories behind individual songs than just excerpts from already published books. Kinda dumb of me considering 33 1/3 is very focused on ~the album~. It's still fun to read, if not like just an extended brochure they expect you to pay for ($23 a copy!), and esp. considering it basically serves as sort of another "essential albums guide", with mini-stories on each.
― Crouching Seward, Hidden Raggett (kelpolaris), Monday, 7 March 2011 00:55 (thirteen years ago) link
which album did you write about pgwp?
― Samuel (a hoy hoy), Monday, 7 March 2011 01:13 (thirteen years ago) link
Spiderland.
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Monday, 7 March 2011 03:19 (thirteen years ago) link
Thanks for the kind words re Zaireeka, kanggene.
― Mark, Monday, 7 March 2011 03:56 (thirteen years ago) link
Would love to read a 33&1/3 book on "The Glow, Pt. 2" by the Microphones. Enjoyed most of the one's I've read already.
― musicfanatic, Sunday, 13 March 2011 00:54 (thirteen years ago) link
It's Mass Production, from The Idiot.
― Zelda Zonk, Sunday, 13 March 2011 10:22 (thirteen years ago) link
I flipped through Bowie in Berlin at the store last year. It looked well worth my time.
― Rich Lolwry (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 13 March 2011 13:10 (thirteen years ago) link
picked up the newly released Tusk yesterday and just finished reading Geeta's eno book for the second time. That was a great read!
― KC & the sunshine banned (outdoor_miner), Sunday, 13 March 2011 16:06 (thirteen years ago) link
I didn't know there was a tusk book coming out! Just ordered it
― just sayin, Sunday, 13 March 2011 18:07 (thirteen years ago) link
Tusk!!?
Add To Cart
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Sunday, 13 March 2011 18:15 (thirteen years ago) link
Ugh, on second thought...
Here, Rob Trucks talks to Lindsey Buckingham, as well as members of Animal Collective, Camper Van Beethoven, the New Pornographers, Wolf Parade, the Fleetwood Mac tribute band Tusk
wtf Wolf Parade really?
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Sunday, 13 March 2011 18:18 (thirteen years ago) link
wasnt really into the tusk book :(
― just sayin, Thursday, 17 March 2011 09:40 (thirteen years ago) link
yeah, not sure i am either, midway through. was a impulse buy
― Marquis de Sade (outdoor_miner), Thursday, 17 March 2011 13:08 (thirteen years ago) link
That sucks. What's wrong with it?
― Rich Lolwry (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 17 March 2011 13:10 (thirteen years ago) link
they should do a Songs For Drella one.
― piscesx, Thursday, 17 March 2011 13:13 (thirteen years ago) link
xpost the author talks abt himself + his life in the third person throughout, which i found annoying. he explains abt this in the intro (which you can read here - http://cipg.codemantra.us/UI_TRANSACTIONS/Marketing/UI_Marketing.aspx?ID=WP9780826429025&ISBN=9780826429025&sts=b) and once i read that i sort of realised that this book probably wouldnt be for me
― just sayin, Thursday, 17 March 2011 13:17 (thirteen years ago) link
also theres quite a few interviews w/ different musicians but quite a few of them didnt even seem to love tusk that much?
― just sayin, Thursday, 17 March 2011 13:18 (thirteen years ago) link
yeah, the interview w/Jonathon Segel didn't really mention tusk much, was more about cvb. and otherwise the book just hasn't been insightful *at all* like the good ones in this series that i've read
― Marquis de Sade (outdoor_miner), Thursday, 17 March 2011 13:40 (thirteen years ago) link
Just got Daphne Carr's book on Pretty Hate Machine in the mail and read it all straight through. Very enjoyable and terribly wrenching given that it's just as much a portrait of the economic stasis/dead zone of Cleveland, Youngstown and Mercer; a good half of the book (more?) consists of the words of various longtime fans who live in those cities or towns or nearby.
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 6 April 2011 03:05 (thirteen years ago) link
This series is beginning to jump the shark. Perhaps it was inevitable.
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Wednesday, 6 April 2011 03:20 (thirteen years ago) link
What makes you say that? From what I've read, some of the more recent books have been really great! Are you speaking more to the quality of the writing? Or the choice of albums?
― 'what are you, the Hymen Protection League of America?' (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Wednesday, 6 April 2011 03:21 (thirteen years ago) link
Some Girls!http://www.continuumbooks.com/books/detail.aspx?ReturnURL=%2fmain.aspx&BookId=136558&SubjectId=1381&Subject2Id=1381
― piscesx, Thursday, 14 July 2011 15:47 (twelve years ago) link
yeah and marquee moon! guess the authors think of them as "companion volumes" or some such. which is interesting.
― tylerw, Thursday, 14 July 2011 15:49 (twelve years ago) link
Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace by Aaron Cohen
― Fastnbulbous, Thursday, 17 November 2011 20:52 (twelve years ago) link
Wu Tang Clan's Enter the Wu Tang - this project has been cancelled
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Thursday, 17 November 2011 20:56 (twelve years ago) link
Great review, fastnbulbous. Brilliant book, easily one of the best of the series.
― Let A Man Come In And Do The Cop Porn (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Thursday, 17 November 2011 20:59 (twelve years ago) link
In response to a question left in the Comments section by John, here's where the series currently stands regarding upcoming titles:
Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace - just publishedPortishead's Dummy - just publishedTalking Heads' Fear of Music by Jonathan Lethem - this will publish in March/April 2012Liz Phair's Exile in Guyville by Gina Arnold - we don't yet quite have the final manuscript, but fully expect to publish this in May/June 2012
Weezer's Pinkerton - this project has been cancelledWu Tang Clan's Enter the Wu Tang - this project has been cancelledTori Amos' Boys for Pele - this project has been cancelledFunkadelic's Maggot Brain - this project is still alive, and partially written, but I wouldn't hold your breath...Outkast's Aquemini - this project has been cancelledThe Clash's London Calling - this book is deeply, profoundly cursed. If you pre-ordered it in 2004 when it was first announced, I can only apologise...Lucinda Williams' Self-Titled LP - 90% written, but cannot be confident of a publication dateKate Bush's The Dreaming - unlikely this will ever happen, but not yet officially cancelled
And that's it, for the moment! Apologies for the messiness and frustration caused by late and cancelled titles, but that's part of the fabric of the series. It's more difficult than it seems, to write 30,000 original and insightful words about a favourite record...
― shiroibasketshoes & tuxedos (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 17 November 2011 20:59 (twelve years ago) link
Who is RJ Wheaton?
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Thursday, 17 November 2011 21:00 (twelve years ago) link
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/3080395630_273326a28b.jpg
― shiroibasketshoes & tuxedos (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 17 November 2011 21:01 (twelve years ago) link
can't say i've loved every book i've read in this series, but i'm glad it exists and keeps chuggin' along. why hasn't there been a feelies crazy rhythms one? because i'm the only one who would buy it it?
― tylerw, Thursday, 17 November 2011 21:03 (twelve years ago) link
Talking Heads' Fear of Music by Jonathan Lethem - this will publish in March/April 2012
This is just about the news of the century, for me.
― Who wants to see the great Pavarotti sit on a pie? (jer.fairall), Thursday, 17 November 2011 21:04 (twelve years ago) link
Cohen's a really good writer; I need to get this.Who was doing Aquemini?
― do you want me to share what i know w/ you or not? (forksclovetofu), Thursday, 17 November 2011 21:33 (twelve years ago) link
i was at my friend's house this weekend and she had a copy of the "wowee zowee" 33 1/3 book out but i was struggling to read the spine from across the room and i thought someone had written one of these on white zombie.
― congratulations (n/a), Thursday, 17 November 2011 21:38 (twelve years ago) link
ha, i would so rather read a "white zombie" 33 1/3 book than a "wowee zowee" one.
― ah, how quaint (Matt P), Thursday, 17 November 2011 22:06 (twelve years ago) link
i would actually pick it up.
― ah, how quaint (Matt P), Thursday, 17 November 2011 22:07 (twelve years ago) link
I'd buy a Feelies book too!
― EZ Snappin, Thursday, 17 November 2011 22:07 (twelve years ago) link
that's two of us. actually, if i was feeling ambitious, I'd pitch a volume on The Good Earth. but that'd sell even less copies than the Crazy Rhythms book, I'm sure.
― tylerw, Thursday, 17 November 2011 22:32 (twelve years ago) link
At least with Crazy Rhythms you could talk about all the time that predates it, the evolution of the songs and sound, etc.
― EZ Snappin, Thursday, 17 November 2011 23:11 (twelve years ago) link
true, true. maybe i should do this. do they accept proposals from no-name jerks from the internet?
― tylerw, Thursday, 17 November 2011 23:20 (twelve years ago) link
All the time!
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Thursday, 17 November 2011 23:27 (twelve years ago) link
sweet!Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace - just publishedPortishead's Dummy - just publishedTalking Heads' Fear of Music by Jonathan Lethem - this will publish in March/April 2012Liz Phair's Exile in Guyville by Gina Arnold - we don't yet quite have the final manuscript, but fully expect to publish this in May/June 2012The Feelies' Crazy Rhythms by tylerw - yeah right
― tylerw, Thursday, 17 November 2011 23:29 (twelve years ago) link
Jonathan Lethem on Fear of Music--now THAT I will get!
― Iago Galdston, Thursday, 17 November 2011 23:46 (twelve years ago) link
Any recent reviews? I'm looking at the Some Girls and Achtung Baby ones.
― lumber up, limbaugh down (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 17 November 2011 23:58 (twelve years ago) link
― Who wants to see the great Pavarotti sit on a pie? (jer.fairall), Thursday, November 17, 2011 3:04 PM (3 hours ago) Bookmark
!!!!!!
― the 500 gats of bartholomew thuggins (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Friday, 18 November 2011 00:17 (twelve years ago) link
they've picked the wrong Talking Heads album like but hey should be good.
waaah what happened with the Tori one?? man alive..
― piscesx, Friday, 18 November 2011 00:45 (twelve years ago) link
and indeed ILM backs me up on that first pointTalking Heads studio albums poll
looking forward to a Fear Of Music book all the same.
― piscesx, Friday, 18 November 2011 00:47 (twelve years ago) link
Any recent reviews? I'm looking at the Some Girls and Achtung Baby ones
xxponst: i seem to recall someone giving the thumbs up to the some girls one here awhile back (on a different thread). i picked up a copy but am waiting for my deluxe reissue to start it though
― epigram addict (outdoor_miner), Friday, 18 November 2011 01:41 (twelve years ago) link
I still really, really, really hope someone does one of the behind-the-scenes type ones about Blur's "13" someday
― Sally Field hysterically shrieking "Gloria fucking SWANSON!!!" (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 18 November 2011 01:50 (twelve years ago) link
only loujag could do it justice
― quit /stalking/ me 2.0 (some dude), Friday, 18 November 2011 01:58 (twelve years ago) link
I actually love it more than loujag
― Sally Field hysterically shrieking "Gloria fucking SWANSON!!!" (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 18 November 2011 01:58 (twelve years ago) link
"Blur - 13" would be great
― billstevejim, Friday, 18 November 2011 02:09 (twelve years ago) link
Really interested in the Dummy one, although I think I might even be more into reading one about Third at this point.
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Friday, 18 November 2011 03:33 (twelve years ago) link
A longer book about the More Songs/Fear/Remain trilogy would be the ideal, but oh well. Looking forward to this one.
― Steamtable Willie (WmC), Friday, 18 November 2011 03:36 (twelve years ago) link
― the 500 gats of bartholomew thuggins (upper mississippi sh@kedown)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
― your pain is probably equal (Z S), Friday, 18 November 2011 03:48 (twelve years ago) link
why can't anyone spell 'canceled' right
― mon/ seeya/ chi 2.0 (k3vin k.), Friday, 18 November 2011 03:50 (twelve years ago) link
can you spell "pedant" with one d?
;)
― lumber up, limbaugh down (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 18 November 2011 03:53 (twelve years ago) link
they're just publishers nbd
― mon/ seeya/ chi 2.0 (k3vin k.), Friday, 18 November 2011 03:57 (twelve years ago) link
ha!
― zvookster, Friday, 18 November 2011 04:02 (twelve years ago) link
wait they spelled it 'cancelled', that's ok
― zvookster, Friday, 18 November 2011 04:05 (twelve years ago) link
lol u irish
― mon/ seeya/ chi 2.0 (k3vin k.), Friday, 18 November 2011 04:20 (twelve years ago) link
Both are acceptable in Webster's (though "canceled" is listed first).
― Bon Ivoj (jaymc), Friday, 18 November 2011 04:59 (twelve years ago) link
Man, if Sinker did one on Dragnet or Y, I would buy five copies instantly.
― Thick Gothy (Drugs A. Money), Friday, 18 November 2011 05:41 (twelve years ago) link
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Friday, November 18, 2011 Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
The author participated in that One Week One Band tumblr a week or two ago and tackled all things Portishead, not just Dummy. http://oneweekoneband.tumblr.com
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Friday, 18 November 2011 06:10 (twelve years ago) link
are the cancelled projects the writers' or publishers' decisions?
― all i see is angels in my eyes (lex pretend), Friday, 18 November 2011 07:16 (twelve years ago) link
could be either i think. some writers giving up, some writers coming up with stuff the publisher's not convinced by.
― willem, Friday, 18 November 2011 07:37 (twelve years ago) link
Tyler, I hope you're really considering doing it! I know at least two of my friends would definitely buy it. Or I'd buy it for them as a gift. dan selzer would surely buy one so there's five copies secured already - go for it dude! ;-)IIRC, the publisher's open to pitches from anyone.
― willem, Friday, 18 November 2011 07:42 (twelve years ago) link
kind of makes you wonder about their selection procedure. like many others I submitted a proposal which wasn't accepted. I wouldn't have given up nor would (imho) Continuum have been unconvinced by what I would have written. I'm sure many others would have been the same, and yet the slots they could have taken have now gone to waste.
IIRC, the publisher's open to pitches from anyone
there are specific times when proposals are accepted, now is not one of them.
― ban this sick stunt (anagram), Friday, 18 November 2011 07:53 (twelve years ago) link
I said anyone, not anytime ;-)I agree with you re. the selection process - with so many cancellations one could question its quality. Would you care to share the album title you had proposed?
― willem, Friday, 18 November 2011 08:02 (twelve years ago) link
sure, it was a Peter Hammill album, Over. would not have been a best seller, admittedly.
― ban this sick stunt (anagram), Friday, 18 November 2011 10:08 (twelve years ago) link
There's quite a dedicated Hammill following in the Netherlands (admittedly, a small market), so with a bit of adequate marketing it could sell reasonably well I'd say
― willem, Friday, 18 November 2011 10:54 (twelve years ago) link
I'm sure Italians would buy it, if they still have any money by the time it comes out
― R. Stornoway (Tom D.), Friday, 18 November 2011 11:02 (twelve years ago) link
I've only got the Abba Gold, 20 Jazz Funk Greats, and Master of Reality ones in this series...what're normally regarded as the best? Fancy putting a few on my Xmas list...
― Darren Huckerby (Dwight Yorke), Friday, 18 November 2011 11:35 (twelve years ago) link
i ranked my favorites upthread, i've read a couple since then so i'll add those and do it again:
Led Zeppelin IV by Erik DavisAja by Don BreithauptUse Your Illusion I and II by Eric WeisbardThe Who Sell Out by John DouganIt Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back by Christopher R. WeingartenBorn In The U.S.A. by Geoffrey HimesElectric Ladyland by John PerrySign O' The Times by Michaelangelo MatosArmed Forces by Franklin BrunoLet's Talk About Love: A Journey To The End Of Taste by Carl WilsonExile On Main Street by Bill JanovitzDouble Nickels On The Dime by Michael T. FournierIn Utero by Gillian G. GaarRadio City by Bruce EatonIllmatic by Matthew GasteierLet It Be by Colin Meloy
― quit /stalking/ me 2.0 (some dude), Friday, 18 November 2011 12:39 (twelve years ago) link
like many others I submitted a proposal which wasn't accepted. I wouldn't have given up nor would (imho) Continuum have been unconvinced by what I would have written.
Having had my proposal for a book on Black Vinyl Shoes (and power-pop more generally) rejected a number of years ago--which, ditto, I never would have abandoned and, in my very unhumble opinion, would have been excellent--I'm glad that the secret curse I put on the entire series is finally starting to take effect.
― clemenza, Friday, 18 November 2011 12:43 (twelve years ago) link
They are still publishing books, guys, so it's not like these six or so cancels has affected output (also six cancels from six different writers doesn't seem like a lot to me). Folks get busy, get other better offers, or realize that the project isn't worth the time, I don't know, it doesn't surprise me at all. That said I am bummed that Skiz Fernando's Wu-Tang book isn't ever coming out cuz while his book on Rice & Curry: Sri Lankan Home Cooking sounds interesting it isn't really the same sort of reading.
Either way if your proposal is a good one, resubmit it again.
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Friday, 18 November 2011 13:48 (twelve years ago) link
that's not how it works, Alex in SF
― upright shitizen's brigade (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 18 November 2011 13:49 (twelve years ago) link
Sorry I'm not totally clear on the rules submission (I know they periodically do open calls). Can you not resubmit a tweaked proposal?
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Friday, 18 November 2011 13:51 (twelve years ago) link
they pretty much only do open calls unless you're Jonathan Letham
― upright shitizen's brigade (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 18 November 2011 14:13 (twelve years ago) link
The Who Sell Out by John Dougan
This was something of a revelation for me. Tremendously illuminating history of UK pirate radio.
― Let A Man Come In And Do The Cop Porn (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Friday, 18 November 2011 14:19 (twelve years ago) link
As weird as it looks now, I knew a couple of fellow thirteen-year-olds who bought Roll With It.
― lumber up, limbaugh down (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 18 November 2011 14:22 (twelve years ago) link
haha – wrong thread
maybe the right one too, if I pitched this.
holy shit this site is amazing
― Much Ado About Nuttin (DJP), Friday, 18 November 2011 16:20 (twelve years ago) link
what're normally regarded as the best? Fancy putting a few on my Xmas list...
Live At The Apollo is the bestest ime. Disagree with s. dude about Nation Of Millions tbh. If you like 69 Love Songs, that one is great, if you're not into the record it's probably of no interest.
(annoyingly it does keep directing you to a dedicated website for even more, than even on archive.org is nothing but a big imagemap with 90% of the images missing)
― Θ ̨Θƪ (sic), Friday, 18 November 2011 22:58 (twelve years ago) link
David Bowie, Low (I've read a dozen)
― Iago Galdston, Friday, 18 November 2011 23:05 (twelve years ago) link
Sabbath, Throbbing Gristle, Eno are my favs (and not just because the authors post here.)
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Friday, 18 November 2011 23:15 (twelve years ago) link
The Sabbath one hit me hard. Made my wife read it and, even though she has no use for or familiarity with the band, she was similarly moved.
― EZ Snappin, Friday, 18 November 2011 23:18 (twelve years ago) link
Of the dozen or so I've got, the Prince, MBV, Eno, TG, Joni Mitchell & Minutemen ones are all great, the Tribe one is good although people seem a little down on the writing.
I guess I didn't like the U2 one and really couldn't get on with the Radiohead, ditching it 3/4 of the way in.
― sleigh tracks (1933-1969) (MaresNest), Friday, 18 November 2011 23:21 (twelve years ago) link
Per 33 1/3's website:
Unfortunately we are not accepting proposals at the moment. We have a bunch of awesome 33 1/3s lined up for publication in the next two years. Please check back soon.
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Friday, 18 November 2011 23:27 (twelve years ago) link
Oh also six canceled titles since the series began is really not that bad... I worked for a publisher and there was always a book here or there that fell off the list, for any variety of reasons.
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Friday, 18 November 2011 23:28 (twelve years ago) link
Sabbath and Celine are the best ones I've read so far but both are, for one reason or another, probably unusual for the series.
Of the straight history/critical analysis ones I've read, Bill Janovitz' one on Exile is terrific, and Philip Shaw's one on Horses has a lot of interesting pre-history (though it goes surprisingly light on the album itself).
― Who wants to see the great Pavarotti sit on a pie? (jer.fairall), Saturday, 19 November 2011 00:06 (twelve years ago) link
New call for proposals.
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 27 January 2012 15:26 (twelve years ago) link
In the middle of the Tom Waits Swordfishtrombones. A huge amount of conjecture, but somehow the writer seems to make it valid and hugely entertaining.
― I want your nose, your shoes and your unicycle (dog latin), Friday, 27 January 2012 15:27 (twelve years ago) link
I'd love to read a Let England Shake one.
― I want your nose, your shoes and your unicycle (dog latin), Friday, 27 January 2012 15:28 (twelve years ago) link
Damn, that's a lot of requrements.
― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 27 January 2012 15:35 (twelve years ago) link
it is actually... i guess they must get a lot of applications and want to vet only the people who are deadly serious about it. i remember applying a few years ago and it was just something like 1000 words about what you wanted to do.
― I want your nose, your shoes and your unicycle (dog latin), Friday, 27 January 2012 15:37 (twelve years ago) link
Yeah, that is quite a few more requirements this time around, particularly the part about how the author is going to market it.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 15:38 (twelve years ago) link
I was wondering why I wasn't more up for this myself this time and it hit me -- I just came off a stop-start three year project that would be a kind-of equivalent with the Disco Inferno feature in Pitchfork. So in my own way I think I've done my time!
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 27 January 2012 15:43 (twelve years ago) link
whenever a call for new proposals comes up i think i should pitch Crazy Rhythms, but I don't think it'd sell all that well! not that i'm really the person to write it, but it sort of seems like that album belongs in this series...i'd read it, anyway.
― tylerw, Friday, 27 January 2012 15:51 (twelve years ago) link
I'd read it! I'd consider pitching, but I know the album I'd best be equipped to write about has been submitted and rejected over and over again.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 15:57 (twelve years ago) link
yeah, i mean, i can see maybe 2,000 people being excited about a feelies book. guess it would help that there's literally no competition. have these books always been no-advance deals? as someone who has written a (non-music) book w/o advance, it's a little bit of a drag. so far i've made about $10 in royalties.
― tylerw, Friday, 27 January 2012 15:58 (twelve years ago) link
Are y'all following Whiney/aero discussing this on Twitter? Very entertaining.
― You got to ro-o-oll me and call me the tumblr whites (Phil D.), Friday, 27 January 2012 15:59 (twelve years ago) link
It is entertaining, both have some pretty good points about the whole thing though.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:09 (twelve years ago) link
Definitely! Esp. aero's point about publishing getting hit w/what music did and this being the new normal.
― You got to ro-o-oll me and call me the tumblr whites (Phil D.), Friday, 27 January 2012 16:12 (twelve years ago) link
Yeah, I really can't figure out if I'm Team Aero or Team Whiney at this point, because I definitely felt that kneejerk "what? there'll never be any royalties" when I saw the posting. But this is where things are right now.
Side topic, was Whiney banned again? He's noticably absent from the poll threads.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:14 (twelve years ago) link
http://i.imgur.com/zi7hd.gif
― markers, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:18 (twelve years ago) link
helpful post, tbh
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:22 (twelve years ago) link
hmmm, i guess if i had the opportunity to write one of these, i could buy a zillion copies at cost and then sell them in my store forever. bound to make some money that way eventually. i could just make people buy them. guilt them into buying one.
i only have one album i'd really want to write about though and i don't know how popular it would be.
― scott seward, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:29 (twelve years ago) link
I've had oneive been writing in my head for a while now, but now that the call is up and the due date is relatively soon (relative to the lst of requirements, that is; when I submitted one in '08 thy didn't want nearly this much) I'm wondering if I'll ever have time to get enough of it own on paper.
― Who wants to see the great Pavarotti sit on a pie? (jer.fairall), Friday, 27 January 2012 16:31 (twelve years ago) link
The world wants to know!
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:32 (twelve years ago) link
what bands haven't been covered by this series who would actually sell a bunch of books? looking over the list of already published volumes i'm drawing a blank. i guess sales could also depend on whether the writer is a "known" writer.
― tylerw, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:33 (twelve years ago) link
ned i still need to read your whole disco inferno thing. it's really long! good going, obviously.
― scott seward, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:34 (twelve years ago) link
Hey, thank ya. Still surprised it came together as well as it did.
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:35 (twelve years ago) link
oh but jungle brothers done by the forces of nature. its weirdly the only album i've ever wanted to write at length about. and, within that, also write about a bunch of other stuff.
― scott seward, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:36 (twelve years ago) link
The. Clash feels like one of the few titans that hasn't been covered yet, though I know that a "London calling" book has been stuck in limbo for years.
Think outside the rockist pantheon, though, and there are tonnes of major records that haven't been covered.
― Who wants to see the great Pavarotti sit on a pie? (jer.fairall), Friday, 27 January 2012 16:37 (twelve years ago) link
has anyone done an Orb/Orbital/Prodigy book?
― I spend a lot of time thinking about apricots (DJP), Friday, 27 January 2012 16:39 (twelve years ago) link
isn't this series pretty much about the "rockist pantheon," aside from a few exceptions like the Celine Dion one? I guess the 00s are fair game now. Is This It, by David Fricke. Sung Tongs by Carles.
― tylerw, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:40 (twelve years ago) link
Carles is clearly going to pitch the Lana Del Rey album.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:43 (twelve years ago) link
isn't this series pretty much about the "rockist pantheon,"
all the more reason to think outside it
― first period don't give a fuck, second period gon get cut (lex pretend), Friday, 27 January 2012 16:43 (twelve years ago) link
i think my reaction to the list of requirements ("ehhhh whatever then") might be demonstrative of my lack of ambition/attention span
― first period don't give a fuck, second period gon get cut (lex pretend), Friday, 27 January 2012 16:44 (twelve years ago) link
xpost -- Rather.
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:44 (twelve years ago) link
There's a Sung Tongs one? Cool!
― I want your nose, your shoes and your unicycle (dog latin), Friday, 27 January 2012 16:44 (twelve years ago) link
Well, yeah, but the problem here becomes reconciling this with the need for a demonstrable audience for the book. Not to say that doesn't exist for records/artists outside the canon, but surely its a huge consideration.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:46 (twelve years ago) link
ha, i was just making the sung tongs one (and the strokes one) up...and yeah, thinking outside the pantheon is a good idea, just don't know if that's what the publishers are looking for. still, would be interesting to know if in the wake of the Dion book there was a flurry of offbeat pitches.
― tylerw, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:46 (twelve years ago) link
and this is how canons get ossified and reinforced :((((((((
― first period don't give a fuck, second period gon get cut (lex pretend), Friday, 27 January 2012 16:47 (twelve years ago) link
sick of people talking about "canons"
― I want your nose, your shoes and your unicycle (dog latin), Friday, 27 January 2012 16:48 (twelve years ago) link
I really would like to write one about Siamese Dream, but its been pitched to death so it seems like the publishers aren't interested for whatever reason.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:48 (twelve years ago) link
with good reason.
― scott seward, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:49 (twelve years ago) link
damn, my self-imposed "no pumpkins bashing" rule gets broken over and over on ilm. please forgive me. but i blame anyone who mentions them, really.
― scott seward, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:50 (twelve years ago) link
love you, ned.
― scott seward, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:51 (twelve years ago) link
I fantasize about doing Secret Treaties.
― Axolotl with an Atlatl (Jon Lewis), Friday, 27 January 2012 16:51 (twelve years ago) link
I expected that from someone, tbh.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:51 (twelve years ago) link
*says five hail neds*
I would read the shit out of this!
its like a nervous tic...
Roffle.
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:52 (twelve years ago) link
i probably wouldn't be too interested in reading a siamese dream book (no offense jon) but it is surprising that there hasn't been a pumpkins one yet, considering that they had major commercial success, but still retain a die hard following. despite corgan's best efforts.
― tylerw, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:52 (twelve years ago) link
Someone do Blur's 13 plz
― tropical mall lady (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 27 January 2012 16:53 (twelve years ago) link
yeah, i mean, i can see maybe 2,000 people being excited about a feelies book. guess it would help that there's literally no competition.
tyler, why not just write a 'proper' feelies book, rather than just a 33 1/3? it might actually be easier.
― dave cool it (stevie), Friday, 27 January 2012 16:54 (twelve years ago) link
despite corgan's best efforts.
The key here. But yeah, I know the band isn't cool to like anymore, but I had a really personal, intense relationship with that record and its one of the few I feel well equipped enough to write about. The Pumpkins have a really rabid following that would likely eat up a book like that, but I think the "hip" factor makes it a non-starter.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:54 (twelve years ago) link
Are these for sale as eBooks at all yet? They'd be kind of perfect for the format.
― Axolotl with an Atlatl (Jon Lewis), Friday, 27 January 2012 16:56 (twelve years ago) link
I don't think so, I really keep hoping they will thugh.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 16:57 (twelve years ago) link
why not just write a 'proper' feelies booki dunno, wouldn't that sell even less copies? and be even more work? (see i'm clearly not the person to write this -- i need to think about the love, not the big bucks!)
― tylerw, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:01 (twelve years ago) link
Tyler is the boy with perpetual second thoughts.
― EZ Snappin, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:03 (twelve years ago) link
how much do people tend to make out of these? how ilxors have written one?
― banterdict cumberswag (cozen), Friday, 27 January 2012 17:03 (twelve years ago) link
how many, that is
― banterdict cumberswag (cozen), Friday, 27 January 2012 17:04 (twelve years ago) link
judging from aero and whiney's twitter exchange, they've made very little money, if any.
― tylerw, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:05 (twelve years ago) link
more work, yes, but you might get enough of an advance to make it worthwhile as a part-time hobby/project for 18 months or so... i've always assumed that 333rd books are to be done more for the love than the cash tbh.
― dave cool it (stevie), Friday, 27 January 2012 17:06 (twelve years ago) link
Yeah, sounds like they've not really seen much of anything from them. Which seems weird, because those two wrote some of the more popular entries that got lots of good buzz.
(xpost)
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:07 (twelve years ago) link
Maybe not "weird" as much as "sad" because aero's book was amazing and he deserves to get mad paid for writing it.
i've never actually seen one in a bookstore, but i don't go to a lot of bookstores. and i never go to barnes & noble. they would probably have them there.
― scott seward, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:10 (twelve years ago) link
No, actually they don't. I've never seen them in any Barnes & Noble. The only places I know to buy them is record shops.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:11 (twelve years ago) link
i've seen a shelf of them somewhere irl, either in b&n or borders (rip)
― the third kind of dubstep (Jordan), Friday, 27 January 2012 17:13 (twelve years ago) link
they show up occasionally at the big indie bookstore in denver, but the record store is where i've seen 'em most often.
― tylerw, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:15 (twelve years ago) link
Yeah they tend to show up at indie stores -- last time I saw a batch was at a bookstore on Valencia in SF last month.
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:16 (twelve years ago) link
might have helped make people some money if you could buy them in a book store.
― scott seward, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:19 (twelve years ago) link
just sayin'...
maybe the new management will get on that.
shelf space is limited, even more than ever. gotta make room for the twilight books, you know. maybe i'll pitch the twilight soundtrack.
― tylerw, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:20 (twelve years ago) link
yeah but they are thin and so uniform. like snacks. make great end displays.
― scott seward, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:21 (twelve years ago) link
They carry them at the B&N in Union Square NYC but that doesn't really count I guess.
― Axolotl with an Atlatl (Jon Lewis), Friday, 27 January 2012 17:21 (twelve years ago) link
Yeah, I always thought that was kind of a missed opportunity to pull in some casual fans that don't spend a lot of time in record stores.
lol tylerw otm though
Have you guys been in a Barnes & Noble lately? There is literally a section for "New Teen Paranormal Romance" that is twice the size of the art and architecture section.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:22 (twelve years ago) link
Before Borders closed, the one in Portland, ME used to have around a dozen of them in the music section. But the record store there has two displays - with books and by the cash registers.
― EZ Snappin, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:22 (twelve years ago) link
yeah, i mean they seem like they'd be perfect for any book store -- little impulse buys or gift items. but they're definitely not in the b&n near me.
― tylerw, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:24 (twelve years ago) link
they had their own little rack in a bookstore here in la for a while
― buzza, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:25 (twelve years ago) link
They stocked them at City Lights in SF. granted I haven't been inside City Lights in like 5 years.
― Full Frontal Newtity (Shakey Mo Collier), Friday, 27 January 2012 17:27 (twelve years ago) link
definitely seen them in Powell's in Portland as well.
Yeah I think the point is that not getting them into the big chain stores was a missed opportunity.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:28 (twelve years ago) link
They stock at least some of them in all of the Waterstone's shops I've been to.
― emil.y, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:29 (twelve years ago) link
yeah if they didn't have them in places like powells or city lights then i would know that something was really wrong.
― scott seward, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:30 (twelve years ago) link
can you buy them all for a penny on amazon? that's a true test of something or other.
― scott seward, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:31 (twelve years ago) link
do they keep the old ones in print? and now with new ownership do all the old titles get reissued? i have a lot of questions apparently.
― scott seward, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:32 (twelve years ago) link
Last time I checked, no. xp
― Rotary Boy of the Month (WmC), Friday, 27 January 2012 17:32 (twelve years ago) link
I saw a little rack of them in Walgreens the other day.
― pplains, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:34 (twelve years ago) link
No, I'm just kidding.
― pplains, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:35 (twelve years ago) link
I've also seen some for sale in a couple of record shops, too. Which seems like a good idea.
― emil.y, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:35 (twelve years ago) link
Yeah, Reckless has a nice rack right up at the register thats usually pretty well stocked with these. I'm constantly tempted, but when I remember how much I'm already spending on records I refrain. I did get the Pet Sounds one for Christmas though.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:38 (twelve years ago) link
nobody goes to record shops though.
― scott seward, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:38 (twelve years ago) link
wait, that's just my store. today. okay, all week. sold two copies of Yeti this week though.
I do. I'd go to yours if it wasn't in the wrong continent.
― emil.y, Friday, 27 January 2012 17:39 (twelve years ago) link
The Chapters in Montreal (well, one of them) has had a huge wall display of them on my last two trips there. I left with an armful both times.
― Who wants to see the great Pavarotti sit on a pie? (jer.fairall), Friday, 27 January 2012 17:40 (twelve years ago) link
"5. A one-page sheet of how you would help Bloomsbury Academic market your book – websites/forums/listservs you’d contact directly; any artist involvement you might expect; any college-level courses on which you think your book could be used, and so on;"
hmmm
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Friday, 27 January 2012 18:16 (twelve years ago) link
that's why the carl wilson one has sold so well
― buzza, Friday, 27 January 2012 18:19 (twelve years ago) link
Rocktology 101: It's All About the Music, Man.
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 27 January 2012 18:19 (twelve years ago) link
I bought the - admittedly pretty awful - ABBA one in a charity shop in Portsmouth for 50p. Halcyon days.
― Darren Huckerby (Dwight Yorke), Friday, 27 January 2012 18:21 (twelve years ago) link
"Hey guys write us some textbooks on the cheap, will ya?"
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 18:21 (twelve years ago) link
http://33third.blogspot.com/p/complete-list-of-33-13-series_27.html
my dream gig would be to co-author a 33 1/3 Return to the 36 Chambers and try to recreate the circumstances surrounding the Wu at the time and the vibe in the studio. interweave that with a track by track breakdown and ODB's history from cradle to grave. Would require a shit-ton of interviews and research; always thought of it as a two-man job. Anybody wanna discuss?
― this is funny u bitter dork (forksclovetofu), Friday, 27 January 2012 18:24 (twelve years ago) link
and i like elizabeth's ABBA book actually
^would read.
i want a d'angelo "voodoo" one written ?uestlove (or someone with full access)
― the third kind of dubstep (Jordan), Friday, 27 January 2012 18:25 (twelve years ago) link
yeah, i do too; just think that the wounds are too fresh for that to get made. D is gonna either have to have a miraculous comeback or die before anyone wants to discuss the story.
― this is funny u bitter dork (forksclovetofu), Friday, 27 January 2012 18:28 (twelve years ago) link
"A one-page sheet of how you would help Bloomsbury Academic market your book"
1. sell book to book stores.
― scott seward, Friday, 27 January 2012 18:45 (twelve years ago) link
J0hn D's Masters of Reality is a totally entertaining work of fiction. was not expecting that but have totally enjoyed reading whilst listening to Sabbaf
― epigram addict (outdoor_miner), Friday, 27 January 2012 19:06 (twelve years ago) link
Who is aero? Which one did he/she write?
― Sick Mouthy (Scik Mouthy), Friday, 27 January 2012 19:23 (twelve years ago) link
― markers, Friday, 27 January 2012 19:27 (twelve years ago) link
Sick M. -- your question was implicitly answered by the post immediately before it.
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 27 January 2012 19:31 (twelve years ago) link
sick mouthy - she did the Get a Grip one
― the third kind of dubstep (Jordan), Friday, 27 January 2012 19:33 (twelve years ago) link
open secret but still secret enough that i deleted your post
― this is funny u bitter dork (forksclovetofu), Friday, 27 January 2012 19:36 (twelve years ago) link
Meantime, regarding the questions about royalties and all, John Mark Boling, who does work with 33 1/3 and Continuum/Bloomsbury, passed on this to me just now:
--
...the conversation (ILM folks are) having raises a lot of wonderful questions which we would be more than happy to answer and clarify for everyone to see if they were willing to ask them on the blog or on our facebook page. There is obviously much that needs clarification, especially on the royalties vs. advances front. Publishing was a weird, complicated business even before it was in crazy depression/recession mode, and the situation deserves a little elucidation...
The respective pages:
https://www.facebook.com/33.3books
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 27 January 2012 19:39 (twelve years ago) link
wait, i'm in public? o right...
― scott seward, Friday, 27 January 2012 20:09 (twelve years ago) link
know that you are not alone in believing that this band has always been completely worthless
― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Friday, 27 January 2012 20:34 (twelve years ago) link
Not completely worthless, no.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 20:36 (twelve years ago) link
it's just too easy. and as everyone knows its too easy to be too easy on the internet. *2 easy 2 b 2 easy on the internet*. prince's worst song ever.
― scott seward, Friday, 27 January 2012 20:47 (twelve years ago) link
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 20:48 (twelve years ago) link
Indeed you are not.
― Let A Man Come In And Do The Cop Porn (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Friday, 27 January 2012 21:21 (twelve years ago) link
http://images2.fanpop.com/image/photos/10400000/you-are-not-alone-michael-jackson-music-videos-10472508-512-384.jpg
― tylerw, Friday, 27 January 2012 21:23 (twelve years ago) link
Okay I really regret mentioning the album I'd write about. But thanks for helping me decide whether to pitch or not.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 21:24 (twelve years ago) link
do it! don't let a couple of ILM blowhards get you down!
― tylerw, Friday, 27 January 2012 21:28 (twelve years ago) link
Haha, I understand the impulse behind stuff like that and, even as a lapsed huge Pumpkins stan, I can appreciate why they are thought so badly of, but Siamese Dream was like such a crucial piece of me getting through some really awful times that I get weirdly defensive about it.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 21:31 (twelve years ago) link
hey if people came on here bashing Crazy Rhythms i'd get defensive too. not that anyone would *ever* bash that record.
― tylerw, Friday, 27 January 2012 21:36 (twelve years ago) link
True true.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 27 January 2012 21:37 (twelve years ago) link
*2 easy 2 b 2 easy on the internet*. prince's worst song ever.
well done
― Full Frontal Newtity (Shakey Mo Collier), Friday, 27 January 2012 21:39 (twelve years ago) link
I don't think the "requirements" were quite so explicit when I pitched mine last time around, but that said - as someone who worked in publishing and saw a lot of proposals, the best ones had all that info whether we explicitly asked or not.
The no advance thing is kind of a bummer. Mine was quite small but it was still enough to help me make a trip to Louisville for interviews and I was able to put a decent amount toward a new computer too.
Tyler, I don't think the Feelies are too obscure! Go for it.
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Friday, 27 January 2012 22:55 (twelve years ago) link
yeah i mean those are the kind of requirements MOST publishers would ask of in a pitch for a non-fiction book. stuff like how you would market it, whether it could be taught in a college course, those are legit and valid questions and if they'd asked them before maybe they wouldn't have had to cancel a few titles after accepting the pitch.
― markarles (some dude), Saturday, 28 January 2012 02:46 (twelve years ago) link
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, January 27, 2012 12:38 PM (8 hours ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
btw bonus points for using the phrase "nice rack" in a completely sincere way to describe a bookshelf
― markarles (some dude), Saturday, 28 January 2012 02:47 (twelve years ago) link
rofl
― J0rdan S., Saturday, 28 January 2012 02:47 (twelve years ago) link
"yeah i mean those are the kind of requirements MOST publishers would ask of in a pitch for a non-fiction book. stuff like how you would market it, whether it could be taught in a college course, those are legit and valid questions and if they'd asked them before maybe they wouldn't have had to cancel a few titles after accepting the pitch."
i agree! seems like the least someone should do when submitting a proposal.
― scott seward, Saturday, 28 January 2012 03:11 (twelve years ago) link
I can't believe I didn't notice that when I typed it, lol. xp
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Saturday, 28 January 2012 04:25 (twelve years ago) link
See, after being explicitly told that my pitch was all right but that the series would NEVER publish a book about Cheap Trick, I kind of lost all interest.
― Display Name (this cannot be changed):, Saturday, 28 January 2012 06:03 (twelve years ago) link
would excitedly read about a book about cheap trick fwiw
― ban opinions (reddening), Saturday, 28 January 2012 07:12 (twelve years ago) link
yeah, wtf...a cheap trick book re: almost ANY of their pre-90s albums would be worth buying/reading imo
― Johnny Fever, Saturday, 28 January 2012 07:29 (twelve years ago) link
i wish i had time to do this. i guess i'd be interested in nashville skyline, shotgun willie, or rock bottom.
― flesh, the devil, and a wolf (wolf) (amateurist), Saturday, 28 January 2012 07:36 (twelve years ago) link
actually i'd love to do nashville skyline, but the book would have to be short like the album.
― flesh, the devil, and a wolf (wolf) (amateurist), Saturday, 28 January 2012 07:37 (twelve years ago) link
>John Mark Boling<
another prodigy shoegazing person surely!
― keythhtyek, Saturday, 28 January 2012 16:38 (twelve years ago) link
can you buy them all for a penny on amazon? that's a true test of something or other. ― scott seward, Friday, January 27, 2012
would excitedly read about a book about cheap trick fwiw ― ban opinions (reddening), Saturday, January 28, 2012
Here's a book with a chapter on Cheap Trick, but you'll have to cough up 15 pennies on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Wanna-Be-Sedated-Music-Seventies/dp/0920151167
See, after being explicitly told that my pitch was all right but that the series would NEVER publish a book about Cheap Trick, I kind of lost all interest. ― Display Name (this cannot be changed):, Saturday, January 28, 2012
Substitute Shoes for Cheap Trick, and I'm basically in the same boat--which is not to say I don't start thinking of stuff every time one of these calls comes up.
― clemenza, Saturday, 28 January 2012 17:00 (twelve years ago) link
There will be royalties payable on all print and electronic editions of your book, as well as foreign rights deals, etc – but no advances will be paid against those royalties.
so you'll be working for free and unlikely to ever see much if any $$
― demolition with discretion (m coleman), Saturday, 28 January 2012 17:31 (twelve years ago) link
tbf the sales baseline for generating royalties is probably considerably lower if there's no advance paid against it.
of course, all this depends on where that sales figure is in relationship to the publisher's self-declared goal/average (4-5 thousand).
― markarles (some dude), Saturday, 28 January 2012 17:34 (twelve years ago) link
if i were, uh, steve tyler i would have done what i mentioned above. by a couple thousand copies at cost and then sell them at my aerosmith shows.
― scott seward, Saturday, 28 January 2012 17:37 (twelve years ago) link
i dunno, i heard a lot of his fans were put off by the decision to write about Get A Grip, to say nothing of writing the whole thing from the perspective of Alicia Silverstone
― markarles (some dude), Saturday, 28 January 2012 17:41 (twelve years ago) link
hahaha
― demolition with discretion (m coleman), Saturday, 28 January 2012 17:45 (twelve years ago) link
the royalty rate in traditional publishing deals is low, 8-10%. most non/f books never earn back their advance. novels often get low or no advance
obv nobody writes a 33 1/3 book to get rich, it's a labor of love by def
still idk writers should get paid something for their trouble
― demolition with discretion (m coleman), Saturday, 28 January 2012 17:52 (twelve years ago) link
did you guys read that novel about Haley Joel Osment and Dakota Fanning? It's called Richard Yates. pretty funny stuff. for some reason alicia silverstone writing about get a grip reminded me of it.
― scott seward, Saturday, 28 January 2012 17:53 (twelve years ago) link
yes, we all read it. there was a very enthusiastic ILE thread about it.
― markarles (some dude), Saturday, 28 January 2012 17:56 (twelve years ago) link
really? cool. i didn't read it. but i looked at it in a bookstore.
― scott seward, Saturday, 28 January 2012 18:02 (twelve years ago) link
reminded me of mark leyner.
― scott seward, Saturday, 28 January 2012 18:04 (twelve years ago) link
i would totally read a 33&1/3 book by mark leyner.
I think some dude must be joking, b/c I can't find a dedicated Tao Lin thread anywhere.
― jaymc, Saturday, 28 January 2012 18:06 (twelve years ago) link
"I Smell Lana Del Rey"
― Rotary Boy of the Month (WmC), Saturday, 28 January 2012 18:07 (twelve years ago) link
what bands haven't been covered by this series who would actually sell a bunch of books? looking over the list of already published volumes i'm drawing a blank.
looks like they're cool w/ different albums by bands who have already been covered -- there are two stones books out already.
― (The Other) J.D. (J.D.), Saturday, 28 January 2012 18:45 (twelve years ago) link
Steely Dan?
― Lady Writer, Male Seether (C. Grisso/McCain), Saturday, 28 January 2012 19:00 (twelve years ago) link
okay, for people thinking about this, i looked at the wikipedia page and found:
books about solo female artists: 6
books about solo male artists: 18
books about all male groups: 51
books about groups with female members: 10
― scott seward, Saturday, 28 January 2012 19:02 (twelve years ago) link
some suggestions then:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bMJI7arDPqw/SUAcvJ62J7I/AAAAAAAAJ6Y/IKzM-f9jgd4/s400/Ronettes%2520-%2520Ronnettes2.JPG
http://www.oedipus1.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/The-Shaggs.jpg
http://cdn.hmvdigital.com/static/img/sleeveart/00/005/470/0000547052_500.jpg
and just to push it over the edge:
http://www.ong8ba8.com/images/12GirlsBandEasternEnergyFront.jpg
― flesh, the devil, and a wolf (wolf) (amateurist), Saturday, 28 January 2012 19:10 (twelve years ago) link
I'd read any of those ones.
― emil.y, Saturday, 28 January 2012 19:15 (twelve years ago) link
that's 81.17647058823529 all male action for you math fans.
― scott seward, Saturday, 28 January 2012 19:28 (twelve years ago) link
the new talking heads book will skew that number somewhat. hopefully, there is a chapter entitled: I, Tina.
― scott seward, Saturday, 28 January 2012 19:35 (twelve years ago) link
If I had the stamina to actually write a book at this point in my life, I'd try doing one of these for Nuggets. I always wished there were more info in the boxed set notes.
― billstevejim, Saturday, 28 January 2012 19:54 (twelve years ago) link
would totally buy a 'liliput' book no questions asked.
― (The Other) J.D. (J.D.), Saturday, 28 January 2012 22:34 (twelve years ago) link
― jaymc, Saturday, January 28, 2012 1:06 PM (4 hours ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
lol made you search
― markarles (some dude), Saturday, 28 January 2012 22:40 (twelve years ago) link
Oh yeah I also pitched an Erykah Badu book but that got rejected too, with no ego-massaging nice words attached to it. I might re-pitch it with HEY ILXORS SAY YOU NEED MORE WHITE MEN WRITING ABOUT WOMEN ARTISTS. Y'all got my back right?
― Display Name (this cannot be changed):, Monday, 30 January 2012 17:46 (twelve years ago) link
albums by women artists I would read books about:
Blue, Court and Spark, The Hissing of Summer LawnsBad Music For Bad PeopleTransient Random Noise Bursts with Announcements, Mars Audiac Quintetpretty much any Kate Bush albumNew Amerykah Part 1: Fourth World WarBlue Bell Knollanything by the Runaways/Joan Jettanything by BroadcastMayaNancy & Lee
― Full Frontal Newtity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 30 January 2012 18:07 (twelve years ago) link
seems like stereolab would be a good band for one of these books -- so many references in the music/art/lyrics to dig through.
― tylerw, Monday, 30 January 2012 18:10 (twelve years ago) link
Jayne County.
― dlp9001, Monday, 30 January 2012 18:12 (twelve years ago) link
There's already a Court and Spark 33 1/3.
― jaymc, Monday, 30 January 2012 18:51 (twelve years ago) link
then I guess I will have to read it
― Full Frontal Newtity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 30 January 2012 18:55 (twelve years ago) link
One of the best books in the series!
― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 30 January 2012 19:02 (twelve years ago) link
Blue Bell Knoll
Oh hell yes! Would love that too
― future debts collector (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 30 January 2012 19:22 (twelve years ago) link
Do an Under The Pink book and lots of buyers will come out of the woodwork.
― Burritos are one of the things I'm nostalgic about!!! (Eazy), Monday, 30 January 2012 19:25 (twelve years ago) link
I wonder if the time is right yet for a Kraftwerk book. Already pitched twice, and know it's been turned down by a few other people pitching them too so it almost feels like it'd be a waste of time to try again.
― Sean Carruthers, Monday, 30 January 2012 20:56 (twelve years ago) link
I do wonder about their absence. Also Depeche's, but I would wonder about that.
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 30 January 2012 21:15 (twelve years ago) link
another prodigy shoegazing person surely!― keythhtyek, Saturday, January 28, 2012 4:38 PM
...aaaaaand we've got a positive ID! ha, ha...Regarding Kraftwerk, there's this: http://www.continuumbooks.com/books/detail.aspx?BookId=133992&SearchType=Basic
― JMB, Monday, 30 January 2012 21:19 (twelve years ago) link
has anyone done colossal youth??
― flesh, the devil, and a wolf (wolf) (amateurist), Monday, 30 January 2012 21:59 (twelve years ago) link
Re kraftwerk - Continuum published a whole book of essays devoted to Kraftwerk a year or so ago. Not part of the series, but...
― scott pgwp (pgwp), Monday, 30 January 2012 22:39 (twelve years ago) link
'sup JMB
― andrew m., Monday, 30 January 2012 23:22 (twelve years ago) link
atm otm
― pplains, Tuesday, 31 January 2012 01:23 (twelve years ago) link
Weird. Howdy, atm!
― JMB, Tuesday, 31 January 2012 21:37 (twelve years ago) link
who is atm?
― flesh, the devil, and a wolf (wolf) (amateurist), Tuesday, 31 January 2012 23:26 (twelve years ago) link
he is a hippie dishwasher.
― pplains, Wednesday, 1 February 2012 01:16 (twelve years ago) link
I'm too ADD to write 1,000 words on any topic, much less 30,000, but someone needs to take on Kris Kristofferson's first album.
― Johnny Fever, Wednesday, 1 February 2012 02:24 (twelve years ago) link
atm's me, amateurist. EX-hippie dishwasher. jmb is an ex-arkansan (hope he doesn't mind the reveal). couldn't resist sayin hi. xp and carry on.
― andrew m., Wednesday, 1 February 2012 16:52 (twelve years ago) link
when i heard they reopened submissions i was like "finally, scott can write a book about katatonia's discouraged ones"
― Whiney vs. (BradNelson), Thursday, 2 February 2012 01:21 (twelve years ago) link
Addressing financial issues upthread:
I wrote one of these books, way back in 2005. I got the $3,000 advance, and after a few years, the book did earn out its advance and I started getting royalties. Not sure how much I've earned, as the cheques have come in in dribs and drabs, but it's in the $2,000-$3,000 range. So that's $5,000-$6,000 so far for 30,000 words. On top of that, I had some journalistic work specifically off the back of the book.
Certainly no one's going to write one of these books for the money, but I'd say that ultimately it does just about make financial sense as well, as long as you write about a fairly popular album.
― hugo_w, Thursday, 2 February 2012 23:59 (twelve years ago) link
Your book was excellent.
― smash williams, Friday, 3 February 2012 05:58 (twelve years ago) link
Which book was yours?
― Who wants to see the great Pavarotti sit on a pie? (jer.fairall), Friday, 3 February 2012 14:46 (twelve years ago) link
Just going out on a limb here, but based on display name i'm guessing Low, which really was a great read.
― Gonjasufjanstephen O'Malley (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Friday, 3 February 2012 14:49 (twelve years ago) link
Matrix: Music From The Motion Picture by Hugo Weaving
― some dude, Friday, 3 February 2012 14:49 (twelve years ago) link
― Gonjasufjanstephen O'Malley (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Friday, 3 February 2012 14:50 (twelve years ago) link
I actually met Hugo Weaving once, and we talked about the ins and outs of being called Hugo.
But yeah, I wrote the Low one. And thanks for the kind words, smash williams!
― hugo_w, Saturday, 4 February 2012 04:48 (twelve years ago) link
low is one of the best ones imo http://i.imgur.com/zi7hd.gif
― dave cool, Saturday, 4 February 2012 06:16 (twelve years ago) link
my friends' book/magazine store carries these, i took a picture of another friend's dog looking mildly interested in dave's book.
― sarahell, Saturday, 4 February 2012 09:41 (twelve years ago) link
has anyone ever suggested 'Pump Up The Volume' by MARRS? i mean i know the idea is to do albums per se, but there'd be enough material to do 8 chapters about that one song i'd have thought. and uh.. you know the original 12" was 33 1/3 RPM too! you could do a chapter on all the samples (of which there were meant to be literally 100s) and stuff about the 2 bands that made MARRS, the impact, the history etc. it's not a particularly well known story either and would surely make for a more interesting read than yet another book about some band who have been written about a million times before.
― piscesx, Saturday, 4 February 2012 12:50 (twelve years ago) link
"and stuff about the 2 bands that made MARRS"
reslly only one if you ask me. you gonna do a chapter on the loser ar kane b-side?
― scott seward, Saturday, 4 February 2012 13:58 (twelve years ago) link
could you really write 90+ pages about one MARRS track?
― flesh, the devil, and a wolf (wolf) (amateurist), Saturday, 4 February 2012 18:14 (twelve years ago) link
i totally could. i mean, i won't, but i could.
― scott seward, Saturday, 4 February 2012 18:44 (twelve years ago) link
I'd be genuinely into a book on the Vengaboys' The Party Album. There's a surprising amount of backstory once you start reading a bit. The backgrounds of some of the members are also pretty intriguing (e.g., dolphin trainer). And then there's the eurodisco/klf element to some of their stunts (not to mention their attitude towards the music they produce).
― s.clover, Thursday, 1 March 2012 07:07 (twelve years ago) link
it's true about the LOW book - I learned from that when I was keen to find about that Bowie era.
― the pinefox, Thursday, 1 March 2012 08:49 (twelve years ago) link
o hullooo, the pinefox!what other 33 1/3 books have you read, and how art they?
― t**t, Thursday, 1 March 2012 17:11 (twelve years ago) link
Finished the Swordfishtrombones book the other. Quite good fun.
― Alexandre Dumbass (dog latin), Thursday, 1 March 2012 17:21 (twelve years ago) link
Really enjoyed the Low book, but then I'm a huge fan of Hugo Williams's 2 novels, too
Couldn't get past one chapter of the Rid of Me book--like the Meat is Murder book it's a fiction response to the album, but unlike the Meat is Murder book it was incredibly irritating
― Not only dermatologists hate her (James Morrison), Thursday, 1 March 2012 22:54 (twelve years ago) link
Really hoping for a book on Suicide's first album
― Not only dermatologists hate her (James Morrison), Thursday, 1 March 2012 22:55 (twelve years ago) link
reading the amazing grace book right now, which is pretty solid, a little bit subdued in tone, but that's not a bad thing. lots of interesting background about the gospel world. mainly makes me wish they would get the film of the sessions completed, for the love of GOD. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JrHr1P5ryc
― tylerw, Thursday, 1 March 2012 22:57 (twelve years ago) link
film is completed, i think, but aretha's blocking it.
― face depalma (stevie), Friday, 2 March 2012 08:38 (twelve years ago) link
The one about Tusk is a piece of shit.
― Lil' Kim Philby (Call the Cops), Friday, 2 March 2012 09:03 (twelve years ago) link
reading the amazing grace book right now, which is pretty solid, a little bit subdued in tone, but that's not a bad thing. lots of interesting background about the gospel world. mainly makes me wish they would get the film of the sessions completed, for the love of GOD.
Yeah, the film-in-limbo is pretty frustrating. Great book, though. Tremendously informative.
― Tarfumes The Escape Goat, Friday, 2 March 2012 15:41 (twelve years ago) link
yeah, frustrating, looks like amazing footage.
― tylerw, Friday, 2 March 2012 16:00 (twelve years ago) link
The one about Tusk is a piece of shit.― Lil' Kim Philby (Call the Cops)
Why?I was considering buying it.
― t**t, Friday, 2 March 2012 17:48 (twelve years ago) link
Village Green & Song Cycle both seem pretty great, tho.
― t**t, Monday, 26 March 2012 20:08 (twelve years ago) link
i got to meet Weisbard at EMP over the weekend and had to tell him that Use Your Illusion was by far one of my favorite 33 1/3s -- he seemed genuinely surprised to hear that from anyone and said it was the lowest selling book in the series (i don't know if he meant literally the single lowest or just that it was pretty far down there)
― internet somebody (some dude), Monday, 26 March 2012 20:44 (twelve years ago) link
nevermind, i forgot that there was an actual sales ranking on the official 33 1/3 blog -- GNR is in the bottom 10 but as of last year the lowest was Van Dyke Parks apparently
― internet somebody (some dude), Monday, 26 March 2012 20:47 (twelve years ago) link
is anyone else here planning on submitting a proposal?
― (The Other) J.D. (J.D.), Monday, 26 March 2012 21:49 (twelve years ago) link
Man, that's too bad. I really dug Use Your Illusion, as well. It's prolly in my top five (with Let's Talk About Love and Master of Reality and some other stuff...kinda want to see Another Green World get some use as an improv text).
― Mary Steamvirgin (Deric W. Haircare), Monday, 26 March 2012 22:02 (twelve years ago) link
as of last year the lowest was Van Dyke Parks apparently
How we lost $35,509 on 'The 33 1/3 Book of the Year' (Dammit)
― Hideous Lump, Tuesday, 27 March 2012 03:47 (twelve years ago) link
Don't mean to be too negative but The Tusk one is more a book about the author than the record, which I find utterly tragic. Dip into it in a bookshop if you can. YMMV.
The Song Cycle one, on the other hand, should be at the top of the charts rather than the bottom. It sheds all hell of new light on many aspects of what is to many an obscure and at times impenetrably referential LP. Plus it's well-written by a guy who has loved the record since it came out.
― Lil' Kim Philby (Call the Cops), Tuesday, 27 March 2012 08:19 (twelve years ago) link
Wot Lil' Kim Philby said! re: Song Cycle book.
And I do dearly hope that somebody's already writing as good a little tome on The Osmonds' The Plan.
― t**t, Tuesday, 27 March 2012 12:33 (twelve years ago) link
Just bought Spiderland and am eagerly anticipating tearing through it in one sitting.
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Tuesday, 27 March 2012 19:43 (twelve years ago) link
need to read the song cycle one -- a friend talked a bit with VDP recently and the man himself recommended it!
― tylerw, Tuesday, 27 March 2012 19:44 (twelve years ago) link
Whoa! I wonder how many artists have read/spoken abt their books
― Joan Cusack clumsily running into a water fountain (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 27 March 2012 19:55 (twelve years ago) link
I am just going to write my own books on Cheap Trick and Erykah Badu and the Boo Radleys and El Gran Silencio's Superriddim Internacional Vol. 1. They will all be self-published [in my head].
― @GracieLoPan #fyi (Display Name (this cannot be changed):), Tuesday, 27 March 2012 19:57 (twelve years ago) link
(xpost)tylerw, should you await any more recommendations re Song Cycle - buy it, goddammit! buy it!:)i'm on page 76 and loving it helluva lot.
...did check those 33 1/3 lists as per which titles are in the making. sadly, no mention of The Osmonds' The Plan:(
― t**t, Tuesday, 27 March 2012 19:58 (twelve years ago) link
does anyone know if there are distribution issues with these now? i've been watching the shelves of these dwindle at Reckless and I noticed today that the entire display is gone.
― stan this sick bunt (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Tuesday, 27 March 2012 19:58 (twelve years ago) link
xp tbh i'm not sure if VDP actually *read* the book, but he gave it his blessing.
― tylerw, Tuesday, 27 March 2012 19:59 (twelve years ago) link
it says in the book that VDP was interviewed for it and cooperated in any-which-way most kindly.
― t**t, Tuesday, 27 March 2012 20:02 (twelve years ago) link
Don't mean to be too negative but The Tusk one is more a book about the author than the record, which I find utterly tragic.
That was certainly my impression as far as I was able to get into it before putting it down for good. It reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally put me off.
― Woodsy The Allen (Deric W. Haircare), Tuesday, 27 March 2012 20:13 (twelve years ago) link
that's too bad, there's a good book waiting to be written about Tusk.
― tylerw, Tuesday, 27 March 2012 20:14 (twelve years ago) link
there's a good book waiting to be written about Tusk.
^^ true dat. it's one of those albums with so much potencial for a great book.
finishing 'sign o'the times' and really enjoying it. 'use your illusion I & II' is on queue.
― rusty_allen, Tuesday, 27 March 2012 21:05 (twelve years ago) link
BTW perhaps this is obvious, but Revolution in the Head is a supreme work of music writing, likely setting the tone for this series in many ways - yet still out there on its own in terms of quality of research and depth of perception.
― Lil' Kim Philby (Call the Cops), Thursday, 29 March 2012 07:18 (twelve years ago) link
You're Living All Over Me book is really tediously written.
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Sunday, 1 April 2012 15:43 (twelve years ago) link
yeah i just read that one recently, i enjoyed it and it did give me a new perspective on a great album, but the way he had to self-consciously frame every section and observation was exhausting.
― Eisbaerg Slim (some dude), Sunday, 1 April 2012 16:18 (twelve years ago) link
inspired by this thread I finally got myself the first anthology, plan on getting some more individual ones soon.
― Flat Of NAGLs (sleeve), Sunday, 1 April 2012 17:56 (twelve years ago) link
The Barnes & Noble in Union Square NYC has a whole display rack of these, btw, if anybody's looking for them.
― 誤訳侮辱, Sunday, 1 April 2012 18:25 (twelve years ago) link
Reckless in Chicago also has a wonderful selection, for those unaware.
― Marty McBrundlefly (Deric W. Haircare), Sunday, 1 April 2012 19:09 (twelve years ago) link
BTW perhaps this is obvious, but Revolution in the Head is a supreme work of music writing, likely setting the tone for this series in many ways
Not obvious to me since I'm missing the connection.
Also, you two need to meet:
i've been watching the shelves of these dwindle at Reckless and I noticed today that the entire display is gone.
― stan this sick bunt (jon /via/ chi 2.0)
Flag Post Permalink
― Marty McBrundlefly (Deric W. Haircare)
― Kevin John Bozelka, Sunday, 1 April 2012 19:36 (twelve years ago) link
Well, they maintained a great selection for several years. Apparently that's changed in the last 9 months or so.
― Marty McBrundlefly (Deric W. Haircare), Sunday, 1 April 2012 19:39 (twelve years ago) link
fwiw, its been in like the last few weeks. i was in there again on Friday and the entire display was gone, but I forgot to ask about it. disappointing because it was the one place i knew i could find them. oddly enough, none of the big chains downtown carry any of these.
― stan this sick bunt (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Sunday, 1 April 2012 21:50 (twelve years ago) link
Greenlight bookstore in Fort Greene usually has a nice lil stash of em. and an impressive selection of other music writing given the bookstore's size
― caulk the wagon and float it, Sunday, 1 April 2012 21:59 (twelve years ago) link
I get mine from the library mostly (although I do own a few.)
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Sunday, 1 April 2012 22:27 (twelve years ago) link
They've shot me down twice so far, but I plan to pitch again.
― Nate Carson, Monday, 2 April 2012 00:55 (twelve years ago) link
I still think Use Your Illusion is the best in the series that I've read.
― Nate Carson, Monday, 2 April 2012 00:57 (twelve years ago) link
the Sound Garden in Baltimore usually keeps a nice amount of 33 1/3s on their bookshelf
― Eisbaerg Slim (some dude), Monday, 2 April 2012 00:58 (twelve years ago) link
I thought for years about proposing a Dolly Parton's Coat Of Many Colors volume, but my theoretical approach was obliquely similar to that ultimately used by Carl Wilson, so I never did much with it. Plus there's that whole thing where I'm in no way a professional writer, so whatevs.
― Marty McBrundlefly (Deric W. Haircare), Monday, 2 April 2012 01:16 (twelve years ago) link
re: chicago, they have a pretty good selection of these at the Book Cellar in Lincoln Square.
― deploying a sewer otter unit (askance johnson), Monday, 2 April 2012 01:18 (twelve years ago) link
I also bought a bunch of half price remaindered copies at Powell's in Chicago but, again, it's been a while.
― Marty McBrundlefly (Deric W. Haircare), Monday, 2 April 2012 01:29 (twelve years ago) link
Ordered the "Song Cycle" one from Amazon today. They had only 1 left in stock!
― Lawanda Pageboy (Capitaine Jay Vee), Monday, 2 April 2012 02:41 (twelve years ago) link
i pitched one of these once (for Thursday's 'War All the Time'). it seems to me that for various (very legitimate) reasons these really need to be about [relatively] well-known albums in order to have any shot at being marketable and all the good album stories i'd want to tell are for albums that a) not enough people have heard of or b) no one has heard of. if i could figure out a spin on a more well-known album that would let me do my thing on it, i might pitch again but i'm at a loss :/
― Mordy, Monday, 2 April 2012 20:46 (twelve years ago) link
Chicago dudes: there's a decent selection available at the Book Cellar in Lincoln Sq.
― Cuba Pudding, Jr. (jaymc), Monday, 2 April 2012 21:25 (twelve years ago) link
i feel like i see them everywhere
― congratulations (n/a), Monday, 2 April 2012 21:31 (twelve years ago) link
10 kindle books $1 each. What's good?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_362668562_3?docId=1000789181
― the acquisition and practice of music is unfavourable to the health of (abanana), Saturday, 14 April 2012 13:15 (twelve years ago) link
At that price, I'll probably get them all.
― improvised explosive advice (WmC), Saturday, 14 April 2012 13:27 (twelve years ago) link
Nation Of Millions and Low out of those ten (that I've read).
― Conan The Asshander (Doran), Saturday, 14 April 2012 13:56 (twelve years ago) link
yow that is a steal. almost makes me wish i owned a kindle.
― tylerw, Saturday, 14 April 2012 17:11 (twelve years ago) link
I don't own a kindle either, but there's a free app that allows you to read kindle books on your Mac (and I think there's one for PC and phone). Got Nation, VGPS, Low, can't wait to jump in.
― Dancing with Mr. T (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Saturday, 14 April 2012 17:14 (twelve years ago) link
Nations and PB are both fun.
― Thoughts? You must have loads. (a hoy hoy), Saturday, 14 April 2012 19:16 (twelve years ago) link
Calibre will also convert Kindle format to ePub format if that's your thing too.
― Reality Check Cashing Services (Elvis Telecom), Saturday, 14 April 2012 21:33 (twelve years ago) link
I don't have a Kindle, but the Kindle app for the iPad is free. Bought all ten this morning.
― improvised explosive advice (WmC), Saturday, 14 April 2012 21:46 (twelve years ago) link
Pixies and NMH are both rly great IMO
― Time, a group with Jam and Lewis (Stevie D(eux)), Sunday, 15 April 2012 00:37 (twelve years ago) link
I bought them all except the Johnny Cash (don't give a shit about those recordings) and the Beach Boys (because of lukewarm reviews).
― the acquisition and practice of music is unfavourable to the health of (abanana), Sunday, 15 April 2012 01:07 (twelve years ago) link
wait wait
(don't give a thorns about those recordings)
xpost Elvis, I thought Kindle books were DRM'd though? Can Calibre epub them in spite of that?
― tales from endoscopic oceans (Jon Lewis), Sunday, 15 April 2012 01:08 (twelve years ago) link
I bought most these thinking I could put them on my non-Kindle ereader... turns out not. Can't even get to the damn files from their cloud reader bullshit. Ugh, fuck Amazon.
― smash williams, Sunday, 15 April 2012 13:27 (twelve years ago) link
I bought most these thinking I could put them on my non-Kindle ereader... turns out not. Can't even get to the damn files from their cloud reader bullshit. Ugh, fuck Amazon. --smash williams
What's your ereader?
― azealia canks (Whiney G. Weingarten), Sunday, 15 April 2012 13:33 (twelve years ago) link
Dang, I missed it.
― Fastnbulbous, Sunday, 15 April 2012 14:06 (twelve years ago) link
xpost... Kobo.
― smash williams, Sunday, 15 April 2012 15:35 (twelve years ago) link
Calibre should convert them for you. You just need to download the plugin that allows it.
― svend, Sunday, 15 April 2012 16:07 (twelve years ago) link
Maybe I'm overlooking something obvious, but how do I download the files from the cloud reader so that I can convert them with Calibre?
― smash williams, Sunday, 15 April 2012 16:15 (twelve years ago) link
Amazon should have given you an option to download them as .azw (think that is right) files.
― svend, Sunday, 15 April 2012 16:20 (twelve years ago) link
Was able to get them by downloading the Kindle for Mac app then downloading the books there. It puts the azw files in the Library folder. Now to strip the DRM and convert them to epub.
Thanks for the help.
― smash williams, Sunday, 15 April 2012 16:46 (twelve years ago) link
http://www.salon.com/2012/04/17/jonathan_lethems_perfect_album
― Iago Galdston, Tuesday, 17 April 2012 23:26 (twelve years ago) link
damn, too slow!
― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Friday, 20 April 2012 10:36 (twelve years ago) link
yeah Fear of Music would have to have more uptempo songs to be a perfect album imo
― lathe darkman (some dude), Friday, 20 April 2012 12:50 (twelve years ago) link
Anybody else writing their proposal this weekend?
― Nate Carson, Sunday, 29 April 2012 04:44 (twelve years ago) link
Nate, I hope you're proposing a Fly To The Rainbow book. I think you'd absolutely kill it.
― EZ Snappin, Sunday, 29 April 2012 05:21 (twelve years ago) link
That would be awesome, but I'm going for something even more obvious ;)
― Nate Carson, Sunday, 29 April 2012 10:53 (twelve years ago) link
Damn. Got it submitted within 50 minutes of the deadline! Many thanks to the expert proofing by EZ Snappin and my buddy Bob Ham.
― Nate Carson, Tuesday, 1 May 2012 03:11 (twelve years ago) link
sent mine 9 minutes ago. going bowling to celebrate!
― (The Other) J.D. (J.D.), Tuesday, 1 May 2012 03:17 (twelve years ago) link
good luck nate and anyone else who tried their hand at this!
Good luck everybody!
― EZ Snappin, Tuesday, 1 May 2012 03:17 (twelve years ago) link
Hell yeah J.D. (J.D.)!
I feel like an immense weight has lifted off me. Now I'm off to DJ a metal show!
― Nate Carson, Tuesday, 1 May 2012 03:43 (twelve years ago) link
Hey everybody, John Mark from Continuum here. Thanks to everyone who submitted a proposal this time around. I'm looking forward to getting schooled.
Also, just a note about stores that carry the series: We can make the book available to them and ask them to re-order, but ultimately, it's a store's call if they want to dedicate the shelf space and $$$ to bring the books into the store. So if you notice a store that used to have a good selection and has let it fall off, ask them about it and then buy some when they get them in stock! They will be more vigilant about it if they're making a buck.Other stores I know of that do well with the series: Skylight in LA, Sonic Boom in Seattle, Atomic Records in Baltimore, Greenlight in Brooklyn, Word in Greenpoint...and uh, I know I'm missing a bunch here. Anyway, Amazon is good in a pinch, but I'm probably preaching to the choir when I say that the indies need the support.
IN OTHER NEWS: Anyone want a 33 1/3 tote bag? It's a nice high-contrast black and white design. First 5 people to email their address to johnm✧✧✧.bol✧✧✧@bloomsb✧✧✧.c✧✧ will get one in the mail. First two will get a signed copy of the Lethem/Talking Heads 33 1/3 as a bonus.
― JMB, Tuesday, 1 May 2012 19:30 (twelve years ago) link
make that johnmark dot boling at bloomsbury dot com.
― JMB, Tuesday, 1 May 2012 19:31 (twelve years ago) link
OK, that was fast... tote bags got snatched up quick.
― JMB, Tuesday, 1 May 2012 19:43 (twelve years ago) link
Tote bags are gone, so no need to send any more emails, please. thanks. I'm sending out six bags since caller #2 (fair and square) was a friend.
― JMB, Tuesday, 1 May 2012 20:15 (twelve years ago) link
I'm so lucky to live in Portland near Powell's. They always have the latest 33 1/3 in stock.
Cheers JMB!
― Nate Carson, Tuesday, 1 May 2012 21:22 (twelve years ago) link
Oh yeah, Powell's is great, duh. There's lots of bonus content here on their blog, conveniently tagged as 33 1/3.
― JMB, Tuesday, 1 May 2012 21:28 (twelve years ago) link
posted this over in the fear of music thread but it's relevant here:LA Review of Books has some great content about Fear of Music (in relation to Lethem's new 33 1/3 book)In-depth review: http://lareviewofbooks.org/article.php?id=587Podcast w/ Lethem (interviewed by Andy Zax, who produced all the recent Talking Heads reishes): http://lareviewofbooks.org/media.php?media=183&r_article=597
― tylerw, Tuesday, 1 May 2012 21:29 (twelve years ago) link
471 proposals this time. Wow! A lot of great ones that I would buy...
― Nate Carson, Wednesday, 2 May 2012 09:53 (twelve years ago) link
http://www.33third.blogspot.pt/2012/05/listomania.html ^^ full list. some odd choices, as expected (3 jandek proposals, for example). kinda sad there aren't some more electronic/dance records overall. still, would really love to read a good book on klf's 'chill out' - wonder if it was proposed by someone from ilm.
― rusty_allen, Wednesday, 2 May 2012 18:12 (twelve years ago) link
so have they decided that they'll re-do artists who have already been featured in the series? a lot of the proposals are repeats.
― tylerw, Wednesday, 2 May 2012 18:16 (twelve years ago) link
iirc they said a while ago that they were open to repeating artists but haven't actually done so yet
― Neil Young’s social media channels (some dude), Wednesday, 2 May 2012 18:22 (twelve years ago) link
ah ok. at this point it probably makes sense to do some repeats.
― tylerw, Wednesday, 2 May 2012 18:25 (twelve years ago) link
there are already some repeat artist books -- 2 on the stones, 2 on radiohead.
― (The Other) J.D. (J.D.), Wednesday, 2 May 2012 18:26 (twelve years ago) link
oh no kidding? did not know that.
― tylerw, Wednesday, 2 May 2012 18:27 (twelve years ago) link
De La Soul Is Dead is the biggest "yes, that needs to be a book" album on the list for me
― Neil Young’s social media channels (some dude), Wednesday, 2 May 2012 18:28 (twelve years ago) link
yeah, that'd be good! was just telling my friend that he should submit a go betweens proposal -- looks like a couple people beat him to it!
― tylerw, Wednesday, 2 May 2012 18:30 (twelve years ago) link
also kind of intrigued by the idea of a volume on I, Jonathan, though it seems like a book about the Modern Lovers debut is more likely.
― tylerw, Wednesday, 2 May 2012 18:31 (twelve years ago) link
i love that album so i liked seeing it ont he list, even though yeah it does seem a little implausible
― Neil Young’s social media channels (some dude), Wednesday, 2 May 2012 18:33 (twelve years ago) link
lol thank me later
― Neil Young’s social media channels (some dude), Wednesday, 2 May 2012 18:34 (twelve years ago) link
bunch of repeats in that list, they should've sorted them alphabetically...
The Mountain Goats All Hail West TexasThe Mountain Goats All Hail West TexasThe Mountain Goats All Hail West TexasThe Mountain Goats All Hail West TexasThe Mountain Goats All Hail West Texas
― koogs, Thursday, 3 May 2012 12:33 (twelve years ago) link
Artists getting more than one proposal:
The Mountain Goats (6)Bob Dylan (5)Manic Street Preachers (4)Pet Shop Boys (4)Richard Hell (incl. Voidoids) (4)The Beatles (4)Van Halen (4)Wilco (4)Danger Mouse (3)Fiona Apple (3)Frank Zappa (inc. MOI) (3)Fugazi (3)Jandek (3)John Lennon (incl. w/Yoko) (3)Rush (3)The Beach Boys (3)The Go-Betweens (3)The Mekons (3)The Monkees (3)The Waterboys (3)They Might Be Giants (3)Van Morrison (3)X (3)
― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 3 May 2012 12:40 (twelve years ago) link
surprised there's no Blur/Suede/Pulp in that list* and like FOUR Van Halen proposals! (no offence, fans of The Halen).
*nor books on them already.
― piscesx, Thursday, 3 May 2012 12:55 (twelve years ago) link
Dog Man Star is in there
― willem, Thursday, 3 May 2012 13:18 (twelve years ago) link
...but if you meant in that list of multiple proposals please ignore my post
― willem, Thursday, 3 May 2012 13:22 (twelve years ago) link
wld read the shit out of a AHWT book. Also The Grey Album. Also a bunch more. Aw hell, here I go to amazon.
Should have pitched a EtWT one as the other one died.
― Thoughts? You must have loads. (a hoy hoy), Thursday, 3 May 2012 14:31 (twelve years ago) link
whoever's gone for True Stories is outta their heads. i get the idea of some non-canon albums being better than the canon album of band X (Tusk over Rumours or whatever) or having better behind-the-scenes stories attached, so making for better books (De La Soul Is Dead over 3 Feet High.. ) but True Stories.. gimme a break that album's garbage. *give me a hundred pages about Remain In Light*!!
― piscesx, Thursday, 3 May 2012 16:05 (twelve years ago) link
144 interesting pages about a mediocre album >>>>>>>>>> 144 boring pages about a great album
― improvised explosive advice (WmC), Thursday, 3 May 2012 16:12 (twelve years ago) link
true, but that requires some mighty assumptions about which book would turn out boring or interesting
― Neil Young’s social media channels (some dude), Thursday, 3 May 2012 16:13 (twelve years ago) link
imo after they pick which ones to publish 33 1/3 should do something like share all of the pitches and let people vote on one. actually n/m i'm sure whatever act has the most rabid online fanbase would hijack that. but it would be fun to see the pitches.
― Neil Young’s social media channels (some dude), Thursday, 3 May 2012 16:14 (twelve years ago) link
xpost
I guess...? My only point is that the quality (or lack of quality) of the album/subject doesn't rub off on any analysis of it. I'd love to see a Bizarro-world 33 1/3 Series about really bad albums, reportage and historical analysis about how these turds got made, what the principals were thinking, how they tried to polish said turds, etc.
― improvised explosive advice (WmC), Thursday, 3 May 2012 16:20 (twelve years ago) link
oh totally. a lot of my fav albums in the series are ones that aren't dragged down by a tone of awestruck fandom.
― Neil Young’s social media channels (some dude), Thursday, 3 May 2012 16:24 (twelve years ago) link
a Bizarro-world 33 1/3 Series about really bad albums,http://www.continuumbooks.com/books/image.aspx?BookId=125649kind of what this volume is about....
― tylerw, Thursday, 3 May 2012 16:27 (twelve years ago) link
wmc otm
i mean, eg céline
ha xp!
― liberté, égalité, beyoncé (lex pretend), Thursday, 3 May 2012 16:27 (twelve years ago) link
though the point of that book was not dismissing it as a bad album
― liberté, égalité, beyoncé (lex pretend), Thursday, 3 May 2012 16:28 (twelve years ago) link
yeah, no, it wasn't really about dissing the album, more just the idea of writing a book about something you don't really like.
― tylerw, Thursday, 3 May 2012 16:30 (twelve years ago) link
whoever's gone for True Stories is outta their heads. i get the idea of some non-canon albums being better than the canon album of band X (Tusk over Rumours or whatever) or having better behind-the-scenes stories attached, so making for better books (De La Soul Is Dead over 3 Feet High.. ) but True Stories.. gimme a break that album's garbage.
I would so love to read a cogent take on, say, how quickly Byrne's ideas ossified. Then after a long wilderness period the band returns to a new level of authority and influence.
― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 3 May 2012 16:36 (twelve years ago) link
The best stuff I've heard regarding True Stories were Stephen Tobolowsky's experiences on working on the film and how he became the inspiration for the song Radio Head based on psychic experiences that he had in his youth.
On the topic of the list, I'm certainly baffled by the presence of "Music from and Inspired by Mission Impossible 2".
― MarkoP, Thursday, 3 May 2012 16:52 (twelve years ago) link
Wld love to read a Kimono My House book.
― Dale, dale, dale (Abbbottt), Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:45 (twelve years ago) link
Just went to Amazon.co.uk to buy three of these (Paul's Boutique, Music from Big Pink, Village Green) and some of the reviews for this series are brutal. So many angry one-star slams from aggrieved fans of the albums. Is, say, Amanda Petrusich's Pink Moon really that bad?
― Get wolves (DL), Wednesday, 16 May 2012 12:12 (eleven years ago) link
I ordered the Paul's Boutique one yesterday.
― Sick Mouthy (Scik Mouthy), Wednesday, 16 May 2012 12:13 (eleven years ago) link
I know that the talking-point books are deservedly the more ambitious essays/memoirs/novellas but with some albums I just want a really solid, persuasive making-of story.
― Get wolves (DL), Wednesday, 16 May 2012 12:17 (eleven years ago) link
Yes, many of them, sadly but predictably, are rubbish.
― Lil' Kim Philby (Call the Cops), Wednesday, 16 May 2012 12:20 (eleven years ago) link
I really enjoyed the Zaireeka one and the Celine Dion one. I liked Geeta's Another Green World one, too. I've not read any others, I don't think.
― Sick Mouthy (Scik Mouthy), Wednesday, 16 May 2012 12:21 (eleven years ago) link
The ones I want (of albums I love) generally seem to get poor reviews.
― Sick Mouthy (Scik Mouthy), Wednesday, 16 May 2012 12:22 (eleven years ago) link
the paul's boutique book is a solid 3/5 i'd say. when these books are good, they're great - thinkin' specifically the 'riot goin' on' volume, which is gangbusters - but when they suck, like the one on daydream nation or the one on 'songs in the key of life' that's mouldering in my rucksack and that i never want to gaze on again, the sense of an opportunity squandered (not to mention the inept, self-indulgent writing involved) awakens the HULK SMASH in me tbh.
― It was you. Miming to Tenacious D. (stevie), Wednesday, 16 May 2012 12:29 (eleven years ago) link
Which are the best?
1 Dusty in Memphis- Dusty Springfield 1969 Warren Zanes2 Forever Changes -Love 1967 Andrew Hultkrans3 Harvest -Neil Young 1972 Sam Inglis4 The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society -The Kinks 1968 Andy Miller5 Meat Is Murder- The Smiths 1985 Joe Pernice6 The Piper at the Gates of Dawn- Pink Floyd 1967 John Cavanagh7 ABBA Gold: Greatest Hits -ABBA 1992 Elisabeth Vincentelli8 Electric Ladyland -The Jimi Hendrix Experience 1968 John Perry9 Unknown Pleasures- Joy Division 1979 Chris Ott10 Sign “☮” the Times - Prince 1987 Michaelangelo Matos11 The Velvet Underground & Nico - The Velvet Underground 1967 Joe Harvard12 Let It Be -The Beatles 1970 Steve Matteo13 Live at the Apollo -James Brown 1963 Douglas Wolk14 Aqualung-Jethro Tull 1971 Allan Moore15 OK Computer-Radiohead 1997 Dai Griffiths16 Let It Be -The Replacements 1984 Colin Meloy17 Led Zeppelin IV -Led Zeppelin 1971 Erik Davis18 Exile on Main St. -The Rolling Stones 1972 Bill Janovitz19 Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys 1966 Jim Fusilli20 Ramones- Ramones 1976 Nicholas Rombes21 Armed Forces -Elvis Costello 1979 Franklin Bruno22 Murmur- R.E.M. 1983 J. Niimi23 Grace - Jeff Buckley 1994 Daphne Brooks24 Endtroducing..... -DJ Shadow 1996 Eliot Wilder25 Kick Out the Jams - MC5 1969 Don McLeese26 Low - David Bowie 1977 Hugo Wilcken27 Born in the U.S.A. -Bruce Springsteen 1984 Geoffrey Himes28 Music from Big Pink -The Band 1968 John Niven29 In the Aeroplane over the Sea- Neutral Milk Hotel 1998 Kim Cooper30 Paul's Boutique -Beastie Boys 1989 Dan Le Roy31 Doolittle - Pixies 1989 Ben Sisario32 There's a Riot Goin' On -Sly and the Family Stone 1971 Miles Marshall Lewis33 The Stone Roses -The Stone Roses 1989 Alex Green34 In Utero-Nirvana 1993 Gillian G. Gaar35 Highway 61 Revisited -Bob Dylan 1965 Mark Polizzotti36 Loveless -My Bloody Valentine 1991 Mike McGonigal37 The Who Sell Out -The Who 1967 John Dougan38 Bee Thousand - Guided by Voices 1994 Marc Woodworth39 Daydream Nation -Sonic Youth 1988 Matthew Stearns40 Court and Spark -Joni Mitchell 1974 Sean Nelson41 Use Your Illusion I and II -Guns N' Roses 1991 Eric Weisbard42 Songs in the Key of Life-Stevie Wonder 1976 Zeth Lundy43 The Notorious Byrd Brothers -The Byrds 1968 Ric Menck44 Trout Mask Replica -Captain Beefheart 1969 Kevin Courrier45 Double Nickels on the Dime -Minutemen 1984 Michael T. Fournier46 Aja -Steely Dan 1977 Don Breithaupt47 People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm - A Tribe Called Quest 1990 Shawn Taylor48 Rid of Me -PJ Harvey 1993 Kate Schatz49 Achtung Baby -U2 1991 Stephen Catanzarite50 If You're Feeling Sinister - Belle & Sebastian 1996 Scott Plagenhoef51 Pink Moon -Nick Drake 1972 Amanda Petrusich52 Let's Talk About Love -Celine Dion 1997 Carl Wilson53 Swordfishtrombones -Tom Waits 1983 David Smay54 20 Jazz Funk Greats - Throbbing Gristle 1979 Drew Daniel55 Horses -Patti Smith 1975 Philip Shaw56 Master of Reality -Black Sabbath 1971 John Darnielle57 Reign in Blood - Slayer 1986 D.X. Ferris58 Shoot Out the Lights -Richard and Linda Thompson 1982 Hayden Childs59 Gentlemen -The Afghan Whigs 1993 Bob Gendron60 Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash -The Pogues 1985 Jeffery T. Roesgen61 The Gilded Palace of Sin - The Flying Burrito Brothers 1969 Bob Proehl62 Pink Flag -Wire 1977 Wilson Neate63 XO - Elliott Smith 1998 Mathew Lemay64 Illmatic -Nas 1994 Matthew Gasteier65 Radio City - Big Star 1974 Bruce Eaton66 One Step Beyond... - Madness 1979 Terry Edwards67 Another Green World - Brian Eno 1975 Geeta Dayal68 Zaireeka The Flaming Lips- 1997 Mark Richardson69 69 Love Songs -The Magnetic Fields 1999 LD Beghtol70 Facing Future - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole 1993 Dan Kois71 It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back -Public Enemy 1988 Christopher R. Weingarten72 Wowee Zowee -Pavement 1995 Bryan Charles73 Highway to Hell- AC/DC 1979 Joe Bonomo74 Song Cycle -Van Dyke Parks 1968 Richard Henderson75 Spiderland - Slint 1991 Scott Tennent76 Kid A - Radiohead 2000 Marvin Lin77 Tusk - Fleetwood Mac 1979 Rob Trucks78 Pretty Hate Machine Nine Inch Nails 1989 Daphne Carr79 Chocolate and Cheese Ween 1994 Hank Shteamer80 American Recordings Johnny Cash 1994 Tony Tost81 Some Girls The Rolling Stones 1978 Cyrus Patell82 You're Living All Over Me Dinosaur Jr. 1987 Nick Attfield83 Marquee Moon Television 1977 Bryan Waterman84 Amazing Grace Aretha Franklin 1972 Aaron Cohen 85 Dummy Portishead 1994 RJ Wheaton86 Fear of Music Talking Heads 1979 Jonathan Lethem
― Sick Mouthy (Scik Mouthy), Wednesday, 16 May 2012 12:36 (eleven years ago) link
Thanks to the Amazon 99¢ ebook sale, I was able to grab a whole bunch of these.
I read the Paul's Boutique and It Takes A Nation Of Millions... books on my trip last week and liked them both. I agree that the Paul's book is around a 3/5 - lot's of good information, if not the most engaging volume. Whiney's PE book was definitely a step above that. Much more engaging.
I also read the Kinks Village Green which was pretty rough. I wouldn't read it again, that's for sure.
― EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 12:38 (eleven years ago) link
I'm interested in reading these:
2 Forever Changes -Love 1967 Andrew Hultkrans8 Electric Ladyland -The Jimi Hendrix Experience 1968 John Perry15 OK Computer-Radiohead 1997 Dai Griffiths16 Let It Be -The Replacements 1984 Colin Meloy23 Grace - Jeff Buckley 1994 Daphne Brooks24 Endtroducing..... -DJ Shadow 1996 Eliot Wilder25 Kick Out the Jams - MC5 1969 Don McLeese26 Low - David Bowie 1977 Hugo Wilcken30 Paul's Boutique -Beastie Boys 1989 Dan Le Roy31 Doolittle - Pixies 1989 Ben Sisario32 There's a Riot Goin' On -Sly and the Family Stone 1971 Miles Marshall Lewis33 The Stone Roses -The Stone Roses 1989 Alex Green36 Loveless -My Bloody Valentine 1991 Mike McGonigal47 People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm - A Tribe Called Quest 1990 Shawn Taylor48 Rid of Me -PJ Harvey 1993 Kate Schatz49 Achtung Baby -U2 1991 Stephen Catanzarite50 If You're Feeling Sinister - Belle & Sebastian 1996 Scott Plagenhoef51 Pink Moon -Nick Drake 1972 Amanda Petrusich62 Pink Flag -Wire 1977 Wilson Neate71 It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back -Public Enemy 1988 Christopher R. Weingarten75 Spiderland - Slint 1991 Scott Tennent76 Kid A - Radiohead 2000 Marvin Lin85 Dummy Portishead 1994 RJ Wheaton86 Fear of Music Talking Heads 1979 Jonathan Lethem
― Sick Mouthy (Scik Mouthy), Wednesday, 16 May 2012 12:41 (eleven years ago) link
the live at the apollo james brown book was a pleasure to read.
― It was you. Miming to Tenacious D. (stevie), Wednesday, 16 May 2012 12:46 (eleven years ago) link
I thought the Loveless was great.
― EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 12:48 (eleven years ago) link
xp Oh balls, I just ordered Village Green. I blame the ILX Kinks poll. I've read the following:
Great - There's a Riot, Low, Sign O' the Times, Live at the Apollo, Nation of Millions, Another Green World, Let's Talk About Love - apart from the Carl Wilson, which is its own thing, they're all well-crafted making-ofs with an intelligent spinSolid if you just want the basis back story for reference - In an Aeroplane, Kick Out the Jams, Loveless, Unknown PleasuresWaste of time - Armed Forces (infuriatingly, it's structured alphabetically by theme - lots of repetition and confusion)
I've heard from many source that the OK Computer one is a crashing bore Nick.
― Get wolves (DL), Wednesday, 16 May 2012 12:55 (eleven years ago) link
Village Green has some great information about tracks and recording, but the author occasionally tosses in his opinions to no purpose ("this is the worst song Ray ever wrote", "throw away song x") when he is otherwise absent. Also, it is a bit stilted and dull. I learned a lot from it but didn't enjoy the time with it at all.
― EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 12:59 (eleven years ago) link
MY favorite is still Darnielle's Black Sabbath book, despite it being only sort of related to the record. One of the most moving novella's I've ever read. My wife, who has no use for Sabbath at all, also found it quite moving.
― EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 13:01 (eleven years ago) link
I'm reading the Marquee Moon book right now and it's pretty good, although really it's more about the band's early history way more than the album itself -- I'm like 2/3rds through and it just got to the point where they add "See No Evil" to the setlist -- but since there's probably never going to be a proper biographical book about Television I'm kind of ok with that.
― some dude, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 13:13 (eleven years ago) link
Avoid the Ok Computer one, it's truly sterile.
Thought the Loveless and Low ones were great though.
― AnotherDeadHero, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 13:15 (eleven years ago) link
of the over a dozen i've read, only a few were ones Sick is interested in -- Electric Ladyland and Nation of Millions are really good, Let It Be is really not
― some dude, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 13:15 (eleven years ago) link
The Beatles or The Replacements 'Let it Be'? I'm quite interested in checking out the Replacements one although I understand it's one of those album-inserted-into fictional-tale ones so I'm not sure.
― AnotherDeadHero, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 13:44 (eleven years ago) link
LOW one is brilliant. AJA is probs my fave so far though.
― piscesx, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 13:51 (eleven years ago) link
the 'Mats one is the one Sick and and I were referring to
it's not a work of fiction, just far more autobiographical than about the album itself
― some dude, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 13:54 (eleven years ago) link
I prefer the ones about how they put the album together, the writing and recording process. I'm really not interested in how the author was affected by this album when they were 17.
For example, waiting in line at a record store with Black Francis and watching him peel off the cellophane to what may be the 36th Doolittle CD he's bought and driving around Oregon listening to the tracks, that was a solid 3/5, if not more.
― pplains, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 13:59 (eleven years ago) link
A+: Zoso, Master Of Reality, Sign O The TimesB: Bee ThousandC-: Forever Changes
― Hierophantiasis (Jon Lewis), Wednesday, 16 May 2012 16:23 (eleven years ago) link
Yeah, Loveless / Doolittle / In the Aeroplane all really great, really revealing making-of's
OK Computer is terrible.
― a parker full of poseys (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 16 May 2012 16:46 (eleven years ago) link
some good ones that iirc delve pretty deeply into the making of the albums: The Who Sell Out, Aja, Nation of Millions, Armed Forces, In Utero, Exile, Double Nickels, Zep IV
― some dude, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 16:58 (eleven years ago) link
Double Nickels is really good, especially when its honest enough to say about "You Need The Glory", "What do you say about two minutes of weird percussion and a guy making nonsense sounds?"
― pplains, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 17:01 (eleven years ago) link
This is how I would rate the one's I have read:
A+Led Zeppelin IV -Led Zeppelin 1971 Erik DavisLow - David Bowie 1977 Hugo WilckenMaster of Reality -Black Sabbath 1971 John DarnielleLet's Talk About Love -Celine Dion 1997 Carl Wilson
ASign “☮” the Times - Prince 1987 Michaelangelo MatosUse Your Illusion I and II -Guns N' Roses 1991 Eric WeisbardAja -Steely Dan 1977 Don Breithaupt
BKid A - Radiohead 2000 Marvin Lin
CArmed Forces -Elvis Costello 1979 Franklin Bruno
FLet It Be -The Replacements 1984 Colin Meloy
― sofatruck, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 17:04 (eleven years ago) link
Reading Pink Flag made me realize how much I love that record and why, which is as much as I can ask of any of these.
― Trip Maker, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 17:09 (eleven years ago) link
Armed Forces -Elvis Costello 1979 Franklin Brunohuh, i have a friend who highly recommended this one -- not good?
― tylerw, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 22:05 (eleven years ago) link
Let It Be and Dusty in Memphis were my least favorites of the fifteen or so I've read.
― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 16 May 2012 22:06 (eleven years ago) link
Court and Spark is top five.
i liked the jerry wexler bits of dusty in memphis, but yeah, wasn't crazy about the memoir-y stuff.
― tylerw, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 22:07 (eleven years ago) link
The Who Sell Out is great, as is Amazing Grace (probably the best book on Aretha out there at the moment). Kick Out The Jams isn't bad, but is less about the album and more of a condensed history of the MC5. Kinks Village Green is useful, if spotty and borderline-annoying in places.
― Tarfumes The Escape Goat, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 22:13 (eleven years ago) link
Agreed re: Amazing Grace. Just started Lethem's Fear of Music, which I think might be best understood less as a standalone book and more as a complement to Fortress of Solitude.
― Punned Sheerest, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 22:20 (eleven years ago) link
yeah, probably! i just bought that one today as a matter of fact.
― tylerw, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 22:22 (eleven years ago) link
Fear of Music is really good. I would also recommend Lethem's recent book on John Carpenter's They Live which is even better.
― Professor Respect, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 22:34 (eleven years ago) link
tyler fwiw armed forces is probably my favorite (not counting master of reality here because it feels like a totally separate thing)
― jesus christ (strongo hulkington's ghost dad), Wednesday, 16 May 2012 23:05 (eleven years ago) link
Armed Forces has a unique format, one that just wasn't for me. ymmv.
― sofatruck, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 23:08 (eleven years ago) link
i didn't know there was an aja one, gotta check that out.
― Bandersnatch Cumberbund (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 16 May 2012 23:14 (eleven years ago) link
I've only read 4, an they were all good to great - still, i did some "research" beforehand (reviews, ILM, etc), so it wasn't like I bought them unknowingly.
20 jazz funk greats - absolutely stunninglet's talk about loveuse your illusion I & IIsign o'the times
I was interested in reading the 'aja' one, but I've read some people complaining that it's too focused on the technical side, so...dunno. also, is the 'tusk' one really that bad?
― rusty_allen, Thursday, 17 May 2012 01:14 (eleven years ago) link
Aja has more technical stuff than most of these books (as it should, tbh) but i don't feel it gets bogged down by that if you're not interested in it, there's also a lot of passion and personality in it.
Armed Forces one is very good but the author probably should've just let the alphabetical organization thing behind in an earlier draft.
― some dude, Thursday, 17 May 2012 01:22 (eleven years ago) link
Of the ones I've read, 20 Jazz Funk Greats sets the standard. But I haven't gotten to the celebrated Celine Dion yet.
― Träumerei, Thursday, 17 May 2012 01:27 (eleven years ago) link
I've had the Celine on a shelf for a couple of years too.
Some I can remember reading from Scik's list:
13 Live at the Apollo -James Brown 1963 Douglas Wolk
This one is just magnificent, great writing and wildly ambitious for the economical space – cramming analysis of the highly-edited album, Brown’s career, development of the songs, actual full-length live takes and wide, wide cultural allusions.
24 Endtroducing..... -DJ Shadow 1996 Eliot Wilder
This is simply one long interview with Shadow, basically a good, uncut Uncut feature rather than either a book or detailed sample-nerdery text.
30 Paul's Boutique -Beastie Boys 1989 Dan Le Roy
REALLY good magazine style piece that leans heavily on interviews with people around the band at the time (aiming to do this more than quote other contemporary journalism), but no contact with the band.
56 Master of Reality -Black Sabbath 1971 John Darnielle
This is an epistolary novella, and is absolutely fantastic. Combines the author’s own life and employment experience with love of the genre to make a short sharp blast of writing about how the record speaks to an important element of its audience.
59 Gentlemen -The Afghan Whigs 1993 Bob Gendron
Way too skimpy – tries to cram a potted biography of the band in, then cover this rich album in too few pages. Not bad as such though – I would totally have read two sequels on Black Love and 1965.
66 One Step Beyond... - Madness 1979 Terry Edwards
Session trumpeter writing from a fan perspective, with a hefty page count. If you have to choose between reading this and watching Take It Or Leave It, the latter probably has more insight.
69 69 Love Songs -The Magnetic Fields 1999 LD Beghtol
Aims to be as arch and genre-playful as the album itself, being largely a glossary of terms, semi-largely a rundown on each song with members and friends of the band, small-ly an interview with Merritt, and minorly a crossword, iirc. Also includes frequent instructions to consult a detailed website for further information, which has been broken for about five of the six years the book has been out.
71 It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back -Public Enemy 1988 Christopher R. Weingarten
Really slapdash – has no or almost no contact with any personnel, AFAIR, and so feels more like a 1980s-style cuttings-bio with ambitions. Hey, it’s sampling, maan! The ambitions are largely sampled from other sources, too, though – there’ll be occasional attempts at scraping in wider cultural references like Wolk did (say a several page digression into Wattstax, or something), peripatetic outbursts of cod-Dave-Tompkins, and such. A real letdown coming after that amazing, rich, and so much briefer piece in Wax Poetics.
― ┗|∵|┓ (sic), Thursday, 17 May 2012 02:58 (eleven years ago) link
Can someone give me a thumbnail of why Led Zeppelin IV and Use Your Illusion are so good? I'm not much of a Zeppelin fan and I've never even heard the G'n'R record but I'm assuming from all the recommendations that there's something more to these books.
― Get wolves (DL), Thursday, 17 May 2012 09:13 (eleven years ago) link
Most of the ones I've read have been good but I'd pick these as my absolute favourites:
10 Sign “☮” the Times - Prince 1987 Michaelangelo Matos29 In the Aeroplane over the Sea- Neutral Milk Hotel 1998 Kim Cooper30 Paul's Boutique -Beastie Boys 1989 Dan Le Roy32 There's a Riot Goin' On -Sly and the Family Stone 1971 Miles Marshall Lewis36 Loveless -My Bloody Valentine 1991 Mike McGonigal38 Bee Thousand - Guided by Voices 1994 Marc Woodworth56 Master of Reality -Black Sabbath 1971 John Darnielle
Anyone read the Beefheart one?
― Gavin, Leeds, Thursday, 17 May 2012 09:26 (eleven years ago) link
Whoops, meant to include this one too:
― Gavin, Leeds, Thursday, 17 May 2012 09:28 (eleven years ago) link
I've ordered Low, Paul's Boutique, and Loveless as a birthday present to myself.
― Sick Mouthy (Scik Mouthy), Thursday, 17 May 2012 11:23 (eleven years ago) link
I've read 50 of the books. Some of my favorites have been mentioned already (Master of Reality, Sign O the Times, Low, Live at the Apollo, In the Aeroplane..., 69 Love Songs). Two others that I really enjoyed, that I don't think have been mentioned - Pretty Hate Machine (great focus on fan culture and understanding fandom) and Exile on Main Street (nothing super revelatory in it, but he does a great job describing the music itself, what it sounds like).
I'm not generally a fan of the straight-ahead 'making of the album' ones, or most of the fiction ones (I did kind of like the Rid of Me one). And often the ones I like the least are about the albums I like the most - Bee Thousand and Swordfishtrombones, especially.
― erasingclouds, Thursday, 17 May 2012 14:59 (eleven years ago) link
I will rep for the Tribe book, re-read it recently after seeing the film documentary and enjoyed it better second time around.
― Dick Move's Wardrobe (MaresNest), Thursday, 17 May 2012 15:08 (eleven years ago) link
20 Jazz Funk Greats is my favourite book on music after Giles Smith's Lost in Music. Otherwise I've only read the Master of Reality one (superb) and the Abba Gold one (not worth more than the 50p it cost me tbh).
― Blue Collar Retail Assistant (Dwight Yorke), Thursday, 17 May 2012 18:09 (eleven years ago) link
Not sure how familiar you are with Erik Davis' work, but he writes a lot about pop mysticism. His book on Zep IV isn't really about the band at all (thankfully), but about how the album has become a talisman of low-brow occult symbology. It's also howlingly funny.
The book on Piper At The Gates Of Dawn is great because it side-steps the obligatory "Syd was crazy you know" stories for a pretty detailed analysis of how the album was put together.
― Vini Reilly Invasion (Elvis Telecom), Thursday, 17 May 2012 21:09 (eleven years ago) link
Least favorite book of all is the Murmur one. Frustratingly so too... Just could not get engaged with the writing at all.
― Vini Reilly Invasion (Elvis Telecom), Thursday, 17 May 2012 21:10 (eleven years ago) link
yeah i liked the piper one -- some good interviews w/ people around the periphery of the floyd scene of that time.
― tylerw, Thursday, 17 May 2012 21:11 (eleven years ago) link
The latest list has been narrowed down to 94 potential titles:
http://33third.blogspot.com/2012/06/94.html
― Position Position, Friday, 1 June 2012 17:44 (eleven years ago) link
Diamanda Galas Malediction and Prayer
haaa, unless they've got a ringer for this one, we've got a new contender for lowest selling 33 1/3.
― tylerw, Friday, 1 June 2012 17:49 (eleven years ago) link
Either it's a typo, or 2112 simply cannot be contained in a single volume. I'm betting the latter.
― Tarfumes The Escape Goat, Friday, 1 June 2012 17:54 (eleven years ago) link
Fingers crossed for Replicas, Wee Tam and Beauty & The Beat!
― but he go's to a resturang and then die in a toilet (Jon Lewis), Friday, 1 June 2012 17:56 (eleven years ago) link
There were multiple proposals for 2112. Maybe they haven't decided which way to go.
― EZ Snappin, Friday, 1 June 2012 18:05 (eleven years ago) link
and this one : Nocturnal Emissions Spiritflesh
― rusty_allen, Friday, 1 June 2012 18:06 (eleven years ago) link
i like that nocturnal emissions album. its a good one.
― scott seward, Friday, 1 June 2012 18:08 (eleven years ago) link
Nocturnal Emissions: Spiritflesh by Stephen King
― tylerw, Friday, 1 June 2012 18:13 (eleven years ago) link
jesus, arular already?
― jump them into a gang - into the absurd (forksclovetofu), Friday, 1 June 2012 19:16 (eleven years ago) link
I looove that Nocturnal Emissions record, one of my favorites of theirs.
― sleeve, Friday, 1 June 2012 19:51 (eleven years ago) link
Can anyone rep for the Master of Reality tome?
― calstars, Friday, 1 June 2012 19:56 (eleven years ago) link
oh, god yes. excellent sort of fiction. one of the best ones in the series, imo
― epigram addict (outdoor_miner), Friday, 1 June 2012 20:40 (eleven years ago) link
Yeah, don't delay on Master Of Reality. It shreds.
― but he go's to a resturang and then die in a toilet (Jon Lewis), Friday, 1 June 2012 21:20 (eleven years ago) link
I read the Loveless one this morning. It was pretty good.
― Sick Mouthy (Scik Mouthy), Friday, 1 June 2012 22:27 (eleven years ago) link
mine didn't make the cut. :(
i enjoyed 'master of reality' a lot, but drew daniel's '20 jazz funk greats' is my favorite book from the series that i've read so far. i think someone said this already, but the 'village green' book is like a really good, long article in mojo -- not gonna blow your mind or anything, but strong research and lots of good quotes from most of the band members (except ray, IIRC).
― (The Other) J.D. (J.D.), Friday, 1 June 2012 23:03 (eleven years ago) link
I'd be curious enough to read Bat out of Hell and 2112, stepping stones to the gargantuan Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness volume I'm waiting for.
― Träumerei, Friday, 1 June 2012 23:51 (eleven years ago) link
I really hope they do a Fugazi one someday.
― Walter Galt, Saturday, 2 June 2012 14:27 (eleven years ago) link
There was a whole load of these in a local charity shop... one of those upmarket charity shops which are actually more expensive than most non-charity shops. Bought the "Village Green" one.
― Charles Kennedy Jumped Up, He Called 'Oh No'. (Tom D.), Saturday, 2 June 2012 14:34 (eleven years ago) link
Would read the heck out of Donuts, 2112 and Back In The DHSS. Meantime tho? zzzzzzzz
― MaresNest, Saturday, 2 June 2012 15:27 (eleven years ago) link
I'd really like to know who wrote the other 2112 proposal. Ultimately seems a good sign that both made it.
― Nate Carson, Saturday, 2 June 2012 17:00 (eleven years ago) link
Fear of Music reviewed in tomorrow's NYT; the critic incorrectly says Lethem saw Stop Making Sense in 1982.
― go down on you in a thyatrr (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 2 June 2012 17:04 (eleven years ago) link
Finished Fear Of Music a few weeks back. i guess I'm not a Lethem fan because I was annoyed with the writing about halfway through.
― Pacific Rinko (Capitaine Jay Vee), Saturday, 2 June 2012 19:51 (eleven years ago) link
― go down on you in a thyatrr (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, June 2, 2012 1:04 PM (2 hours ago) Bookmark
the writer stopped making sense in 2012 then, har har har
keep looking at the 94 potential titles and trying to find something, anything to get excited about and it's kinda hard. look at how fucking corny the selection of hip hop albums is:
The Pharcyde Bizarre Ride II the PharcydeJ Dilla DonutsOutkast StankoniaKanye West My Beautiful Dark Twisted FantasyEminem The Slim Shady LPDanger Mouse The Grey AlbumJay-Z The BlueprintThe Game The DocumentaryInsane Clown Posse The Great MilenkoDrake Thank Me LaterLauryn Hill The Miseducation of Lauryn HillJay-Z The Blueprint
― kel ler/pharmacists (some dude), Saturday, 2 June 2012 19:57 (eleven years ago) link
Anyone have a shelf of these and want to share a pic? I read ebooks these days but this is one series that I would love to collect paperbacks of.
― calstars, Saturday, 2 June 2012 20:05 (eleven years ago) link
Well, outside of the Danger Mouse, The Game, Drake, and Kanye selections I would probably read about all the rest of those. I think, a solid author provided, a good story could be pulled from the rest of them - particularly Slim Shady LP, Donuts, and Pharcyde.
― heated debate over derpy hooves (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Saturday, 2 June 2012 20:06 (eleven years ago) link
yeah there's definitely some good albums in there that could inspire worthwhile books, but the spectrum of that selection is stiflingly "rap that rock critics like"
― kel ler/pharmacists (some dude), Saturday, 2 June 2012 20:16 (eleven years ago) link
What rap albums wouldn't be "rap that rock critics like" though? The Great Milenko btw haha.
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Saturday, 2 June 2012 20:23 (eleven years ago) link
there's a whole canon of countless albums revered by rap fans that don't have the same kind of cachet with rock critics (often different albums by the same artists)
― kel ler/pharmacists (some dude), Saturday, 2 June 2012 20:38 (eleven years ago) link
They also probably don't have the same cachet with readers of 33 1/3 books either.
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Saturday, 2 June 2012 20:47 (eleven years ago) link
ehh nevermind, this is the circular conversation that's happened on ILM a thousand times before, "music writers focus on the same tired canon because that's what people who read about music tend to be interested in, the snake eats its tail, nothing every changes" etc.
― kel ler/pharmacists (some dude), Saturday, 2 June 2012 20:49 (eleven years ago) link
No no I definitely see your point. Looking over the list it IS very "these were big Pazz N Jop favs". I guess I'm just wondering how obscure you'd have to go to avoid that and whether or not the people who buy these books (or check em out from the library) would even be interested in them.
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Saturday, 2 June 2012 20:54 (eleven years ago) link
(xp)The endless inner groove of a 33 1/3 record.
― Ian Hunter Is Learning the Game (James Redd and the Blecchs), Saturday, 2 June 2012 20:55 (eleven years ago) link
Hip-hop doesn't really do "reclamation" projects does it? Trying to think if there is something equivalent to Big Star or the Velvet Underground or whatever where it was basically largely ignored upon release and then suddenly everyone goes "ohmigod this was IT, lets reissue, write books, hail the forgotten influence, etc."
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Saturday, 2 June 2012 21:00 (eleven years ago) link
hahaha, I think UGK alone could disprove that thesis
― The Reverend, Saturday, 2 June 2012 21:03 (eleven years ago) link
Not really sure how. It's not like Ridin Dirty was some completely unheard masterpiece (it sold pretty well on release IIRC). And it was guesting on a Jay-Z track that blew them up not people revisiting their old stuff and suddenly finding time for them.
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Saturday, 2 June 2012 21:12 (eleven years ago) link
i would say maybe the majority of rap albums regarded as classics grew into that status gradually, lot of things that seemed to everybody like perfectly good or unremarkable workaday records started to feel significant given how big the artist became or who followed their lead. or popular regional things that only later become universally regarded critical favorites. not a lot of total flops and unheard records that got rediscovered, though.
― kel ler/pharmacists (some dude), Saturday, 2 June 2012 23:26 (eleven years ago) link
did anyone read the Fear of Music one yet? i was really disappointed, and the chapter on eno must have fallen out of mine because he hardly mentioned him once...are you kidding? And I'm a fan of his other writing!
― Iago Galdston, Sunday, 3 June 2012 00:59 (eleven years ago) link
Only 253 people heard The Joralemon Street Team's Borough Hall B-Boyz but every one of them became either a DJ, a Rapper, or a Minister of Information.
― I don't know what to read so I am reading it here (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 3 June 2012 01:15 (eleven years ago) link
"i would say maybe the majority of rap albums regarded as classics grew into that status gradually"
I feel like at least for the "rock canon" hip hop records (Paid In Full, It Take A Million, 3 Feet, Illmatic, 36 Chambers, The Chronic, Ready To Die, Supa Dupa Fly or whatnot) were all pretty highly regarded on release. But yeah I do agree that something like Ridin Dirty becomes a lot more like "oh this is the UGK record you must own" or whatever once they blow up.
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Sunday, 3 June 2012 03:08 (eleven years ago) link
― kel ler/pharmacists (some dude), Saturday, June 2, 2012 3:16 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
to be fair that category probably has 90% overlap with "rap that corny indie fuxors will buy an entire book about"
know your audience i mean
― flesh, the devil, and a wolf (wolf) (amateurist), Sunday, 3 June 2012 07:17 (eleven years ago) link
whatever, guys. the point is there's a shit ton of great rap albums that don't already have 33 1/3 books that would sell as well as any other rap-themed entry in the series, and they're considering greenlighting shit about poorly aging mid-'00s heirlooms like The Documentary and The Grey Album.
― kel ler/pharmacists (some dude), Sunday, 3 June 2012 10:33 (eleven years ago) link
The rap books (except Beasties) are some of the worst sellers for them
― rock the swagon and g.o.a.t. it (Whiney G. Weingarten), Sunday, 3 June 2012 13:06 (eleven years ago) link
Actually pretty much any book about a black person who isn't Hendrix
― rock the swagon and g.o.a.t. it (Whiney G. Weingarten), Sunday, 3 June 2012 13:07 (eleven years ago) link
Any 331/3 that is: check the stats, and that goes for the AWESOME James Brown book that everyone ( including me) loves, and the awesome sly stone book
― rock the swagon and g.o.a.t. it (Whiney G. Weingarten), Sunday, 3 June 2012 13:09 (eleven years ago) link
http://www.33third.blogspot.com/2011/09/league-table-sept-2011.html
― rock the swagon and g.o.a.t. it (Whiney G. Weingarten), Sunday, 3 June 2012 13:23 (eleven years ago) link
the fact that the rap books sell bad no matter what doesn't change the fact that when they do them they should be as good as yours or the other worthwhile ones -- if anything that means why bother with fucking Thank Me Later
― kel ler/pharmacists (some dude), Sunday, 3 June 2012 14:27 (eleven years ago) link
That league table goes to show that most people don't read reviews or recommendations. They love OK Computer and they're going to buy a shitty book about it no matter how many one-star Amazon reviews it gets. Meanwhile some of the best-loved ones - PE, James Brown, Prince, Sly, Throbbing Gristle - languish in the bottom half. Celine Dion looks like the only one in the Top 20 that's clearly selling off the back of its prose rather than the album.
― Get wolves (DL), Monday, 4 June 2012 09:18 (eleven years ago) link
I would never avoid a book on the basis of a zillion one-star Amazon reviews. The 33 1/3 brand is supposed to be a guarantee of quality, so it makes sense that the best selling books will be about the best selling albums on the list. You'd expect to see a correlation there.
― my father will guide me up the stairs to bed (anagram), Monday, 4 June 2012 10:00 (eleven years ago) link
yeah, that's why multi-platinum international superstars Neutral Milk Hotel are at the top of the chart
― typhus in Corfu (Noodle Vague), Monday, 4 June 2012 10:10 (eleven years ago) link
if the 33 1/3 brand is a guarantee of quality, i'd like my money for the atcq book back.
― The Reverend, Monday, 4 June 2012 10:12 (eleven years ago) link
xp It's not the best-selling albums - it's the most significant ones to a certain audience.
I've never seen this brand as a guarantee of quality. It's always been wildly variable.
― Get wolves (DL), Monday, 4 June 2012 10:38 (eleven years ago) link
I see this brand as a guarantee that the odds are against you.
― Lil' Kim Philby (Call the Cops), Monday, 4 June 2012 12:53 (eleven years ago) link
like American justice
― go down on you in a thyatrr (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 4 June 2012 12:54 (eleven years ago) link
I've never seen this brand as a guarantee of quality. It's always been wildly variable
sure, you and I and ILM realize that but I'm not sure the casual browser in Waterstones or Amazon would.
― my father will guide me up the stairs to bed (anagram), Monday, 4 June 2012 13:42 (eleven years ago) link
personally i think one of the series' greatest strengths is that each volume is such a relatively small investment of time/money that it's not a huge disappointment if a book here or two misses the mark, if it enables them to take a risk on publishing so many (often great) little books by mostly unknown authors on pretty niche topics. consistency is sacrificed for the sake of other virtues.
― kel ler/pharmacists (some dude), Monday, 4 June 2012 13:50 (eleven years ago) link
That league table goes to show that most people don't read reviews or recommendations the books that have been available for the longest amount of time have generally sold the most copies--with a few notable exceptions. The league table thing is more of an interesting thing to look at, sort of like amazon "sales ranks" (which may or may not have anything to do with sales), but as a piece of information it's not incredibly useful.
I agree that some are better than others, and the series IS wildly variable, but it's interesting to see how many people both love and hate the more outre books and how many people both love and hate the volumes that focus on mic placement and chord progressions, etc. So it boils down to different strokes/folks, really. I'm of the opinion that that variability is a big part of the reason the series has continued, where other similar projects have fizzled out.
― JMB, Monday, 4 June 2012 14:28 (eleven years ago) link
Maybe. I'd be interested to know how many owners of the OK Computer book really rate it though - I haven't heard a good word about it. Even taking into account the obvious advantage of being published earlier (hey I noticed that too), sales suggest that a mediocre-to-bad book about a prestige album will sell more than a brilliant one about a more niche one. (Unfortunately for the purposes of 33 1/3 buyers albums by black artists, even when they're the biggest stars of their day, count as niche.) Unsurprising, perhaps, but discouraging. The good news coming out of the figures as that the books continue to sell, albeit modestly. A lot of music books published the same year as the first 33 1/3 batch are out of print by now.
― Get wolves (DL), Monday, 4 June 2012 15:32 (eleven years ago) link
Let's just say that I agree that some are better than others and leave it at that... but your point about the books continuing to sell and stay in print is a good one.It's also worth noting when looking at the league table that when the series began in 2003, the economy was strong, there were many more indie and chain bookshops, and e-books were more of a futuristic notion than a reality. Kindle sales aren't tallied into the league table list. I would venture to guess that it would look VERY different if so.
― JMB, Monday, 4 June 2012 15:45 (eleven years ago) link
[Though I will also say that while publishing a not-good book about a prestige album may be a safer bet, the editor is in no way cynical enough to do that on purpose.]
― JMB, Monday, 4 June 2012 15:50 (eleven years ago) link
Of course. Nobody publishes a bad book on purpose. They still have to pay the writer the same. And I haven't read anything unpublishably bad - dull or gimmicky seems to as bad as it gets.
Interesting that ebook sales aren't counted in that table.
― Get wolves (DL), Monday, 4 June 2012 19:10 (eleven years ago) link
I didn't know you could even get these as eBooks. Are they Kindle only? Because they certainly aren't available for the Nook.
― heated debate over derpy hooves (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Monday, 4 June 2012 21:25 (eleven years ago) link
I got some Kindle ones during that sale and put them on my Nook. Problem solved.
― EZ Snappin, Monday, 4 June 2012 21:53 (eleven years ago) link
yeah, i missed out on that sale and i'm not sure i would have figured out how to transer them without screwing it all up
― heated debate over derpy hooves (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Monday, 4 June 2012 21:55 (eleven years ago) link
I just googled how to remove it with Calibre plug-in and Voila!
― EZ Snappin, Monday, 4 June 2012 21:56 (eleven years ago) link
Another review of Lethem's book, which I totally forgot about. Will Kindle it today: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/159606-fear-of-music/
― Fastnbulbous, Thursday, 14 June 2012 14:08 (eleven years ago) link
Portishead book is overlong and goes nowhere basically.
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Thursday, 14 June 2012 14:42 (eleven years ago) link
there's really no way of telling which ones are considered any good/ better than any other with these things you know, when you're in a shop. usually front and back covers of music books (in the UK at least) are covered in rave quotes but there's rarely (if ever?) press quotes on a given 33.. book, just usually chatter about the series in general inside somewhere. i know some ILX folk might consider themselves above all that stuff and that's fair do's, but if i read say, a real rave from The Graun, The Indy or whatever on a cover, or from a writer i like then it will get me that bit more psyched.
― piscesx, Thursday, 14 June 2012 15:39 (eleven years ago) link
yeah it's not like there's a lot of easy ways to observe or measure consensus about diff't books in the series outside of, like, this thread
― bronytheus (some dude), Thursday, 14 June 2012 15:40 (eleven years ago) link
Even this thread isn't totally in agreement about all but like maybe the top five.
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Thursday, 14 June 2012 15:51 (eleven years ago) link
I'm still pissed I missed the Kindle sale. Most of these are priced at $8.99, which I think is too high for a mini e-book. That said, along with Fear Of Music, I do want to buy one of the following: Marquee Moon, You’re Living All Over Me, Another Green World, Pink Flag, Horses, Swordfishtrombone, Troutmaskreplica, Rid Of Me. Decisions, decisions.
― Fastnbulbous, Thursday, 14 June 2012 16:22 (eleven years ago) link
Don't buy YLAOM. Another Green World is great.
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Thursday, 14 June 2012 16:36 (eleven years ago) link
Marquee Moon and YLAOM aren't great books but i enjoyed them well enough as a fan of the albums
― bronytheus (some dude), Thursday, 14 June 2012 16:38 (eleven years ago) link
Me too on the Dino Jr, not great lit but really satisfying if you love the album. I couldn't get into the Eno one...
― Iago Galdston, Friday, 22 June 2012 01:13 (eleven years ago) link
The Paul's Boutique one I've just read is in the enjoyably solid category. The prose is rock-crit boilerplate but it's a great story, thoroughly researched, which shines a light on A&R man Tim Carr and co-producer Matt Dike, who, to my shame, I didn't realise was such a big part of the sound of the album. The second half is, again, methodical rather than inspired but does a good job of explaining the samples and lyrical references: basically extended sleevenotes.
Lethem's Fear of Music is one of the best I've read. It wrongfooted me into thinking it would be a quasi-memoir but it's really a story of obsession spanning 30 years. So many ideas, so wittily put across. It made me hear the record with fresh ears, which is what all the best 33 1/3 books do.
― Get wolves (DL), Friday, 29 June 2012 15:55 (eleven years ago) link
Looks like the chosen few will be announced shortly. Just received my rejection email :-(
― scooterboy, Saturday, 28 July 2012 19:40 (eleven years ago) link
Me too. Neither 2112 proposal made it to the finals.
― Nate Carson, Saturday, 28 July 2012 23:07 (eleven years ago) link
That's a real bummer.
― EZ Snappin, Saturday, 28 July 2012 23:11 (eleven years ago) link
Never read the Replacements one. Some of the others are OK, nothing spectacular.
― You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. (hugo), Sunday, 29 July 2012 02:10 (eleven years ago) link
That is, do yourself a favor and never read.
― You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. (hugo), Sunday, 29 July 2012 02:11 (eleven years ago) link
Or whatever. Read it godgammit.
― You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. (hugo), Sunday, 29 July 2012 02:12 (eleven years ago) link
Sry
― You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. (hugo), Sunday, 29 July 2012 02:13 (eleven years ago) link
lol @ "do yourself a favor and never read."
― Nutri Grane (some dude), Sunday, 29 July 2012 03:51 (eleven years ago) link
That's from Philip Larkin, innit?
― Like Monk Never Happened (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 29 July 2012 03:54 (eleven years ago) link
I also received an email yesterday rejecting my proposal. I simply can't understand it. I had such high hopes for my book about the Sulayiti Kalungi Ensemble of Kampala's classic album "Uganda - Music of the Baganda People" that I'd gone ahead and started researching and writing it. I'd already made two trips out to Kampala and was planning a third.
The thing is, the Ganda people - of whose daily life, rituals and spirit this album is the most transcendent encapsulation, as I explain in Chapter 36 - aren't doing too well at the moment, economically or spiritually. There was the big topsoil erosion last year, of course, then the desecration of their traditional burial grounds, a shocking atrocity I cover in depth in Chapter 70. Things are on a knife-edge. It could go either way for the Ganda.
Over the last few months, news that this book was likely to appear spread like wildfire through these disheartened people, and on my last trip I saw a new sparkle in the eyes of their children. "David Barker will give his assent to a book about the Ganda through Bloomsbury Publishing," said one little girl, her feet bare because her parents can't afford shoes. "At long last all is turning out for our people!"
I'm not a superstitious man, but I swear that birds in those desecrated burial grounds were heard singing again after decades of silence. There was even a rumour that Kintu and Nambi - the Adam and Eve of the Ganda - were said to be planning a great rally in Kampala to congratulate the fifty-two re-united tribes and preside over an entire week of feasting, music, dancing, jubilation and thanksgiving sacrifice to the ancestral spirits.
And then this. Civil war is a virtual inevitability in Buganda now, and the tribal heartlands will soon be an open wound searing with ebola, anthrax and vermin as orphaned children stagger between burning huts, screeching the names of parents whose machete-hacked flesh is already being stripped from their skeletons by wild dogs. Barker you bastard.
― Grampsy, Sunday, 29 July 2012 13:01 (eleven years ago) link
scoring from the judges on this one?
― I dont even know that I think this sucks per se (forksclovetofu), Sunday, 29 July 2012 14:08 (eleven years ago) link
I'm guessing they'll announce the final 18 on Monday morning. Curious.
― Nate Carson, Sunday, 29 July 2012 16:08 (eleven years ago) link
I am not in the writing business. What are the advantages of being a part of this series over self-publishing?
― abanana, Sunday, 29 July 2012 16:15 (eleven years ago) link
distribution. a brand that people recognize. and the fact that nobody reads self-published books unless they are about teen werewolves.
― scott seward, Sunday, 29 July 2012 16:29 (eleven years ago) link
OTM Scott.
Getting three rejections from Continuum has definitely made me re-evaluate how important it is to have a contract in advance though. I personally believe that if I just write a good book, it will get published. Time to quit putting the cart before the horse.
― Nate Carson, Monday, 30 July 2012 21:10 (eleven years ago) link
Latest batch to get commissioned:
Andrew WK: I Get Wet, by Phillip CrandallAphex Twin: Selected Ambient Works Vol II, by Marc WeidenbaumBeach Boys: Smile, by Luis SanchezBjork: Biophilia, by Nicola DibbenBobbie Gentry: Ode to Billie Joe, by Tara MurthaDanger Mouse: The Grey Album, by Charles FairchildDead Kennedys: Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables, by Mike FoleyDevo: Freedom of Choice, by Evie NagyGang of Four: Entertainment! by Kevin DettmarHole: Live Through This, by Anwyn CrawfordJ Dilla: Donuts, by Jordan Ferguson Kanye West: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, by Kirk Walker GravesMichael Jackson: Dangerous, by Susan FastOasis: Definitely Maybe, by Alex NivenRichard Hell and the Voidoids: Blank Generation, by Pete Astor Serge Gainsbourg: Histoire de Melody Nelson, by Darran AndersonSigur Ros: ( ), by Ethan HaydenThey Might Be Giants: Flood, by Alex Reed and Philip Sandifer
http://www.33third.blogspot.com/2012/08/18-new-titles.html
― Position Position, Friday, 31 August 2012 16:22 (eleven years ago) link
nice interesting variety, gotta say
― some dude, Friday, 31 August 2012 16:46 (eleven years ago) link
Richard Hell and the Voidoids: Blank Generation, by Pete Astor
The Weather Prophets/Wisdom of Harry dude?
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 31 August 2012 16:48 (eleven years ago) link
(Not saying that in a surprised way, I could totally see that being an album he locked into as punk started happening.)
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 31 August 2012 16:49 (eleven years ago) link
Any ilxors in there?
― get you ass to mahs (abanana), Friday, 31 August 2012 16:55 (eleven years ago) link
just Nicola "deeznuts" Dibben
― some dude, Friday, 31 August 2012 16:59 (eleven years ago) link
Intrigued by at least 5 of those.
― Bobby-fil-A (WmC), Friday, 31 August 2012 17:02 (eleven years ago) link
who's the guy doing the dilla?
― This cad needs a cordial introduction to Eugene of Oxbow. (forksclovetofu), Friday, 31 August 2012 17:06 (eleven years ago) link
five women total.
― scott seward, Friday, 31 August 2012 17:18 (eleven years ago) link
(represented in 3 books. 3 out of 18.)
― scott seward, Friday, 31 August 2012 17:19 (eleven years ago) link
evie nagy i know her!
― scott seward, Friday, 31 August 2012 17:20 (eleven years ago) link
evie rulz
― jjjdoom (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 31 August 2012 17:24 (eleven years ago) link
got totally fucking excited at dude love writing a dead kennedys book. and... oh, MIKE foley.
donuts should be great. and live through this. kanye will suck because you can't be all 'lol cocaine' yet. grey album has potential.
lol the bjork choice.
― a hoy hoy, Friday, 31 August 2012 18:01 (eleven years ago) link
I recently read the one on the use your illusion albums and it was quite terrible. Looking forward to the AWK one though.
― Poliopolice, Friday, 31 August 2012 18:14 (eleven years ago) link
Most interesting one here is TMBG, at least in theory.
― Johnny Fever, Friday, 31 August 2012 18:20 (eleven years ago) link
yeah i have high hopes for that one
― some dude, Friday, 31 August 2012 18:24 (eleven years ago) link
Professor Dettmar splits his research and teaching between British & Irish modernism, esp. James Joyce, and contemporary popular music
Oh, that's who is writing the Gang of Four one.
― curmudgeon, Friday, 31 August 2012 18:31 (eleven years ago) link
Could be good
― curmudgeon, Friday, 31 August 2012 18:32 (eleven years ago) link
I love Selected Ambient Works Vol II but cannot imagine how a book on that will work. Because RDJ is obviously not going to be involved.
― Position Position, Friday, 31 August 2012 19:56 (eleven years ago) link
That's the one that intrigues me the most. Must have been a hell of a pitch.
― Bobby-fil-A (WmC), Friday, 31 August 2012 20:23 (eleven years ago) link
You can read the pitch for Selected Ambient Works II on Marc Weidenbaum's ambient music blog:http://disquiet.com/2012/08/31/saw2for33third/
― MarkoP, Friday, 31 August 2012 21:33 (eleven years ago) link
Always thought of WK as a novelty act and hen he goes and gets a 33 1/3 volume and a Best New Reissue from P4k on the same day.
― this is the dream of avril and chad (jer.fairall), Friday, 31 August 2012 21:56 (eleven years ago) link
Especially by Sandifer, I'm rly excited for that one and wld like to buy and read it today
― itt: i forgot that he yells at a butt (sic), Friday, 31 August 2012 22:32 (eleven years ago) link
that's the 'brony bump,' you're going to be seeing a lot of that in the next few years (xpost)
― some dude, Friday, 31 August 2012 22:40 (eleven years ago) link
Bjork: Biophilia, by Nicola Dibben
This is gonna be a "fascinating critique of a great artist's shortcomings" type of defense, right?
― Eric H., Saturday, 1 September 2012 01:17 (eleven years ago) link
probably more of a "lots of non-musical/technical stuff surrounding the project to delve into" type of book
― cute, banned, alert (some dude), Saturday, 1 September 2012 01:20 (eleven years ago) link
would definitely feel better about them doing books about such recently released albums if there had already been 33 1/3s about earlier Bjork and Kanye records
― cute, banned, alert (some dude), Saturday, 1 September 2012 01:21 (eleven years ago) link
Genuinely excited about Bobbie Gentry book
― Elvis Telecom, Saturday, 1 September 2012 01:25 (eleven years ago) link
Not sure how that Bjork album got in the list? Assuming the writer already was involved in writing about said contemporary album and was able to successfully roll it into a book.
― your native bacon (mh), Saturday, 1 September 2012 02:41 (eleven years ago) link
Don't know who Mike Foley is but that DKs album (and the band's whole history) definitely deserves analysis.
― 誤訳侮辱, Saturday, 1 September 2012 02:46 (eleven years ago) link
― your native bacon (mh), Friday, August 31, 2012 10:41 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark
well people submit pretty extensive proposals, and they apparently liked that proposal
― cute, banned, alert (some dude), Saturday, 1 September 2012 10:35 (eleven years ago) link
i mean, given the fact that there have been some fairly lousy books about great canonical albums in the series in the past, i think offbeat picks like that are actually kind of a good sign that they're looking out for really convincing proposals that would make engaging books rather than greenlighting things because they're about canonical albums everyone loves and wants to read about
― cute, banned, alert (some dude), Saturday, 1 September 2012 10:37 (eleven years ago) link
I'm willing to bet the Bjork book is going to focus a ton on technology and interaction and a good deal of it will be abt the iOS app and maybe her live setup
― clijster flockhart (Stevie D(eux)), Saturday, 1 September 2012 14:58 (eleven years ago) link
yeah it makes sense to write about in the same way Zaireeka did
― cute, banned, alert (some dude), Saturday, 1 September 2012 15:03 (eleven years ago) link
offbeat picks like that are actually kind of a good sign that they're looking out for really convincing proposals that would make engaging books
It seemed like the Use Your Illusion book was only chosen because it was the non-obvious pick. It had very little of value to say about the albums, and actually talked more about Appetite for Destruction than UYI. Regardless, all these offbeat picks makes you wonder how this functions as an actual business model.
― Poliopolice, Saturday, 1 September 2012 15:46 (eleven years ago) link
i disagree and think UYI was one of the best books in the series so hey
― cute, banned, alert (some dude), Saturday, 1 September 2012 15:49 (eleven years ago) link
really? it hardly talked about the albums at all, seeking instead to talk at length about the band, their history, their fans, their disastrous concerts, their influence, and everything else except the actual albums at hand-- all which conveyed quite clearly that the author was no fan of GNR. In fact, the author states upfront that he hadn't heard the albums in 15 years, and still hadn't before writing the majority of the book. This was presented as a positive thing. When it finally got to the songs, it was presented as a fairly half-assed song-by-song analysis at the end, totaling about 10-15 pages or so.
― Poliopolice, Saturday, 1 September 2012 16:08 (eleven years ago) link
it hardly talked about the albums at all, seeking instead to talk at length about the band, their history, their fans, their disastrous concerts, their influence, and everything else except the actual albums at hand-- all which conveyed quite clearly that the author was no fan of GNR.
yeah this is not accurate imo
― cute, banned, alert (some dude), Saturday, 1 September 2012 16:09 (eleven years ago) link
Marc who is writing the Aphex one is a brilliant sound-thinker, I bet this will kick ass.
― Lewis Apparition (Jon Lewis), Saturday, 1 September 2012 16:44 (eleven years ago) link
oh yeah, i left out the huge personal bloglike sides that litter the book, which also have little to do with the albums. how are you gonna write a good book about an album you haven't listened to in 15 years?
― Poliopolice, Saturday, 1 September 2012 17:04 (eleven years ago) link
xp Use Your Illusion made sense in this series IMO because the story of their implosion is more compelling than the story of their rise and the success of Appetite.. I thought it was great.
― billstevejim, Saturday, 1 September 2012 18:54 (eleven years ago) link
sometimes the records that are most heralded or most popular don't always generate the best discussion... I don't think any of the album choices are "offbeat" as long as there's something worth saying about them.
― billstevejim, Saturday, 1 September 2012 19:03 (eleven years ago) link
Glad to see Entertainment! but what I'd really like to see - Hex Enduction Hour. Why no Fall yet?
― Silvercigarette, Sunday, 2 September 2012 18:24 (eleven years ago) link
Poliopolice, did you miss the part where Weisb@rd goes song by song?
― a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 2 September 2012 18:29 (eleven years ago) link
man I really feel that Rocks or Toys in the Attic (but to me Rocks is the one) ought to get one of these. Does anybody even pitch Aerosmith albums? I mean actual Aerosmith albums. We were an awesome band for about six years and we made some classic records!!
― we don't wanna miss a THING!!! (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Sunday, 2 September 2012 18:50 (eleven years ago) link
I wonder if those are albums that would hold up to sustained analysis, though. Sure, there'd be plenty of lurid drug stories and I-hate-your-wife-so-I-wrote-this-song-about-how-much-I-hate-your-wife psychodrama, but as far as actual detailed musical analysis, I don't know what there would be to say. The songs are killer, but they're also not particularly formally or technically innovative - they're just really good songs, played by a perfect combination of complementary musicians. Which is on the one hand all you need, but on the other hand really fucking hard to write about in a compelling way.
― 誤訳侮辱, Sunday, 2 September 2012 18:55 (eleven years ago) link
feel like if someone pitched an aerosmith album it'd be kind of a lol klosterpaws one about Get a Grip and have long alicia silverstone digressions, sorry to say. i'd read something that actually took 70s hard rock seriously, though.
― tylerw, Sunday, 2 September 2012 19:06 (eleven years ago) link
i'd read something that actually took 70s hard rock seriously, though.
Me too. Could you imagine, say, Joe Carducci doing a 33 1/3 book about Rocks?
― 誤訳侮辱, Sunday, 2 September 2012 19:10 (eleven years ago) link
yeah, carducci was who i was thinking of! he is really the only person i can think of who would do it, who'd be less interested in the sordid stuff and more into how the music does what it does? not sure if he likes aerosmith though.
― tylerw, Sunday, 2 September 2012 19:13 (eleven years ago) link
Excited about SAWII. And reading that proposal convinced me to break out "Passion," which is a great ambient record (of a sort) in its own right.
― Josh in Chicago, Sunday, 2 September 2012 19:33 (eleven years ago) link
i wanna read the new talking heads one.
― This Is... The Police (dog latin), Monday, 3 September 2012 13:25 (eleven years ago) link
Keeping in mind that I'm a hardcore Lethem fanboy, it's pretty awesome.
Reading Loveless right now. Very entertaining and well written, plus it seems to have some ILM connections!
― this is the dream of avril and chad (jer.fairall), Monday, 3 September 2012 14:20 (eleven years ago) link
I read the Tom Waits one a wee while back. Not sure what I thought of it, although it felt worthwhile at the time. The Paul's Boutique one is pretty good too.
I have If You're Feeling Sinister ready to read but I don't know if I can be fucked - is it any good?
― This Is... The Police (dog latin), Monday, 3 September 2012 15:02 (eleven years ago) link
"i'd read something that actually took 70s hard rock seriously, though."
you stay here, i'll be right back!
― scott seward, Monday, 3 September 2012 15:57 (eleven years ago) link
No, I did mention that:
the author states upfront that he hadn't heard the albums in 15 years, and still hadn't before writing the majority of the book. This was presented as a positive thing. When it finally got to [discussing] the songs, it was presented as a fairly half-assed song-by-song analysis at the end, totaling about 10-15 pages or so.
The analysis of the songs seemed very half-hearted to me. It felt like that part was only there because if he left it out, there would have been very little in the book that was specific to these albums.
As a meandering personal essay about the author's feelings on GNR, and GNR's place in the canon of music, it's a decent, if trifling book... but as an expository essay on the Use Your Illusion albums proper, I'd say it was not illuminating in the least bit, and in fact spent very little time talking about them. The Amazon reviews corroborate this.
― Poliopolice, Tuesday, 4 September 2012 16:15 (eleven years ago) link
Except uh he's not trying to write an expository essay of UYI so who cares.
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 16:22 (eleven years ago) link
Then the title of the book should not be "Use Your Illusion."
― Poliopolice, Tuesday, 4 September 2012 16:34 (eleven years ago) link
Brr. I read the one on "Low" based on recommendations from this thread. I didn't like it that much. The historical stuff had some dynamite writing, but it was pretty strange to see "serious anecdotes" from "serious Bowie biographies" put side-by-side with sordid details from Angela Bowie's tell-all book. Admittedly, Angela's account is totally hilarious and interesting but she eats a lot of crow in that book-- the first chapter talks about Bowie's dick iirc-- so to read her account blended together with more serious interview-based stuff read to me as meta-narrative?
The track-by-track chapters were hit-and-miss for me, too. There was a paragraph about Eno/Bowie beating Burroughs and/or Stockhausen at their own game that made me frustrated and sad. Hugo's a good writer though, would read his other books.
― would smash pumpkins (Ówen P.), Wednesday, 12 September 2012 13:15 (eleven years ago) link
i liked the one on loveless. it was rather personal and was based a lot on interviews with the band, esp. kevin shields. i didn't realise before that loveless is almost a solo album by kevin except bilinda's singing.
― alex in mainhattan, Wednesday, 12 September 2012 14:36 (eleven years ago) link
My two year old niece brought me the 20 Jazz Funk Greats book and asked "Can we play with this?"
I have no idea what she meant but I'm gonna play her some very inappropriate music tomorrow. I have a feeling I've got a very small and very cute Cosey fan here.
― kraudive, Saturday, 6 April 2013 00:51 (eleven years ago) link
look tasty all in a row don't they.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/482718_10151572603944273_13098934_n.jpg
― piscesx, Saturday, 6 April 2013 01:08 (eleven years ago) link
the next one up; FLOOD by They Might Be Giants, is a bit of a surprise
― piscesx, Saturday, 6 April 2013 01:11 (eleven years ago) link
how so?
― Devendra Bumhat (sic), Saturday, 6 April 2013 01:13 (eleven years ago) link
TMBG aren't as alt/indie canon as a lot of bands of their generation that have had 33 1/3s, so it's a little surprising, mostly just nice that they're going for a cult classic that's obsessed over by a slightly different crowd.
― the drummer for gay Daddy Yankee (some dude), Saturday, 6 April 2013 01:16 (eleven years ago) link
oh the band themselves? yeah guess so. the album is way more beloved than many many others in the range though, so.
I just got excited when it was announced bcz I <3 Flood and I <3 Sandifer - thought it would still be ages away though, iirc was only turned in a month or so ago? hyped now.
― Devendra Bumhat (sic), Saturday, 6 April 2013 01:24 (eleven years ago) link
why arent those books in chromatic order
― Poliopolice, Saturday, 6 April 2013 01:42 (eleven years ago) link
Actually, Histoire de Melodie Nelson is next, to be released in October, followed by Flood in November and I Get Wet in January.
― MarkoP, Saturday, 6 April 2013 03:40 (eleven years ago) link
unhyped again
― Devendra Bumhat (sic), Saturday, 6 April 2013 03:56 (eleven years ago) link
I have the "Loveless", "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" and Afghan Whigs' "Gentlemen" books and enjoyed them all. Liked a lot of the contextual stuff in the Whigs book about the general events surrounding the making of the album.
― michaellambert, Saturday, 6 April 2013 19:56 (eleven years ago) link
didn't see this coming
http://www.amazon.com/Kanye-Wests-Beautiful-Twisted-Fantasy/dp/1623565421/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_9
other new ones according to Amazon include Aphex Twin Ambient II, Oasis Definitely Maybe and Richard Hell Blank generation.
― piscesx, Thursday, 3 October 2013 04:51 (ten years ago) link
Yeah the upcoming ones are mentioned in this very thread. Also if you go to http://www.333sound.com and browse through the archived posts, you can find Q&A interviews with all the authors of the upcoming books.
― MarkoP, Thursday, 3 October 2013 06:01 (ten years ago) link
Phil Sandifer posted the beginning of the Flood book on his blog the other day
― I'm not a rockist, I just hate Rap-A-Lot (sic), Thursday, 3 October 2013 19:01 (ten years ago) link
yo yo yo yo yo yo
http://333sound.com/2013/10/07/lets-talk-about-love-by-carl-wilson-a-new-and-expanded-edition/
super-pumped to be in on this critical orgy
― the tune was space, Monday, 7 October 2013 17:35 (ten years ago) link
James Franco's piece is going to be just a page saying "I agree with the tune was space."
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 7 October 2013 17:37 (ten years ago) link
very cool. franco/gaitskill/tuneisspace orgy is quite the orgy.
― scott seward, Monday, 7 October 2013 17:48 (ten years ago) link
I like the brutality of the new subtitle for the book
― the tune was space, Monday, 7 October 2013 17:57 (ten years ago) link
i kinda like the original subtitle to be honest. but, yeah, its blunt.
― scott seward, Monday, 7 October 2013 18:05 (ten years ago) link
I don't like the new subtitle so much
― REDACTED got your back (flamboyant goon tie included), Monday, 7 October 2013 18:11 (ten years ago) link
oh woah i feel like the new subtitle's kind of hateful
i am excited for, like, the essays by ilxors and by ann powers, but if i just came across that book in a shop i would find it incredibly offputting
― Dora Viola G. I. de Orellana Dysart Plantagenet Tollemache-Tolle (c sharp major), Monday, 7 October 2013 18:15 (ten years ago) link
Yeah, I feel like whoever came up with the new subtitle was aiming for attention-grabbing and maybe a bit trolling but ended up with "in-joke very few people will get".
― Murgatroid, Monday, 7 October 2013 18:17 (ten years ago) link
oof @ that subtitle
half the new essays sound excellent and the other half are on some serious "nope, get away from me" shit NICK HORNBY
― lex pretend, Monday, 7 October 2013 18:18 (ten years ago) link
I loved the Céline ref of the old title, tied in with the book nicely. The new title suggests a target market of a lower reading comprehension than the book (might) require, I mean, it's not exactly heavy lifting but it's not as lite as all that
― REDACTED got your back (flamboyant goon tie included), Monday, 7 October 2013 18:20 (ten years ago) link
the way it looks now suggests that its ostensible remit's moved quite beyond celine dion? which strikes me as a bit of a pity.
i mean, you know, interesting writing about pop music is a hard publishing market and you have to hustle, ain't no shame carl wilson do your thing etc, but :(
― Dora Viola G. I. de Orellana Dysart Plantagenet Tollemache-Tolle (c sharp major), Monday, 7 October 2013 18:24 (ten years ago) link
but maybe the yikes factor keeps it exciting- I for one can't wait to read what everybody else has to say because I'm guessing there's going to be some serious dissonance / disagreement and I think that's what makes carl's book already kind of a livewire experience
(obviously I'm incapable of being objective so I'm just being honest)
― the tune was space, Monday, 7 October 2013 19:01 (ten years ago) link
I just wish the cover image made some sort of sense.
― JMB, Monday, 21 October 2013 21:59 (ten years ago) link
Has anyone ever proposed one on Since I Left You?
― Stevie D(eux), Friday, 1 November 2013 12:05 (ten years ago) link
Chuck Eddy to series
― Has talent, needs to figure out how to improve (staggerlee), Friday, 1 November 2013 14:23 (ten years ago) link
Open for proposals again:
http://333sound.com/2014/01/30/open-call-for-proposals-2014/
― Position Position, Friday, 31 January 2014 14:29 (ten years ago) link
i wonder if it's too soon to submit a proposal for Bangerz
― |$̲̅(̲̅ιοο̲̅)̲̅$̲̅| (gr8080), Friday, 31 January 2014 14:36 (ten years ago) link
The following projects were contracted at some point but for various reasons are now cancelled.
The following albums are now fair game:Tori Amos- Boys for PeleThe Clash – London CallingWu Tang – Enter the Wu (36 Chambers)Weezer- PinkertonBjork- BiophiliaPulp- This is Hardcore
― curmudgeon, Friday, 31 January 2014 14:54 (ten years ago) link
Might submit one this year.
― Humorist (horse) (誤訳侮辱), Friday, 31 January 2014 14:56 (ten years ago) link
Bjork- Biophilia
Someone, submit a proposal about one of Bjork's GOOD albums!
― Alfre, Lord Woodard (Eric H.), Friday, 31 January 2014 14:56 (ten years ago) link
the submission guidelines are rigorous (a good thing)
― Pale Smiley Face (dandydonweiner), Friday, 31 January 2014 15:23 (ten years ago) link
i submitted mine already -- i'd been working on it for a month and changed it around a little to fit the new guidelines. i agree, i appreciate the rigorousness.
― Quincy, M.F. (get bent), Friday, 31 January 2014 17:29 (ten years ago) link
no Tori! denied!
― piscesx, Friday, 31 January 2014 17:33 (ten years ago) link
interesting list of proposals. did anyone on here put one in?
http://333sound.com/2014/03/05/open-call-2014-complete-list-of-proposals/
― piscesx, Wednesday, 5 March 2014 18:48 (ten years ago) link
Missed the cutoff. I was considering proposals on Elvis's From Elvis in Memphis and Steely Dan's Gaucho.
― Humorist (horse) (誤訳侮辱), Wednesday, 5 March 2014 18:51 (ten years ago) link
fuck, i missed the cutoff
― emo canon in twee major (BradNelson), Wednesday, 5 March 2014 18:57 (ten years ago) link
“Shaq Fu: Da Return” – Shaquille O’Neal
― have a nice blood (mh), Wednesday, 5 March 2014 19:03 (ten years ago) link
they've gone for the 2 worst Blur albums too i notice. would love to read a Modern life Is Rubbish one.
― piscesx, Wednesday, 5 March 2014 19:07 (ten years ago) link
I didn't have anywhere near enough time to redo my original Master of Puppets pitch from 2007. Rush's Grace Under Pressure or something Iron Maideny would be others I'd like to tackle someday.
― A. Begrand, Wednesday, 5 March 2014 19:09 (ten years ago) link
i wonder if it's too soon to submit a proposal for Bangerz― |$̲̅(̲̅ιοο̲̅)̲̅$̲̅| (gr8080), Friday, January 31, 2014 8:36 AM (1 month ago)
― |$̲̅(̲̅ιοο̲̅)̲̅$̲̅| (gr8080), Friday, January 31, 2014 8:36 AM (1 month ago)
i guess 2 people didnt think so
― °ㅇ๐ْ ° (gr8080), Wednesday, 5 March 2014 19:10 (ten years ago) link
LOL @
“American Water” – Silver Jews
Interesting...
“Bad Hair Day” – Weird Al” Yankovic
“Big Shiny Tunes 2″ – Various Artists
“God Shuffled His Feet” – Crash Test Dummies
“Rant In E Minor” – Bill Hicks
“Super Hits Of The ’70s: Have A Nice Day”
Assault on Precinct 13 Soundtrack
Will smell bad by the time the publication date would roll around
“Bangerz” – Miley Cyrus
“Nothing Was The Same” – Drake
Would read anything about these records
“Beauty and the Beat” – The Go-Go’s
“Combat Rock” The Clash
“Devotion + Doubt” – Richard Buckner
“Elephant Eyelash” – Why?
“I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got” – Sinead O’Connor
“Kala” – M.I.A.
“Kate and Anna McGarrigle” – Kate and Anna McGarrigle
“Like a Prayer” – Madonna
“London Calling” – The Clash
“Middle Cyclone” – Neko Case
“Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols” – The Sex Pistols
“Parallel Lines” - Blondie
“She’s So Unusual” - Cyndi Lauper
“Wrecking Ball” – Emmylou Harris
33 1/3 will eat itself*
“Let Me Come Over” – Buffalo Tom
“Tallahassee” - The Mountain Goats
“Transcendental Youth” – Mountain Goats
Coulda swore this already existed
“Zen Arcade” – Hüsker Dü
*No diss intended. I'm a big fan of these artists/albums and the entries they've contributed to the 33 1/3 series.
― Inside Lewellyn Sinclair (cryptosicko), Wednesday, 5 March 2014 19:13 (ten years ago) link
Why "transcendental youth" of all MG albums?
― james franco, Wednesday, 5 March 2014 19:24 (ten years ago) link
I'd read these:
“Apple Venus Vol. 1″ – XTC“Are We Not Men” – Devo“Computer World” – Kraftwerk“Hello Nasty” – Beastie Boys“Kimono My House” – Sparks“Living Colour” – Vivid“Orbus Terrarum” – The Orb“Shaq Fu: Da Return” – Shaquille O’Neal“Silver Apples” – Silver Apples“Skylarking” – XTC“Spiderman of the Rings”- Dan Deacon“Super Mario Bros.” – Koji Kondo“Very” – The Pet Shop Boys“Ys” – Joanna Newsom
― frogbs, Wednesday, 5 March 2014 19:25 (ten years ago) link
“Super Mario Bros.” – Koji Kondo
iirc this is a video game and not an album?
― °ㅇ๐ْ ° (gr8080), Wednesday, 5 March 2014 19:26 (ten years ago) link
Are those all being made? Whats going on? I dont want to read further upthread to find out so just give me a synopsis ASAP
― james franco, Wednesday, 5 March 2014 19:27 (ten years ago) link
Would def read a book only about Koji Kondo.
― Emperor Cos Dashit (Adam Bruneau), Wednesday, 5 March 2014 19:30 (ten years ago) link
Vaguely curious about the "Big Shiny Tunes 2" one.
Also what is "1971" - The Beatles? A Bootleg? Or an imaginary album?
― MarkoP, Wednesday, 5 March 2014 19:31 (ten years ago) link
Rooting for:“Big Science” – Laurie Anderson“Bitches Brew” – Miles Davis“Disco Volante” – Mr. Bungle“Metal Machine Music” – Lou Reed“Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols” – The Sex Pistols
― I can't turn my heart into a nabkin dispender. (WilliamC), Wednesday, 5 March 2014 19:33 (ten years ago) link
What album on the list are they referring to as being released THIS YEAR? Or do they mean the 2013 albums?
― MarkoP, Wednesday, 5 March 2014 19:35 (ten years ago) link
i mean i'm assuming its just about the music which would be fairly interesting considering how iconic every single piece is now
― frogbs, Wednesday, 5 March 2014 19:36 (ten years ago) link
would read the metal machine music one
― global tetrahedron, Wednesday, 5 March 2014 19:37 (ten years ago) link
I'm guessing it's one of those "What if the Beatles hadn't broken up?" fantasy records made up of songs from their solo records.
But I'm hoping it's not, and that it's written by Mark Shipper.
― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 5 March 2014 19:39 (ten years ago) link
I want to read the Captain Beyond one.
― EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 5 March 2014 19:54 (ten years ago) link
would buy weird al and crash test dummies books in an instant.
― eric banana (s.clover), Wednesday, 5 March 2014 19:59 (ten years ago) link
Big Shiny Tunes 2 is giving me car sickness just thinking about it.
― jmm, Wednesday, 5 March 2014 20:10 (ten years ago) link
"We all know The Beatles broke up in 1970, but hey what if they didn't.. "
http://www.flixist.com/ul/210349-losing-my-virginity-the-royal-tenenbaums/The-Royal-Tenenbaums-Owen-Wilson-620x.jpg
― piscesx, Wednesday, 5 March 2014 20:30 (ten years ago) link
one can only hope the non-broken-up beatles would have had the common sense to sequence "the lovely linda" and "oh yoko!" back to back.
― fact checking cuz, Wednesday, 5 March 2014 20:51 (ten years ago) link
and that it's written by Mark Shipper.Did that ever come back into print? I guess a used copy is not too expensive.
― In Walked Sho-Bud (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 5 March 2014 20:53 (ten years ago) link
It didn't, but yeah, used copies seem to be plentiful and cheap.
― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 5 March 2014 21:28 (ten years ago) link
Feel like I lent or gave my copy to someone who didn't really appreciate it.
― In Walked Sho-Bud (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 5 March 2014 21:51 (ten years ago) link
i did, but i haven't seen anyone mention it in "entries i'd like to read" lists. mine's the laura nyro eli and the thirteenth confession one.
― mary-kate and ashley's roachclip (get bent), Wednesday, 5 March 2014 21:57 (ten years ago) link
feel like someone should cut-and-paste one album's worth of posts from the ILM eagles listening thread and pitch it to 33 1/3.
― fact checking cuz, Thursday, 6 March 2014 03:16 (ten years ago) link
I'd read the throwing muses obviously (no, it isn't me, none of them are mine because too much was going on during the proposal window)
― katherine, Thursday, 6 March 2014 03:16 (ten years ago) link
also apparently two people were just champing at the bit to get to write about pinkerton once it opened up, which sounds exactly right (although one of my favorite pieces of music writing ever was on that album, so hey)
― katherine, Thursday, 6 March 2014 03:27 (ten years ago) link
a good book on No Other would be great
― charlie h, Thursday, 6 March 2014 08:52 (ten years ago) link
though that said, i would read it with trepidation; it's far too complex and subjective a record to write about with unchecked assertiveness.
― charlie h, Thursday, 6 March 2014 08:56 (ten years ago) link
― fact checking cuz, Wednesday, March 5, 2014 10:16 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
I think they'd be into it. John D's book was an experimental format.
― Treeship, Thursday, 6 March 2014 12:25 (ten years ago) link
Also you guys strokes thread in the da capo book
― jaymc, Thursday, 6 March 2014 14:21 (ten years ago) link
which Strokes thread was this again?
― piscesx, Thursday, 6 March 2014 14:57 (ten years ago) link
C'mon everyone, let's be cool.
― pplains, Thursday, 6 March 2014 15:17 (ten years ago) link
^ gets it
― james franco, Thursday, 6 March 2014 15:35 (ten years ago) link
v doesn't.
― eric banana (s.clover), Friday, 7 March 2014 23:38 (ten years ago) link
>:-(
― james franco, Friday, 7 March 2014 23:40 (ten years ago) link
surprising no-one suggested any REM this time in the proposals list. i bet a New Adevntures.. one would be pretty popular.
― piscesx, Saturday, 8 March 2014 04:16 (ten years ago) link
Just finished the "Histoire de Melody Nelson" one. It's less about digging into the album than it is a long appreciation of/introduction to Gainsbourg. Overall very good. Hell of a lot of typos throughout, though, which I hadn't noticed in previous books in the series.Up next is "SAW 2".
― That elusive North American wood-ape (Capitaine Jay Vee), Saturday, 29 March 2014 01:27 (ten years ago) link
i want to write one on mgmt's congratulations.
― très hip (Treeship), Saturday, 29 March 2014 01:51 (ten years ago) link
i'll proofread it for you treezy
― °ㅇ๐ْ ° (gr8080), Saturday, 29 March 2014 02:28 (ten years ago) link
has there been one for robert wyatt's rock bottom?
― espring (amateurist), Saturday, 29 March 2014 02:38 (ten years ago) link
i would write this one
― espring (amateurist), Saturday, 29 March 2014 02:39 (ten years ago) link
The' Short' List is in!
― Inside Lewellyn Sinclair (cryptosicko), Thursday, 17 April 2014 14:16 (ten years ago) link
Heh, more than one person propsed one on Phish's A Live One!
― djenter the dragon? (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Thursday, 17 April 2014 14:23 (ten years ago) link
ooh dragnet!
― hundreds-swarm-dinkytown (Jon Lewis), Thursday, 17 April 2014 17:03 (ten years ago) link
Two for Like a Prayer? What assholes
― waterbabies (waterface), Thursday, 17 April 2014 17:09 (ten years ago) link
The SAW2 is such a letdown so far. Too much about others adapting SAW2 tracks for acoustic instruments or dance productions or about other stuff that is peripheral to the actual recordings. I wanna know some inside stuff about the recording for example. Bore.
― That elusive North American wood-ape (Capitaine Jay Vee), Thursday, 17 April 2014 19:10 (ten years ago) link
Would buy:
“Big Science” – Laurie Anderson (Eric)“Dragnet” – The Fall“Extricate” – The Fall“For Your Pleasure” – Roxy Music“God Shuffled His Feet” – Crash Test Dummies“Hounds of Love” – Kate Bush“Metal Box” – Public Image Ltd (Ryan)“No Depression” – Uncle Tupelo“Peepshow” – Siouxsie and the Banshees“Stop Making Sense” – Talking Heads“The Raincoats” – The Raincoats (Jenn)
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Thursday, 17 April 2014 19:35 (ten years ago) link
Bummed my Orbus Terrarum pitch didn't make it.
I think Odyshape's the better/more interesting album, but I'd still read a volume on The Raincoats.
― Dare, Thursday, 17 April 2014 23:34 (ten years ago) link
they're announcing the finalists soon -- they told me in advance that mine didn't make it.
if you'd like to read the draft intro i submitted, here's a slightly retooled version on my blog:
http://jodybethrosen.com/2014/05/17/laura-nyro-eli-and-the-thirteenth-confession/
― nurse with attitude (get bent), Saturday, 17 May 2014 19:23 (nine years ago) link
Oh, Sweet Blindness - of the selection committee.
― Twenty Flyte Blecch (James Redd and the Blecchs), Saturday, 17 May 2014 19:56 (nine years ago) link
i'm currently working through the book on Led Zeppelin IV. it's very well written, but tends to fixate on things that are a bit peripheral to how the album resonates with me on a personal level. but i will persist.
― charlie h, Sunday, 18 May 2014 04:29 (nine years ago) link
ha, jody i had no idea you were still around here. can't keep up w/ screen names.
― display name changed. (amateurist), Sunday, 18 May 2014 04:30 (nine years ago) link
That's a great article, JB. Best line:Pop music is so mutable and chameleonic, so driven by fashion and technology and contaminated by whatever comes in contact with it, that it barely qualifies as a genre.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Sunday, 18 May 2014 12:21 (nine years ago) link
Newest entry will be about the music of Super Mario Bros.: http://333sound.com/2014/05/20/new-33-13-title-koji-kondos-super-mario-bros/
I'm pretty suspicious about this one cause he wrote a Thought Catalog piece AND book about the same topic:
http://thoughtcatalog.com/andrew-schartmann/2013/08/waltzing-with-super-mario/http://thoughtcatalog.com/book/maestro-mario-how-nintendo-transformed-videogame-music-into-an-art/
How will this new entry not just be a repackaging of the latter, seriously
― Herbie Handcock (Murgatroid), Tuesday, 20 May 2014 16:30 (nine years ago) link
Makes you think.
― djenter the dragon? (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Tuesday, 20 May 2014 16:34 (nine years ago) link
geeks have money
― maura, Tuesday, 20 May 2014 16:48 (nine years ago) link
To highlight each new title and the author behind it, we’ll announce one book each day over the next two weeks.
ugh come ONNNNNNN
― aaliyah papi (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 20 May 2014 16:51 (nine years ago) link
next ones are amanda palmer and keyboard cat
― grindie cindy (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 20 May 2014 16:56 (nine years ago) link
Chapter 1: RagtimeChapter 2: ChiptunesAppendix
― "got ye!" (flamboyant goon tie included), Tuesday, 20 May 2014 17:59 (nine years ago) link
I'm going to read that but would prefer one on the Donkey Kong Country 2 OST
― abcfsk, Tuesday, 20 May 2014 18:09 (nine years ago) link
Would legit read one about DKC music; that was kind of an actual turning point for video game music, no?
― aaliyah papi (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 20 May 2014 18:11 (nine years ago) link
No.
― ▴▲ ▴TH3CR()$BY$H()W▴▲ ▴ (Adam Bruneau), Tuesday, 20 May 2014 18:12 (nine years ago) link
good choice IMO
― smhphony orchestra (crüt), Tuesday, 20 May 2014 18:17 (nine years ago) link
I would read the Mario book in a heartbeat but hopefully it won't be mostly videogame history, Atari, ET, the crash, Nintendo saving the day, etc. Which has been written about a million times over.
A book on Japanese videogame music is SORELY needed, but one that would dig deep into the history of Westernized rock/pop music reflected in Japan, what composers are most inspired by Cheap Trick/Deep Purple, the handful of composers that wrote most of the tracks in the late 80s that are still being recycled to this day, etc. Basically something someone has probably already written in Japan.
― ▴▲ ▴TH3CR()$BY$H()W▴▲ ▴ (Adam Bruneau), Tuesday, 20 May 2014 18:19 (nine years ago) link
Re: DKC I think it was a change in game music from a SNES-technological perspective but WipeOut on PS would be a way better choice, death of MIDI-based vgame music, dawn of CD-audio, plus it's an awesome soundtrack
― "got ye!" (flamboyant goon tie included), Tuesday, 20 May 2014 18:31 (nine years ago) link
the aja, song cycle, and trout mask replica books r rly good
― i also enjoy in line skateing (spazzmatazz), Tuesday, 20 May 2014 18:39 (nine years ago) link
DKC2 is not necessarily a milestone, just really really great, also re: wise's comments about how he realized its impact only relatively recently, but it's definitely worth writing about it, the english videogame composer scene at the time, the randomness of how some soundtracks ended up the way they did, and probably less predictable than a book about WipeOut which got a lot of hype for its soundtrack then and since.
― abcfsk, Tuesday, 20 May 2014 18:47 (nine years ago) link
I think overall the Nintendo/Genesis videogame revolution was a milestone for music because it was perhaps the first mass breakthrough of Japanese pop culture into US/Western culture. Entire generations of gamers have grown up hearing music composed by Japanese musicians. And not just Japanese men, but a great many of those composers were women.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_game_musicians
― ▴▲ ▴TH3CR()$BY$H()W▴▲ ▴ (Adam Bruneau), Tuesday, 20 May 2014 19:02 (nine years ago) link
Is DKC2 that much better/impactful than DKC? Honest question, not a jackassy one
― aaliyah papi (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 20 May 2014 19:50 (nine years ago) link
Would read a book abt EarthBound music tho am I rite????
DKC was the real breakthrough soundtrack, DKC2 not much of a technological improvement on it (afaict, maybe it is in a way that is not obvious). I was impressed by the sound quality in the first few SNES games, but DKC was the first time I recall putting down a video game and just listening to the music (which they assisted with by letting the music play while the game was paused).
― Vinnie, Tuesday, 20 May 2014 19:57 (nine years ago) link
DKC2 is just the all killer, no filler refinement of DKC OST. Also a feel-good story in David WIse, who's not done a high profile soundtrack since the 90s, coming back to Nintendo for the new Donkey Kong game this year and releasing what 'people' (on forums) almost unanimously seem to agree is a worthy follow-up on the same level.
Back on topic and many xps - I don't think this will waste time on gaming history- surely by going so specific he'll be able to talk about the finer details of the craft and that specific scene. Agreed about japanese game music - I've been trying to find theory about, for instance, what's so special about japanese pop melodies, and it's all (seemingly) in Japanese and often by amateurs. Put up a kickstarter on the bible on japanese game music and I'll support you.
― abcfsk, Tuesday, 20 May 2014 21:20 (nine years ago) link
why would you play a video game with the sound on?
― grindie cindy (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 20 May 2014 21:55 (nine years ago) link
Why go fly a kite when you can just pop a pill?
― ▴▲ ▴TH3CR()$BY$H()W▴▲ ▴ (Adam Bruneau), Tuesday, 20 May 2014 22:18 (nine years ago) link
Because...
― MarkoP, Tuesday, 20 May 2014 22:30 (nine years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cjjqfYjIwk#t=25
― grindie cindy (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 20 May 2014 22:38 (nine years ago) link
so.. Beat Happening and The Grateful Dead http://333sound.com/
― piscesx, Thursday, 22 May 2014 14:55 (nine years ago) link
oh cool grateful dead, v v underrated band, glad to see them get some shine
― °ㅇ๐ْ ° (gr8080), Thursday, 22 May 2014 15:49 (nine years ago) link
I don't think I've ever actually heard the Grateful Dead aside from "Touch of Grey"
― macklin' rosie (crüt), Thursday, 22 May 2014 15:54 (nine years ago) link
Of course, the Beat Happening book author is also the "creator of the quarterly print journal True Sincerity"
― Herbie Handcock (Murgatroid), Thursday, 22 May 2014 15:57 (nine years ago) link
there are going to be *some* female authors on this year's list right
― maura, Thursday, 22 May 2014 16:27 (nine years ago) link
so almost all of the smashing pumpkins original LPs got proposals, yeah? except gish, yeah? whats the over/under on those being put out in this round?
― i also enjoy in line skateing (spazzmatazz), Thursday, 22 May 2014 16:28 (nine years ago) link
a little tangential here but 33 1/3 was the first thing i thought about on hearing of this serieshttp://bossfightbooks.com/
― Look at this joke I've recognised, do you recognise it as well? (forksclovetofu), Thursday, 22 May 2014 16:34 (nine years ago) link
Beat Happening and Grateful Dead. Are they trying to follow up on the success of Let's Talk About Love?
― mohawk ororoducer (abanana), Thursday, 22 May 2014 16:58 (nine years ago) link
We'll know for sure when they announce Crash Test Dummies.
― MarkoP, Thursday, 22 May 2014 17:01 (nine years ago) link
because the music is very good and interesting, and was written to accompany the action and is especially interesting in that way when it's done well, whereas just listening to whatever you like while you play is sort of like turning off the color on the tv while you play and putting a filter with colors you like on the screen
― Now I Am Become Dracula (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 22 May 2014 17:31 (nine years ago) link
You can do that?
― pplains, Thursday, 22 May 2014 17:33 (nine years ago) link
for a price, yes, get in touch, we offer several very attractive packages
― Now I Am Become Dracula (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 22 May 2014 17:36 (nine years ago) link
koji kondo and nobou uematsu are geniuses, and they deserve more books written about them than 95% of bands already covered by 33 1/3
― i also enjoy in line skateing (spazzmatazz), Thursday, 22 May 2014 17:38 (nine years ago) link
why would you watch music videos with the sound on? they're all about cool visuals, just watch and listen to your own music instead.
― a strange man (mh), Thursday, 22 May 2014 18:12 (nine years ago) link
whiney hates v4p0rw4v3 tho
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPkoNICjQFI
― °ㅇ๐ْ ° (gr8080), Thursday, 22 May 2014 18:19 (nine years ago) link
spazzmatazz otm
― Look at this joke I've recognised, do you recognise it as well? (forksclovetofu), Thursday, 22 May 2014 18:49 (nine years ago) link
http://nerdmentality.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11643
What's it gonna be? Kondo's unforgettable tunes of immense catchiness, or Uematsu's epic scores of brilliance?
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 22 May 2014 19:01 (nine years ago) link
I would definitely buy a book on the music for the Katamari games (at least, the first two), which remains totally unique and bizarre in ways that I can't describe - not to mention catchy as sin all the way through.
― Maggie killed Quagmire (collest baby ever) (frogbs), Thursday, 22 May 2014 19:10 (nine years ago) link
I loooove the Katamari music (also Jet Grind Radio)
― aaliyah papi (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 22 May 2014 19:15 (nine years ago) link
If there is other shit that sounds like Katamari 1 & 2 OSTs I would like to know about it. I am ill informed on VG music in general and Asian hyper pop as well.
― Khamma chameleon (Jon Lewis), Thursday, 22 May 2014 19:34 (nine years ago) link
love the whole 'pushing primitive tech and creating music that sounds a little off' angle. glad they picked something pre-cd for that reason but earthbound would be my personal #1 pick.
― original bgm, Thursday, 22 May 2014 19:36 (nine years ago) link
Well for hyper Asian pop, I often recommend Plus-Tech Squeeze Box's Cartooom!
― MarkoP, Thursday, 22 May 2014 19:37 (nine years ago) link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibuya-kei
― ▴▲ ▴TH3CR()$BY$H()W▴▲ ▴ (Adam Bruneau), Thursday, 22 May 2014 19:41 (nine years ago) link
yeah a lot of Shibuya-kei stuff is kind of similar (and the two PTSB albums are excellent) but it doesn't quite have that degree of surrealness. I do think the Haruomi Hosono + Miharu Koshi album Swing Slow hits the spot. As does a lot of the stuff by De De Mouse.
― Maggie killed Quagmire (collest baby ever) (frogbs), Thursday, 22 May 2014 19:45 (nine years ago) link
maybe serani poji one-room survival?
― original bgm, Thursday, 22 May 2014 19:47 (nine years ago) link
I guess that's not really too 'surreal' but some of it sounds similar to katamari otherwise
― original bgm, Thursday, 22 May 2014 19:50 (nine years ago) link
omg this is rly good
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7JcWeq9yTo
― aaliyah papi (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 22 May 2014 20:30 (nine years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SNredsfyBI
Best video game rhythm section ever! Would you call this prog rock?
― ▴▲ ▴TH3CR()$BY$H()W▴▲ ▴ (Adam Bruneau), Thursday, 22 May 2014 22:11 (nine years ago) link
Psychocandy!
― piscesx, Tuesday, 27 May 2014 17:59 (nine years ago) link
Fucking Phish A Live One lol wtf.
― how's life, Tuesday, 27 May 2014 18:07 (nine years ago) link
no "13" ;_; I cry
― aaliyah papi (Stevie D(eux)), Saturday, 7 June 2014 06:01 (nine years ago) link
Slate: I Read 93 Books About Pop Albums. Here’s what I learned.
― ArchCarrier, Wednesday, 10 September 2014 09:53 (nine years ago) link
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/the_completist/2014/09/_33_1_3_books_the_30_best_from_aretha_franklin_to_neutral_milk_hotel.html
No Hugo Wilcken "Low", no credibility
― Iago Galdston, Wednesday, 10 September 2014 14:28 (nine years ago) link
ha ha it's so epic (and very Steve) that he read ALL of them, wow
(won't lie, I'm sad that I didn't get a shoutout- I thought we were friends! ouch)
― the tune was space, Wednesday, 10 September 2014 19:31 (nine years ago) link
Are you Hugo? If so, amazing book--best monograph on DB
― Iago Galdston, Wednesday, 10 September 2014 20:44 (nine years ago) link
i'm curious about the Shoot Out The Lights book. anyone read that one and got any thoughts?
― charlie h, Thursday, 11 September 2014 04:46 (nine years ago) link
i have now read the Shoot Out the Lights book. it's kinda on the opposite end of the spectrum to the Zoso book in terms of analysis & detai. Zoso was extremely well written & engaging, but ultimately a little dense & verbose, at least for me; SOTL was way too thin & tenuous with sections of really weak writing.
― charlie h, Saturday, 28 February 2015 01:04 (nine years ago) link
aerosmith, I'll admit that I was skeptical about reading Master of Reality (I haven't read any of the other fictional entries, mostly because the fictional conceit doesn't seem to jibe with what I'm looking to get out of the series), but I'm really glad that I did because it was excellent. It worked really well as an epistolary novella, but it was also more effective at parsing the album (a process which sometimes benefits from a hyper-subjective, inarticulate-yet-passionate perspective) than some of the more straightforward entries have been.
― Deric W. Haircare, Tuesday, 6 May 2008 16:47 (6 years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
way late to this, but I was in Strand bookstore the other day and finally saw a copy of this (cos my local store doesn't have it) and picked it up, and wow I wish I had read this sooner. Strangely, I had an idea for a 10-minute short play years ago that was similar to this (although switch out mental patience for criminal in jail), but this was pulled off way better than I could have.
as Deric said (almost 7 years ago), I liked that the fictional component of the story wasn't merely an excuse to gush over the album in a new format, but could stand on its own and be compelling even if that particular album wasn't one you enjoyed. obviously for someone like me who loves Masters and also considers it probably his favorite Sab, it makes it that much better. Although Sabbath doesn't serve the same purpose for me that it does for the narrator, there are definitely other bands/albums that do serve that function.
great stuff.
― Hammer Smashed Bagels, Monday, 2 March 2015 20:00 (nine years ago) link
I like to think that my early encouragement helped spur a young unknown towards literary greatness.
― U SNOOZE U LOOZE BRAH (Old Lunch), Monday, 2 March 2015 20:16 (nine years ago) link
speaking of young unknowns
http://333sound.com/2015/04/16/open-call-2015-22-and-under/
― katherine, Tuesday, 21 April 2015 17:49 (nine years ago) link
rats. 7 months too old
― flappy bird, Wednesday, 22 April 2015 00:55 (nine years ago) link
same
― flopson, Wednesday, 22 April 2015 02:03 (nine years ago) link
nvm i misread, 22 before may 2016! i'm way old man
― flopson, Wednesday, 22 April 2015 02:05 (nine years ago) link
Well I was under 22 before May 2016.
― pplains, Wednesday, 22 April 2015 02:10 (nine years ago) link
Someone got me the Super Mario Bros. soundtrack one, it is so good! I have been waiting my entire life to read this book!
― ©Oz Quiz© (Adam Bruneau), Saturday, 2 May 2015 19:53 (nine years ago) link
The thing I've been wondering regarding that one is how different it is from the the previous book he wrote on the subject, Maestro Mario.
― MarkoP, Sunday, 3 May 2015 00:17 (nine years ago) link
Just read the brand-new Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables one. I'm kinda blown away by how this is essentially "Dead Kennedys: Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables: The Early Years" by Alex Ogg (which was just published LAST YEAR ferchristsakes) with an added sheen of (non-musical) historical colour. It's quite shameless. Unless there is something connecting the two works which I don't know about. It's just a complete rip-off! Plus Ogg's book has tons of artwork, labels, Winston Smith art etc. Don't get this 33 1/3 book - get the Ogg.
― everything, Thursday, 21 May 2015 21:18 (eight years ago) link
iirc when you pitch something you have to say how your work will differentiate from any other books/documentaries on the subject. so obv bloomsbury knew about the similarity and it didn't bother them.
― T-Boz Scaggs (get bent), Monday, 25 May 2015 21:06 (eight years ago) link
i have something i might be interested in pitching this time out, but little-to-no-advance and a percentage of royalties on a smallish run with a limited audience, for all the effort that would go in? not that appealing tbh.
― T-Boz Scaggs (get bent), Monday, 25 May 2015 21:09 (eight years ago) link
Finished another one that just hit the stands: Freedom of Choice by Evie Nagy. Nice to get some background on Devo without the usual faux-corporate trappings. The only criticism I have is that the book operates on the principle that this was Devo's creative peak and that what came before and after was lacking. The portrayal of Duty Now For The Future as their nadir is baffling.
― everything, Tuesday, 26 May 2015 17:47 (eight years ago) link
same here, unfortunately i have an idea i really believe in
― insufficiently familiar with xgau's work to comment intelligently (BradNelson), Tuesday, 26 May 2015 17:56 (eight years ago) link
i really love duty now. that album has a ton of punk cachet, maybe even more so than the debut. and new traditionalists and oh no! are no slouches either. i know the band doesn't rate duty now -- the songs were leftovers, they were all fighting, they hated the producer. but bands can be wrong about their best work.
(full disclosure: i worked on evie's book, doing the interview transcriptions.)
― -entry-level umami (mild bleu cheese vibes) (get bent), Wednesday, 27 May 2015 19:23 (eight years ago) link
also i remembered last night that the day i got my 33 1/3 rejection last year was the day i was having major surgery -- the message hit my inbox as i was lying there in a hospital gown, waiting for the morphine drip to kick in. not my least vulnerable moment!
― -entry-level umami (mild bleu cheese vibes) (get bent), Wednesday, 27 May 2015 19:27 (eight years ago) link
Yeah, the book contains interviews with the band where they express disappointment with Duty Now. But they are also on record as being regretful about aspects of the first album too. And the later ones...even the last one which you'd think it would have been created with zero expectations and with full creative control yet they still had a bad experience with Warners. My theory is that they strived more than most to control everything, but their career 78-84 proved to be extremely challenging and uncontrollable. Their critical and commercial fortunes fluctuated wildly. So that the only era they appear to not be regretful about is the brief flash of widespread popularity (Whip It and FoC) and the 74-77 period. No surprises they have specifically focused on revisiting and repackaging those periods more and more to that over the last decade or so.
― everything, Wednesday, 27 May 2015 20:10 (eight years ago) link
I had no idea the band didn't like Duty Now; I love it to bits.
― Competent Cracker Barrel Manager (Dan Peterson), Wednesday, 27 May 2015 20:38 (eight years ago) link
http://333sound.com/2015/06/01/open-call-for-33-13-proposals-2015/
― anthony braxton diamond geezer (anagram), Tuesday, 2 June 2015 10:45 (eight years ago) link
everyone who can be bothered to pitch to these people is independently wealthy, yes? still never encountered any publisher as up itself as them
― lex pretend, Tuesday, 2 June 2015 23:00 (eight years ago) link
well i have pitched to them and i am not quite begging on the streets but i have a few bills i'm definitely sweating rn, so "independently wealthy" hahaha no. the proposal does seem like it'd be a big time suck for me this year, though.
― music begins where words leave off (get bent), Tuesday, 2 June 2015 23:41 (eight years ago) link
that's big time-suck, not big-time suck.
― music begins where words leave off (get bent), Tuesday, 2 June 2015 23:42 (eight years ago) link
a Tom Waits 33.3 about why Big Time sucks
― ( who ALSO my boss and his sister!) (sic), Tuesday, 2 June 2015 23:55 (eight years ago) link
the world needs a 'celebrity skin' one.
― Nourry, Wednesday, 3 June 2015 01:47 (eight years ago) link
oh my god yeah
― insufficiently familiar with xgau's work to comment intelligently (BradNelson), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 02:12 (eight years ago) link
yeah, i'd have written about that or POTI over live through this.
― music begins where words leave off (get bent), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 02:45 (eight years ago) link
does it seem like a "derivative work"? that is, does it follow the ogg closely in what it says/structure even if it doesn't directly plagiarize the word choice, etc.? because ogg might have a lawsuit, frankly.
on another note: if i knew more about music i'd love to write a little book on "she's so unusual."
― he quipped with heat (amateurist), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 02:53 (eight years ago) link
has someone written about the saturday night fever soundtrack? that'd be a good' un.
― he quipped with heat (amateurist), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 02:56 (eight years ago) link
the movie and the bee gees and mainstream disco in general have been written about extensively, but i'd want to know more about the lesser-remembered stuff on that album like ralph macdonald's "calypso breakdown"
― music begins where words leave off (get bent), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 03:36 (eight years ago) link
Seriously considering doing an Erotica pitch.
― Tim F, Wednesday, 3 June 2015 03:50 (eight years ago) link
! ! !
― insufficiently familiar with xgau's work to comment intelligently (BradNelson), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 03:53 (eight years ago) link
it's probably the alcohol speaking but i'm thinking of pitching the indigo girls.
― Van Horn Street, Wednesday, 3 June 2015 05:03 (eight years ago) link
I'd want to do Blackout if it was even remotely worth it
― lex pretend, Wednesday, 3 June 2015 05:16 (eight years ago) link
Has Aaliyah's S/T been done. You could sneak that through under the Trojan Horse of "favourite album of every female indie artist or singer in an indie band."
― Tim F, Wednesday, 3 June 2015 08:31 (eight years ago) link
yes but i don't want to pitch ANYTHING to them
― lex pretend, Wednesday, 3 June 2015 10:27 (eight years ago) link
Considering a pitch for the Fania All-Stars' Live at Yankee Stadium. Not because the album itself is world-shakingly great, but because a broader overview of 1970s New York salsa would be a lot of fun to write.
― the top man in the language department (誤訳侮辱), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 12:16 (eight years ago) link
What were the successful pitches last time? I seem to recall the chosen books were a lot safer and more Mojo-esque than had previously been the case.
― anthony braxton diamond geezer (anagram), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 12:21 (eight years ago) link
I would read the Fania book in the blink of an eyelid.
― NotKnowPotato (stevie), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 13:00 (eight years ago) link
This was the final list from last time:http://333sound.com/2014/06/03/14-new-33-13-titles-coming-2015-2016/
― MarkoP, Wednesday, 3 June 2015 13:38 (eight years ago) link
I was gonna say, I remember there being some weirdo titles in there last time. I mean, yeah, you got Metallica and Bitches Brew and Workingman's Dead and Psychocandy, but Hangin' Tough and Super Mario Bros are hardly the stuff of Mojo!
― The New Gay Sadness (cryptosicko), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 13:52 (eight years ago) link
you know what i'd read --but which 33 1/3 is unlikely to ever publish? -- gary giddins on that bing crosby christmas LP.
― he quipped with heat (amateurist), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 14:34 (eight years ago) link
never read any of these - which would y'all recommend? (definitely getting the Super Mario Bros. book)
― example (crüt), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 15:21 (eight years ago) link
whiney's Public Enemy and Doug's James Brown and Elizabeth's Abba are all good.
― like a giraffe of nah (forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 15:25 (eight years ago) link
Would love to do one on Bill Dixon's Vade Mecum, seen as a game-changer in some circles, but those circles are likely too tiny to support/justify such a publication.
― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 15:46 (eight years ago) link
really? Bill Dixon less justifiable than Madness or J Dilla or Sigur Rós or fucking Elliott Smith?
― example (crüt), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 16:30 (eight years ago) link
Madness sold a lot of records and still play to big rooms
― ( who ALSO my boss and his sister!) (sic), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 16:37 (eight years ago) link
also they were great
― Οὖτις, Wednesday, 3 June 2015 16:39 (eight years ago) link
Madness are great, but I think a book on Bill Dixon would be way more interesting!
― example (crüt), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 16:41 (eight years ago) link
that is probably true
― Οὖτις, Wednesday, 3 June 2015 16:44 (eight years ago) link
i didn't mean to lump Madness & J Dilla in with the likes of Sigur Ros & Elliott Smith. just saying all these people are not necessarily more deserving of a book than the crew on Vade Mecum.
― example (crüt), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 16:45 (eight years ago) link
in my heart of hearts, if i could do anything i wanted, i would do a book on the history of the house sound of chicago box set and the book would just be reviews of each song. but i don't think these people do box sets.
― scott seward, Wednesday, 3 June 2015 16:53 (eight years ago) link
i think it's a question of sales, no? sadly i imagine that only a tiny number of people are familiar with the music of bill dixon, esp. compared to the many people familiar with sigur ros etc. and the people who /are/ fans of bill dixon's music probably don't have huge overlap with the sort of 'indie' crowd that likely presents the main audience for these books. (that isn't to say that publishing a book on dixon wouldn't expose some people to his music who would otherwise be ignorant of it. but i doubt the numbers would look good enough for the publisher to take the risk.)
― he quipped with heat (amateurist), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 16:54 (eight years ago) link
i could totally see them doing a 'canonical' box set like maybe james brown's 'star time'. but in the era of the "vinyl revival" i don't think that sort of thing has the same romance as a proper LP.
― he quipped with heat (amateurist), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 16:55 (eight years ago) link
That was what I meant, yeah. Every Dixon fan would buy it, and a significant number of fans of that area of music in general would buy it, but those numbers probably aren't large enough for the publisher to consider it.
― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 16:57 (eight years ago) link
(fwiw, there is a tremendous Dixon book out, Dixonia: A Bio-Discography of Bill Dixon, but it's fairly pricey.)
― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 16:58 (eight years ago) link
just saying all these people are not necessarily more deserving of a book than the crew on Vade Mecum.
They are if you look at who the actual audience for 33 1/3 books is, and what's been published so far: classic rock, indie rock, 80s pop, kitsch (Super Mario Brothers), hip-hop, a dash of metal as long as it's been long since approved by critics or the market. No jazz to date, though of course they picked Bitches Brew for the first one in that area. They're basically appealing to Atlantic/NPR/Paste/Pitchfork/Slate readers (and writers).
The more I look at the list of already published titles, the more I see just how doomed a Fania All Stars pitch would be.
― the top man in the language department (誤訳侮辱), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 17:03 (eight years ago) link
The Super Mario Bros. book is really good, definitely not only about video games. In some parts it is very musicological and a little too much for my bare-bones education to understand at first. I am actually learning about music in general from it.
― ©Oz Quiz© (Adam Bruneau), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 17:09 (eight years ago) link
No jazz to date
I don't follow this series v closely and have only read a few but this is surprising/sad. I would totally dig album-specific books about idk Free Jazz or Ellington at Newport or Mingus Ah Um or Unit Structures or or or
― Οὖτις, Wednesday, 3 June 2015 17:10 (eight years ago) link
― example (crüt), Wednesday, June 3, 2015 3:21 PM (3 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
i re-read these ones over and over:
Song Cycle - Van Dyke ParksLow - David BowieLive Through This - HoleAja - Steely Dan69 Love Songs - Magnetic Fields
i can't fucking stand the ones where it's all about the author and how this record changed my life and i lost my virginity to the single in a car, blah blah blah. horrible writing and no information about the record or interviews with people involved. i love learning about musicology, how this or that effect or sound was achieved, and stories about how a certain song was written, or who/what inspired it. a little bit of personality is fine but so many of the early books are utter garbage. i want to learn about the context leading up to the album, how it was made (production & songwriting), and as many anecdotes or asides from people who were there. my favorite books in the series are a good balance of that.
― flappy bird, Wednesday, 3 June 2015 19:17 (eight years ago) link
In Utero is also good but pretty slight/nothing new if you're already well read on Nirvana.
― flappy bird, Wednesday, 3 June 2015 19:18 (eight years ago) link
i can't fucking stand the ones where it's all about the author and how this record changed my life and i lost my virginity to the single in a car, blah blah blah. horrible writing and no information about the record or interviews with people involved. i love learning about musicology, how this or that effect or sound was achieved, and stories about how a certain song was written, or who/what inspired it.
ha yeah - I was looking into the Tago Mago book and was perplexed by this bit of the blurb: This hugely unique and influential album deserves close analysis from a fan, rather than a musicologist. Like, what?? I've never read a scholarly analysis of Tago Mago, only noise dudes talking about the first time they smoked weed while listening to it
― example (crüt), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 19:23 (eight years ago) link
i want to learn about the context leading up to the album, how it was made (production & songwriting), and as many anecdotes or asides from people who were there. my favorite books in the series are a good balance of that.
― flappy bird, Wednesday, June 3, 2015 3:17 PM (6 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
You'll probably like the one on Amazing Grace, which fits all of these criteria. It's easily one of the most rigorously-researched volumes in the series.
― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 19:26 (eight years ago) link
I loved Drew D's 20 Jazz Funk Greats.
― WilliamC, Wednesday, 3 June 2015 19:29 (eight years ago) link
it drives me up a fucking wall. go nuts in your preface, but i want to read about chords, tones, cultural context, the people involved, studio anecdotes. they've gotten a lot better about that as the series as gone on
― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, June 3, 2015 7:26 PM (8 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
sweet, thanks for the rec - a lot of my friends & family adore that record but i've never given it time.
xpost yeah gonna read Drew's book next!
― flappy bird, Wednesday, 3 June 2015 19:38 (eight years ago) link
I liked Loveless, Double Nickels On The Dime, Court & Spark (fits flappy bird's criteria though), People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm & Twenty Jazz Funk Greats.
Really didn't like OK Computer, Fear Of Music and Achtung Baby.
― MaresNest, Wednesday, 3 June 2015 19:38 (eight years ago) link
I liked the Slint one. It was a nice history of the band, as well as an encapsulation of the scene from which the band emerged and that particular time in indie history.
― intheblanks, Wednesday, 3 June 2015 19:47 (eight years ago) link
i love franklin bruno's armed forces, which deconstructs every song note by note and syllable by syllable, while also providing context, anecdotes, recording minutiae, etc. and the writing is beautiful.
― fact checking cuz, Wednesday, 3 June 2015 20:22 (eight years ago) link
that guy went to my high school (there were awards named after him, for some reason?) he's awesome
― Οὖτις, Wednesday, 3 June 2015 20:28 (eight years ago) link
are there /any/ other of these books like the bruno one? with close musical analysis throughout?
frankly, almost all of the other volumes i looked at were rather dire.
― he quipped with heat (amateurist), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 20:31 (eight years ago) link
The Minutemen one provides about as detailed an analysis as can be for each track on Double Nickels. Good companion for the album.
― thom yorke state of mind (voodoo chili), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 21:46 (eight years ago) link
My favorites are zoso and master of reality
Flappy bird would hate both of them
― demonic mnevice (Jon Lewis), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 22:28 (eight years ago) link
Let's Talk About Love, Dangerous and Master of Reality are fantastic. Harvest, Exile on Main St., Armed Forces, Horses, Loveless and Fear of Music all good reads if you are already a fan of the artist/record in question.
I have a huge stack of others in the series to read and will probably do ABBA next.
― The New Gay Sadness (cryptosicko), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 22:34 (eight years ago) link
― he quipped with heat (amateurist),
Try the Court and Spark and Low] ones. Also: It Takes a Nation of Millions and Exile on Main Street.
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 3 June 2015 22:42 (eight years ago) link
Just crossed his path on the way home and passed along your praise, amateurist./fourth_wall
― Faron Young Folks (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 4 June 2015 00:59 (eight years ago) link
you mean franklin bruno? yes, i like his stuff very much!
― he quipped with heat (amateurist), Thursday, 4 June 2015 01:04 (eight years ago) link
also thx for recommendatiosn alfred.
― he quipped with heat (amateurist), Thursday, 4 June 2015 01:05 (eight years ago) link
Yes. He lives in my neighborhood, two blocks away. I don't really know him too well but he is supersmart and fun to talk to.
― Faron Young Folks (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 4 June 2015 01:07 (eight years ago) link
He's a charming fella -- met him at EMP in April.
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 4 June 2015 01:10 (eight years ago) link
Saw him perform last week with Laura Cantrell in Brooklyn, both as opening act and sideman. Some of his songs are quite cleverly constructed, as you might imagine.
― Faron Young Folks (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 4 June 2015 01:23 (eight years ago) link
some other 33 1/3rd books i'd love to read if handled well:
- joao gilberto - the 1973 s/t album- anything by al green- anything by scott walker - the strokes, is this it (has this been done? i think their songs would bear careful analysis)- anything yellow magic orchestra!
― he quipped with heat (amateurist), Thursday, 4 June 2015 01:29 (eight years ago) link
I've never read any of these but I'd read one on Big Science because I don't understand how that album was made.
― Immediate Follower (NA), Thursday, 4 June 2015 01:59 (eight years ago) link
Cornelius "Fantasma" would be pretty neat
― ©Oz Quiz© (Adam Bruneau), Thursday, 4 June 2015 02:16 (eight years ago) link
Just remembered that the last thing he told me about in that conversation was free La La Brooks show tomorrow in LIC.
― Faron Young Folks (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 4 June 2015 03:21 (eight years ago) link
Avoid the Replacements one by the guy out of the Decemberists if you hate anecdotal ones. I appreciate Let It Be is not exactly the kind of album that lends itself to detailed in-the-studio analysis, but I would still be interested to learn about the context in which it was made and read some genuinely insightful comments about the lyrics, as opposed to Colin Meloy's mundane anecdotes about being picked last at the school dance.
The Murmur one is pretty good. Great on context and the production. Perhaps overreaches with some of the lyrical analysis, but fair play to the writer for being thorough.
On an Athens note, surprised nobody's done the B52s yet...
― Poor.Old.Tired.Horse. (Stew), Thursday, 4 June 2015 11:07 (eight years ago) link
i wish i had that B-52's book that came out in 2002. the cheapest copy on amazon is $160!
― scott seward, Thursday, 4 June 2015 14:19 (eight years ago) link
In that case please add it to the thread www.ilxor.com/ILX/ThreadSelectedControllerServlet?boardid=55&threadid=102012
― Faron Young Folks (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 4 June 2015 14:57 (eight years ago) link
i could write a book just about their guitar tunings.
― fact checking cuz, Thursday, 4 June 2015 15:01 (eight years ago) link
best band. i've never actually seen the 2002 book. done by their fan club guy so lots of photos of ticket stubs and stuff like that i think. would love a book on 1977 to 1980 when they were one of the greatest bands on earth. so, maybe just a great book on the first album would do the trick.
― scott seward, Thursday, 4 June 2015 15:12 (eight years ago) link
I read these last few posts and got panicky thinking there had been a 33 1/3 book on The B-52's that I somehow missed.
I have the 2002 book, the author lives here so I went to the release party and got it autographed. It's nice, especially the graphic design, but it really doesn't tell any stories that I haven't seen elsewhere. "Party Out Of Bounds" is my go to for early B's lore.
― Little Latin Lupe Feebfiasco (Dan Peterson), Thursday, 4 June 2015 15:18 (eight years ago) link
Wild Planet was on a 33 1/3 longlist, so that suggests someone out there has a chapter on it... But yes, Party Out Of Bounds is a great read, very fun and gossipy, with a few juicy REM stories I didn't know.
― Poor.Old.Tired.Horse. (Stew), Thursday, 4 June 2015 15:36 (eight years ago) link
x-post to
― the top man in the language department (誤訳侮辱), Wednesday, June 3, 2015 12:16 PM
Will Hermes book Love Goes to Buildings on Fire covers this a bit, but yeah a 33 1/3 just on Fania would be nice
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 4 June 2015 15:52 (eight years ago) link
Yeah, I thought the inclusion of Latin music was one of the best things about that book (which could otherwise have become just another tedious punk 'n' rap 'n' disco yawnfest).
― the top man in the language department (誤訳侮辱), Thursday, 4 June 2015 16:57 (eight years ago) link
Re The B-52s - there's a book called Heavy Rotation, published in 2009, which has 20 essays by 20 writers, each about a specific album. One of them is about the first B-52s album. Other ones in the book are the Annie Soundtrack, Fugazi, Pretenders, Gloria Estefan, Talking Heads, The Queen is Dead, and so on.
They are almost all in the style that Flappy Bird complains about.
― everything, Thursday, 4 June 2015 18:32 (eight years ago) link
in my heart i am always pitching a 33 1/3 on the key by nocturnus
― insufficiently familiar with xgau's work to comment intelligently (BradNelson), Thursday, 4 June 2015 18:34 (eight years ago) link
Could you recap the juicy REM stories from Party Out of Bounds?
― brotherlovesdub, Thursday, 4 June 2015 18:49 (eight years ago) link
the hermes book is just perfect, kind of the "lock thread" for that type of book.
― music begins where words leave off (get bent), Thursday, 4 June 2015 18:53 (eight years ago) link
― demonic mnevice (Jon Lewis), Wednesday, June 3, 2015 10:28 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
John Darnielle is an exception, i'll read anything he has to say with glee
― flappy bird, Thursday, 4 June 2015 19:08 (eight years ago) link
"Could you recap the juicy REM stories from Party Out of Bounds?"
It's hardly Hammer Of The Gods, but there's some youthful sex 'n drugs n' rock 'n roll stuff that tends to be left out of the more sober REM biogs like Tony Fletcher's Remarks. Athens did sound like a really fun place to be at college in the late 70s and the book does a great job of filling in the context for songs like Nightswimming and Deadbeat Club.
REM were happy to give interviews for the book, so it's clearly nothing they didn't want to come out. The most interesting stuff is about how ambitious they were from the early days, which tends to belie the band's usual 'aw shucks, we're just nice Southern boys and there was never any plan' line. I've not seen the story about Michael Stipe's teenage years as the singer in a locally popular covers band anywhere else and I also wasn't aware that Bill Berry worked for a booking agency run by one of the Copeland brothers. Not that there's anything bad in this - everyone needs to make connections - but it does show how quickly they went from being a college party band to a serious prospect. There's inevitable local scene bitching that comes with that too.
― Poor.Old.Tired.Horse. (Stew), Thursday, 4 June 2015 19:27 (eight years ago) link
Yes, Stipe's band Gangster! And the story of him etching a bunch of hard rock band names into a candle, and said candle coming back to haunt him later.
― Little Latin Lupe Feebfiasco (Dan Peterson), Thursday, 4 June 2015 19:33 (eight years ago) link
Not juicy at all, more dorky and endearing.
― Little Latin Lupe Feebfiasco (Dan Peterson), Thursday, 4 June 2015 19:34 (eight years ago) link
Haha, the candle story is classic. Bless.
― Poor.Old.Tired.Horse. (Stew), Thursday, 4 June 2015 19:47 (eight years ago) link
i'd like one of these on the great rock 'n' roll swindle OST.
― music begins where words leave off (get bent), Thursday, 4 June 2015 20:58 (eight years ago) link
Zoso was really well written, but maybe just a little too dense and packed with detail. i would have preferred a bit more breathing space.
Use Your Illusion was an entertaining read, but from memory, almost wilfully lacking in a serious analysis of the songs themselves and the ideas and context informing them.
Shoot Out the Lights was very weak.
― charlie h, Thursday, 4 June 2015 20:59 (eight years ago) link
but he analyzes each song one by one
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 4 June 2015 21:22 (eight years ago) link
idk man, it kinda reminds me of the skeptical, arms-length, designedly uninformed analysis that people go on with when they think the whole GNR juggernaut is comical & beneath them.
― charlie h, Friday, 5 June 2015 04:53 (eight years ago) link
Axl Rose is a muppet.
― ©Oz Quiz© (Adam Bruneau), Friday, 5 June 2015 05:54 (eight years ago) link
I haven't read the book, but this was the impression I got from reading about it.
― the top man in the language department (誤訳侮辱), Friday, 5 June 2015 10:06 (eight years ago) link
I didn't get that impression at all from reading it. He is however skeptical about every Izzy-sung tune.
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 5 June 2015 11:16 (eight years ago) link
IIRC, he writes about the albums from memory before relistening and reassessing. It's an interesting approach. I liked it.
― Tarkus Aurelius (Old Lunch), Friday, 5 June 2015 15:15 (eight years ago) link
the B-52s bio goes into detail on them firing Byrne, right?
― campreverb, Friday, 5 June 2015 15:39 (eight years ago) link
"I've not seen the story about Michael Stipe's teenage years as the singer in a locally popular covers band"
tom smith of to live and shave in LA has tapes of the band he was briefly in with stipe pre-r.e.m. have no idea what it sounds like though.
― scott seward, Friday, 5 June 2015 15:46 (eight years ago) link
okay, i gotta get party out of bounds. my interest in the B-52's has reached new heights in my golden years.
― scott seward, Friday, 5 June 2015 15:49 (eight years ago) link
i'm listening to Whammy! right now in fact...
Live And Shave... Party Out of Bounds mentions Stipe being in a couple of shortlived noise/art bands Stipe. Might be that.
B-52s would make a fantastic 33 1/3 on so many levels. Obviously the retro-futuristic trash aesthetic is fascinating, the queer sensibilities etc, but they're also hugely undervalued for their unusual musicality and sonics. If you want to get super geeky, there's an interesting Gearslut thread where his guitar tech talks about his unique approach to tuning: putting each guitar in a weird tuning, getting them at concert pitch and then tweaking them a touch sharp by ear.
― Poor.Old.Tired.Horse. (Stew), Friday, 5 June 2015 15:59 (eight years ago) link
sorry, Ricky Wilson's unique approach to tuning I mean.
There's a nice article in the new Pitchfork Review about being queer in Georgia and loving The B-52's.
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 5 June 2015 16:01 (eight years ago) link
Just the ticket, I'll check it out. Thanks!
― Poor.Old.Tired.Horse. (Stew), Friday, 5 June 2015 16:02 (eight years ago) link
I've never read anything that goes into very much detail on Byrne's dismissal from the Mesopotamia sessions. I always just chalked it up to differing personalities and working styles, and the old adage that if you can't say anything nice about someone... (xpost)
― Little Latin Lupe Feebfiasco (Dan Peterson), Friday, 5 June 2015 16:43 (eight years ago) link
the one sort of expanded piece on it I saw vaguely alluded to 'differences', but as for the sessions with Byrne, they remixed all his stuff and used the other handful on Whammy!. They didn't throw him under the bus but it wasn't too hard to read between the lines.
― campreverb, Friday, 5 June 2015 16:50 (eight years ago) link
Some more early B-52s stories from one of their pals
― everything, Friday, 5 June 2015 17:02 (eight years ago) link
Yeah, that's a wonderful reminiscence.
― Little Latin Lupe Feebfiasco (Dan Peterson), Friday, 5 June 2015 17:09 (eight years ago) link
I'm getting a 403 forbidden page for that link...
― Poor.Old.Tired.Horse. (Stew), Friday, 5 June 2015 17:45 (eight years ago) link
http://pitchfork.com/features/articles/9676-the-33-best-33-13-books/
― The New Gay Sadness (cryptosicko), Wednesday, 1 July 2015 16:06 (eight years ago) link
maybe I'm the only one but I thought the one on Born in the USA was terrific. I think a lot about things I read in that book every time I listen to that album now.
― evol j, Wednesday, 1 July 2015 18:02 (eight years ago) link
Still need to read that one. The volume on Dangerous is the one I missed the most from the list, though I have to wonder if the writer's feelings towards the albums in question had a lot to do with his selections; the one on Loveless, for example, I thought was fine but hardly revelatory.
― The New Gay Sadness (cryptosicko), Wednesday, 1 July 2015 18:31 (eight years ago) link
just an update to say that thanks to recommendations here i got franklin bruno's volume on 'armed forces.' it's by far the best one of these i've read and i came away thinking i had learned something and that bruno is very sensitive to the right things: nuances of arrangement and lyric, interaction of elvis costello's public profile and his music, etc. that said, the organization of the book--pretty much an "alphabetical," but really more or less random, assemblage of mini-essays--was a bit of a cop-out. i thought t hat bruno had a few threads in there that would have made really excellent, linear arguments that would have been much better served by a traditional structure that provided some context, walked through the album's production and discussed the songs one by one, then talked about relevant subsequent developments, then some kind of summary. maybe that's a little square of me, but it seemed like bruno had so many great observations but failed to develop a structure that wouldl show them off to best advantage.
― wizzz! (amateurist), Wednesday, 1 July 2015 19:01 (eight years ago) link
i'm a nonlinear thinker and i often get a lot out of nonlinear writing (and franklin bruno is just awesome to start with).
― A Smedley Adoption (get bent), Wednesday, 1 July 2015 20:08 (eight years ago) link
i think writers have to make a lot of tough decisions in doing a project like this, where there are space constraints and no real compensation for all the extra work that would go into chasing those more interesting tangents.
― A Smedley Adoption (get bent), Wednesday, 1 July 2015 20:11 (eight years ago) link
i just finished the Tusk one and it sucks so bad i want to throw it away
― Cory Sklar, Wednesday, 1 July 2015 20:14 (eight years ago) link
i'm a nonlinear thinker and i often get a lot out of nonlinear writing (and franklin bruno is just awesome to start with).― A Smedley Adoption (get bent), Wednesday, July 1, 2015 3:08 PM (20 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― A Smedley Adoption (get bent), Wednesday, July 1, 2015 3:08 PM (20 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
i'm not sure what it means to say someone is a "non-linear" or "linear" thinker (don't we all think more or less the same way, broadly speaking?) but in any case, i wasn't making a general claim about the efficacy of non-linear writing, just that i thought /in this particular instance/ his points would have come through with more force and clarity had he hammered them into a more traditional argumentative structure.
― wizzz! (amateurist), Wednesday, 1 July 2015 20:30 (eight years ago) link
Linear thinkers are often very logical and cite information that they have found useful in the past to solve problems. Because of this approach to the world, linear thinkers often excel in the fields of mathematics, accounting and other technical fields. A linear thinker will likely prefer consistency and be predictable, which makes her excel in jobs that involve processes that are repeated regularly. You will be able to count on the linear thinker to get her work done when it is supposed to be done.
Nonlinear thinkers are creative, emotional thinkers. They will think of different ways to do things and come up with new, innovative ideas. Nonlinear thinkers can use their passion for originality to produce transformational products or services. If you run a business that's looking for fresh ideas that will break established patterns and challenge competitors, consider a nonlinear thinker.
― scott seward, Wednesday, 1 July 2015 20:35 (eight years ago) link
i don't think "linear" vs. "non-linear" is the best way of characterizing the distinction you're making. it sounds like pop psychology to me. kind of like the whole "chinese think this way, europeans think that way" stuff that used to be really popular.
― wizzz! (amateurist), Wednesday, 1 July 2015 20:39 (eight years ago) link
but this is an argument for another thread, i guess!
i'd like to say that i'm a linear thinker with over 8 hours of sleep, non-linear without :)
― wizzz! (amateurist), Wednesday, 1 July 2015 20:40 (eight years ago) link
i think it's my way of saying that i get restless with the "and now we cover this, and now we cover this" rigidity of a lot of nonfiction, and the storytelling i relate to most doesn't always make its motives or dot-connecting that obvious. i respond to finding the answers in unconventional ways. but some people really like rigid conventional narratives!
― A Smedley Adoption (get bent), Wednesday, 1 July 2015 22:45 (eight years ago) link
― Cory Sklar, Wednesday, July 1, 2015 9:14 PM (2 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― just sayin, Wednesday, 1 July 2015 22:48 (eight years ago) link
Someone gifted me the Beach Boys Smile one and it was so bad/useless I did throw it away! It didn't even deal with the music for some mysterious and thoroughly incomprehensible reason -- only the band's career up to that point!
― liam fennell, Thursday, 2 July 2015 11:53 (eight years ago) link
I've been having trouble getting into the SAWII and Fear Of Music ones, even though I love these albums. Much as I admire and like the idea of the 'personal take' form of book, it only works well every so often.
― cod latin (dog latin), Thursday, 2 July 2015 11:59 (eight years ago) link
Yeah, I can't imagine getting much out of the SAWII one. Seems like a really strange choice for the series.
― Position Position, Thursday, 2 July 2015 13:08 (eight years ago) link
cool idea, but some stuff is better off not being interpreted
― cod latin (dog latin), Thursday, 2 July 2015 13:10 (eight years ago) link
I have not read the SAWII one yet but the author is an excellent writer and thinker IME
― demonic mnevice (Jon Lewis), Thursday, 2 July 2015 14:20 (eight years ago) link
i just got a copy of Look! Listen! Vibrate! Smile! you ever see that thing? that thing is a whole lotta Smile action. put out by Last Gasp in the 90's.
― scott seward, Thursday, 2 July 2015 15:46 (eight years ago) link
it's really good. don't really see the point in a 33/3 book about Smile when so much has already been written about it in such vast detail.
― cod latin (dog latin), Thursday, 2 July 2015 15:49 (eight years ago) link
The SAWII one is the only one I've felt like tossing out a window.
― Acid Hose (Capitaine Jay Vee), Thursday, 2 July 2015 16:17 (eight years ago) link
I know I'll know it, but I'm drawing a blank on what SAWII stands for.
― clemenza, Thursday, 2 July 2015 16:20 (eight years ago) link
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51R45E26TVL.jpg
― lil urbane (Jordan), Thursday, 2 July 2015 16:23 (eight years ago) link
took me two googles, just add 33 third to the search
― Joan Crawford Loves Chachi, Thursday, 2 July 2015 16:25 (eight years ago) link
selected ambient works 2
― like a giraffe of nah (forksclovetofu), Thursday, 2 July 2015 16:25 (eight years ago) link
i bought The Gray Album book, read maybe 40 pages. then put it aside. then accidentally ruined it while mopping and thus threw it away. no great loss.
― RAP GAME SHANI DAVIS (Raymond Cummings), Thursday, 2 July 2015 22:20 (eight years ago) link
about to finish Matthew LeMay's book on XO by Elliott Smith, I really enjoyed it. John D.'s Master of Reality novella was fantastic.
― flappy bird, Saturday, 4 July 2015 20:24 (eight years ago) link
gonna order this surefire classic, will report back
http://333sound.com/2014/05/20/new-33-13-title-koji-kondos-super-mario-bros/
― dutch_justice, Saturday, 4 July 2015 20:45 (eight years ago) link
― just sayin, Wednesday, July 1, 2015 5:48 PM (3 days ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
OTM X2 except I think that's the only one I started and didn't even finish.
― Turn That Pout Inside Out! (Old Lunch), Sunday, 5 July 2015 04:44 (eight years ago) link
I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm going to be pretty pissed off if the Shlomo Carlebach proposal doesn't get green lighted...
― dlp9001, Thursday, 30 July 2015 23:32 (eight years ago) link
NEW THIS FALL FROM BLOOMSBURY'S 33 1/3 SERIES: Out Sept. 24, 2015:Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew by George GrellaBeat Happening’s Beat Happening by Bryan C. Parker
Out Oct. 22, 2015:Metallica’s Metallica (The Black Album) by David MasciotraPhish’s A Live One by Walter Holland
― curmudgeon, Friday, 21 August 2015 20:05 (eight years ago) link
This book, structured in abecedarian fashion, breaks down the fundamental components that defined Beat Happening’s self- titled album. Organized in a light-hearted yet incisive format, each of the book’s chapters details a particular facet of the record—band members, historic shows, recording sessions, songs, and ideologies—parts reflecting the album as a whole. These alphabetic ingredients constitute a recipe book for feeding your creative spirit
pretty bummed that it's the black album that got the nod but hopefully the book covers the Cliff years too
― tremendous crime wave and killing wave (Joan Crawford Loves Chachi), Saturday, 22 August 2015 00:00 (eight years ago) link
― wizzz! (amateurist), Wednesday, July 1, 2015 7:01 PM (1 month ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
mm i mean i think it's meant to be mirroring the object of enquiry? in that (as bruno states repeatedly iirc) costello doesn't really have a 'thesis' or an 'argument' , just a whole bunch of stuff going on. i think that book is p great tbh
― ♛ LIL UNIT ♛ (thomp), Saturday, 22 August 2015 00:08 (eight years ago) link
this pitchfork article though:
At the time of its release in 2005, this title was the only book-length examination of Neutral Milk Hotel
― ♛ LIL UNIT ♛ (thomp), Saturday, 22 August 2015 00:10 (eight years ago) link
I've really enjoyed several of these books, but as the catalog gets deeper I'm having a harder time distinguishing this series from a tall pile of MOJO.
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 22 August 2015 13:21 (eight years ago) link
http://333sound.com/2015/09/29/open-call-2015-the-shortlist/
― jaymc, Tuesday, 29 September 2015 16:52 (eight years ago) link
Lulu (JM)-Lou Reed and Metallica
is this one of y'all
― insufficiently familiar with xgau's work to comment intelligently (BradNelson), Tuesday, 29 September 2015 16:54 (eight years ago) link
No Shlomo, no credibility. Seriously, it could be the best book in the entire series by miles.
― dlp9001, Tuesday, 29 September 2015 16:56 (eight years ago) link
One of the Pinkerton proposals on the list is from a writer who identifies as "non-binary transgender". Who knows if that has anything to do with the proposal, but it could make for an interesting perspective.
― jaymc, Tuesday, 29 September 2015 17:11 (eight years ago) link
(GI) (JG) -GermsHad to look this up to make sense of it. Wasn't familiar with the Germs discog.
Muppets FTW obv. Also, hope Cobra gets a book rather than Refried Ectoplasm, and impressed that at least two people pitched the former.
But I'd read books on most of these TBH. Most exciting shortlist in… well, ever really.
― Jeff W, Tuesday, 29 September 2015 17:31 (eight years ago) link
total jazz proposals: 1 (The Inner Mounting Flame-The Mahavishnu Orchestra)
― aaaaablnnn (abanana), Tuesday, 29 September 2015 18:01 (eight years ago) link
I am so ready to pre-order a possible "Death of a Ladies Man" book.
For the most part this is the most uninspiring shortlist I've seen from 33 1/3.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Tuesday, 29 September 2015 18:05 (eight years ago) link
YESSSS
― AdamVania (Adam Bruneau), Tuesday, 29 September 2015 18:40 (eight years ago) link
is the quality of the output predictable by the albums that will be written up tho
not that i particularly care, have only read one of these things
― dyl, Tuesday, 29 September 2015 18:58 (eight years ago) link
i can't believe turn on the bright lights hasn't gotten a book yet, or anything by animal collective
― flappy bird, Tuesday, 29 September 2015 19:05 (eight years ago) link
Animal Collective fans can't don't read.
― the top man in the language department (誤訳侮辱), Tuesday, 29 September 2015 19:07 (eight years ago) link
I would definitely read a book about Death of a Ladies Man
― Οὖτις, Tuesday, 29 September 2015 19:09 (eight years ago) link
I doubt it's going to make it to the final list, but I would love an Uptown Saturday Night book.
― MarkoP, Tuesday, 29 September 2015 19:14 (eight years ago) link
yeees
― Spottie, Tuesday, 29 September 2015 19:50 (eight years ago) link
can't believe there's still never been a Violator one.
― piscesx, Tuesday, 29 September 2015 21:03 (eight years ago) link
Ten Ragas To A Disco Beat-Charanjit Singh
yessssss
― wizzz! (amateurist), Tuesday, 29 September 2015 23:20 (eight years ago) link
of course, since 95% of these books appear to suck, i won't get my hopes up
― wizzz! (amateurist), Tuesday, 29 September 2015 23:21 (eight years ago) link
also that book would sell 0.3 copies :(
disappointed that the Watertown pitch from the longlist didn't make it, one of my favorite albums ever
― the naive cockney chorus (Simon H.), Tuesday, 29 September 2015 23:23 (eight years ago) link
Brad I can't stand Lulu but I thought yr pitch was really strong, I'm having a hard time imagining the one that made the shortlist bettering it.
― the naive cockney chorus (Simon H.), Wednesday, 30 September 2015 00:50 (eight years ago) link
Everett True didn't make the shortlist:
http://www.collapseboard.com/everett-true/how-not-to-write-a-book-proposal-rejected-unknown/
I know True isn't to everyone's taste (to say the least) but this would have been a great pick IMO.
― Position Position, Wednesday, 30 September 2015 01:43 (eight years ago) link
jesus christ shut up you fucking baby
― insufficiently familiar with xgau's work to comment intelligently (BradNelson), Wednesday, 30 September 2015 01:51 (eight years ago) link
also thank you simon, needless to say i am full of curiosity and dread about the one that made the shortlist
― insufficiently familiar with xgau's work to comment intelligently (BradNelson), Wednesday, 30 September 2015 01:52 (eight years ago) link
i suppose if i were E. True i would feel pretty good about proposing a Daniel Johnston book and i would be taken aback by rejection, but...yes, what Brad said
― alpine static, Wednesday, 30 September 2015 05:22 (eight years ago) link
that E True proposal is terrible
― schlep and back trio (anagram), Wednesday, 30 September 2015 07:42 (eight years ago) link
I'm really pleased that Agata Pyzik got shortlisted, though she won't say what for. Presumably Kollaps or Solaris.
― I wear my Redditor loathing with pride (ShariVari), Wednesday, 30 September 2015 07:47 (eight years ago) link
if you only read one of these books, read TWENTY JAZZ FUNK GREATS by Drew Daniel. by far my favorite
― flappy bird, Wednesday, 30 September 2015 16:06 (eight years ago) link
I think the True proposal is great, but I can at least acknowledge that it's tonally out of step with the last 10 years or so of unambitious "here's a personal essay"-style music criticism. The word "essay" should really be nowhere near music writing.
― Position Position, Thursday, 1 October 2015 10:40 (eight years ago) link
I'm not going to rank on True. There's nothing wrong with having a hard time handling rejection. I think it's a decent proposal. Is there any market on something like Kickstarter or Patreon for writing, or is it all shitty half-baked video game/board game concepts?
― rushomancy, Thursday, 1 October 2015 12:19 (eight years ago) link
people kickstart books a lot but the whole process of writing a book likely changes in the process -- people are less likely to put aside 5k of their proceeds to hire a really good editor who'll help them shape the MS into something really great. Auteur theory is the lifeblood and Achilles heel of Kickstarter imo
― tremendous crime wave and killing wave (Joan Crawford Loves Chachi), Thursday, 1 October 2015 12:30 (eight years ago) link
there's a market for shitty half-baked writing about videogames! oh xp
― ♛ LIL UNIT ♛ (thomp), Thursday, 1 October 2015 12:36 (eight years ago) link
i suspect true's deciding to go with 'tiresome self-promotion' rather than following the advice on the pitch guidelines didn't really help his case. also curious is this list on the website:
The following projects were contracted at some point but for various reasons are now cancelled.The following albums are now fair game:
Daniel Johnston-Hi, How Are YouKate Bush-The DreamingTori Amos-Boys for PeleThe Clash–London CallingWu Tang–Enter the Wu (36 Chambers)Weezer-PinkertonBjork-BiophiliaPulp-This is Hardcore
― ♛ LIL UNIT ♛ (thomp), Thursday, 1 October 2015 12:41 (eight years ago) link
like, johnston is kind of a sensitive case, and who knows what came up related to the cancellation of the previous one (which was to be by benjamin shapiro of VICE. hm)
― ♛ LIL UNIT ♛ (thomp), Thursday, 1 October 2015 12:44 (eight years ago) link
patreon just got hacked btw
― Meta Forksclove-Liebeskind (forksclovetofu), Thursday, 1 October 2015 12:53 (eight years ago) link
I have a (frankly amazing) pitch if wholly-fictional accounts of albums that no one cares about ever become fair game.
― Famous Monsters of ILM-land (Old Lunch), Thursday, 1 October 2015 12:59 (eight years ago) link
just posting here to add my voice to everyone laughing at Everett True itt
― Hector Ringtone (DJ Mencap), Thursday, 1 October 2015 14:01 (eight years ago) link
a music version of this could be good
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Perfect_Vacuum
― wizzz! (amateurist), Thursday, 1 October 2015 19:49 (eight years ago) link
anybody who can write 50k words on, say, rosebud's "discoballs" deserves to be published.
― rushomancy, Thursday, 1 October 2015 20:56 (eight years ago) link
http://333sound.com/2015/11/04/open-call-2015-results-the-16-new-books-in-the-33-13-series/
― scott seward, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 16:37 (eight years ago) link
would probably read the Modern Lovers one...
― tylerw, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 16:40 (eight years ago) link
Have never heard of Jawbreaker, let alone any albums they've made.
― Caput Johannis in Disco (Tom D.), Wednesday, 4 November 2015 16:44 (eight years ago) link
Uptown Saturday Night!
― MarkoP, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 16:53 (eight years ago) link
xpost Have never heard of any of these authors, let alone anything they've written
(except joe gross)
― bricc baby hitlo (Whiney G. Weingarten), Wednesday, 4 November 2015 16:54 (eight years ago) link
they are the fresh young faces
― scott seward, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 16:55 (eight years ago) link
Agata Pyzik is great. Have no real interest in Japan but I'll get hers anyway.
― Al Ain Delon (ShariVari), Wednesday, 4 November 2015 17:03 (eight years ago) link
ezra furman is a singer-songwriter guy i think
― djp HOOS clouds (NickB), Wednesday, 4 November 2015 17:06 (eight years ago) link
Yep.
Re another one---Will aging baby-boomers buy "Switched-on Bach" or is there crossover and newfound interest in that 1968 Moog synth prog classical approach that I have avoided ?
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 17:13 (eight years ago) link
would red the Hag too.
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 4 November 2015 17:14 (eight years ago) link
was gonna say what whiney said
― a llove spat over a llama-keeper (forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 4 November 2015 17:14 (eight years ago) link
i'm intrigued by the angelo badalamenti/twin peaks one
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 17:15 (eight years ago) link
xxp i imagine the transgender element of wendy carlos' story will play some role
― tylerw, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 17:15 (eight years ago) link
Homogenic is the one that I'll read because I'm a fan of the album, but the Carlos one will probably be the most interesting story.
― Fetty Wap Is Strong In Here (cryptosicko), Wednesday, 4 November 2015 17:23 (eight years ago) link
i can rep for the dude who's doing the modern lovers book
― insufficiently familiar with xgau's work to comment intelligently (BradNelson), Wednesday, 4 November 2015 17:43 (eight years ago) link
cool! i feel like i haven't ever read anything particularly great about richman...
― tylerw, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 17:45 (eight years ago) link
Emily Mackay's a friend and a strong writer so I'm looking forward to Homogenic.
― impossible raver (Re-Make/Re-Model), Wednesday, 4 November 2015 17:46 (eight years ago) link
I'd like to read these five, more due to subject matter than author:
Björk’s Homogenic by Emily MackayMerle Haggard’s Okie from Muskogee by Rachel RubinSiouxsie and the Banshees’ Peepshow by Samantha BennettOl’ Dirty Bastard’s Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version by Jarett KobekWendy Carlos’ Switched-On Bach by Roshanak Kheshti
― the top man in the language department (誤訳侮辱), Wednesday, 4 November 2015 18:18 (eight years ago) link
― Memes of the Pwn Age (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 4 November 2015 18:21 (eight years ago) link
I'm still sulking over getting turned down 10 years ago, but Joe Gross wrote for my fanzine ages ago, so nice to see him on the list.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 18:24 (eight years ago) link
xp, yeah that's true, though I meant something more specifically focused on Richman -- hoping this 33 1/3 will do the trick!
― tylerw, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 18:27 (eight years ago) link
Have never heard of any of these authors, let alone anything they've written
my favorite thing about the list tbh, no disrespect but well-known usual suspects are generally gonna ride the horse they came in on. I have no idea what these ppl will write and I'm more excited to find out than I would be about somebody writing about something I've already read him/her writing about
― tremendous crime wave and killing wave (Joan Crawford Loves Chachi), Wednesday, 4 November 2015 18:35 (eight years ago) link
"Re another one---Will aging baby-boomers buy "Switched-on Bach" or is there crossover and newfound interest in that 1968 Moog synth prog classical approach that I have avoided ?"
there is definitely an increased interest (among younger people) in ancient and analog synth stuff. and there is definitely a great book to be written about their pop history and the whole moog cash-in phenomena. wendy definitely got the ball rolling.
― scott seward, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 18:35 (eight years ago) link
Wait, is THE Ezra Furman going to be writing about Transformer? Wow. I'd want to read that. (FWIW, the extended personal essay inside his current album is well-written and affecting.)
― mike t-diva, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 18:43 (eight years ago) link
I remember reading some p.decent academic pieces from Roshanak Kheshti re: world music & gender though it's worlds away from ILx music crit.
Ronen Givony seems like a way more Steve Reich/Terry Riley (or Boredoms) kinda dude, so it's a little surprising for him to be writing about Jawbreaker.
Agata Pyzik's writing on the relation between Bowie/Ultravox/Depeche Mode/etc & Eastern European kitsch as a kind of Orientalism in Poor But Sexy sets up her take on Tin Drum p.nicely.
― etc, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 18:47 (eight years ago) link
I like the selection here, not familiar with any of the writers but definitely be interested in at least half of these books, especially Tin Drum and Homogenic.
― Gavin, Leeds, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 18:56 (eight years ago) link
They should use the real album cover for the Modern Lovers one, rather than the 80s reissue with the band pic. (just being pedantic but it's iconic ffs).
― everything, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 19:18 (eight years ago) link
I know what you mean, but I honestly can't think of any other profession that would work this way. Don't get good at music writing, or even write about music much, and you will get to write a book about it.
― Position Position, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 20:31 (eight years ago) link
a lot of the usual suspects have already written one though. makes sense that they would get tons of submissions from younger people the longer they do it.
― scott seward, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 20:32 (eight years ago) link
if you were a smart college kid who could write a cool pitch that would end up looking pretty good at a future market research account manager job interview.
― scott seward, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 20:36 (eight years ago) link
If I weren't lazy and my net access wasn't limited to my phone this afternoon, I'd look up who Ezra Furman is.
May I asked which album you pitched clem?
― Fetty Wap Is Strong In Here (cryptosicko), Wednesday, 4 November 2015 20:51 (eight years ago) link
Black Vinyl Shoes. They--he--didn't seem to think the rest of the world was as enamored of the album as I am, plus it was a year where they blazed a trail in radical ways of looking at...no, I'm not still nursing a grudge.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 22:42 (eight years ago) link
i aint never reading another one of these. tusk ruined them for me.
― kurt schwitterz, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 22:49 (eight years ago) link
ha I was just thinking "that's the one to avoid" this morning when pondering which one to read next
you could always start with the collections of excerpts:
http://www.amazon.com/33-Greatest-Hits-Volume-One/dp/0826419038
― sleeve, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 23:05 (eight years ago) link
read all the ilxor ones. you can't go wrong there. geeta, wolk, d4ew, JD, etc.
― scott seward, Wednesday, 4 November 2015 23:52 (eight years ago) link
Yeah. Those plus Erik Davis.
― banned on ixlor (Jon not Jon), Thursday, 5 November 2015 00:07 (eight years ago) link
i'm right here you motherfucker
read all the ilxor ones. you can't go wrong there. geeta, wolk, d4ew, JD, etc. --scott seward
i'm RIGHT HERE, you motherfucker
― bricc baby hitlo (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 5 November 2015 00:09 (eight years ago) link
should really get round to pitching mogwai young team one of these days...
because i love rejection obv
― you too could be called a 'Star' by the Compliance Unit (jim in glasgow), Thursday, 5 November 2015 00:19 (eight years ago) link
This series has basically become a music blog in book form.
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 5 November 2015 02:57 (eight years ago) link
we luv you whiney no shade
― the tune was space, Thursday, 5 November 2015 02:58 (eight years ago) link
I am happy that my friend's proposal got picked, and sad for my other friends whose proposals got rejected this round- it's weird because people ask me for advice about their proposal and sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't and it's not a linear, predictable thing.
very excited at the prospect of a wendy carlos book too
― the tune was space, Thursday, 5 November 2015 02:59 (eight years ago) link
very sad / tough that the homogenic book is being written in the wake of mark bell's death, ugh
― the tune was space, Thursday, 5 November 2015 03:01 (eight years ago) link
Man, I totally forgot he died last year. What a loss.
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 5 November 2015 03:02 (eight years ago) link
stoked on Workbook
― flappy bird, Thursday, 5 November 2015 03:05 (eight years ago) link
fwiw ezra furman is the brother of jonah furman from the late great mass band Krill
The series is doing its own surprise releases now:
We have a surprise for you, our beloved readers, that we’re pretty excited to share with you. This week, we will be publishing a new book in the 33 1/3 series on LCD Soundsystem’s Sound of Silver, written by Ryan Leas.The book is a new addition to our original spring/summer 2016 lineup; we wanted to publish a book on Sound of Silver alongside LCD Soundsystem’s recent reunion and upcoming new album release. It seemed to us to be the perfect time for a serious, in-depth examination of this important record, and of LCD Soundsystem’s influence on and contributions to the landscape of contemporary popular music.We hope you’re as delighted about the book as we are. Please do check it out – and enjoy seeing LCD Soundsystem live if you catch them at any of their upcoming festival performances, including their highly anticipated performance at the Glastonbury Festival next week.
The book is a new addition to our original spring/summer 2016 lineup; we wanted to publish a book on Sound of Silver alongside LCD Soundsystem’s recent reunion and upcoming new album release. It seemed to us to be the perfect time for a serious, in-depth examination of this important record, and of LCD Soundsystem’s influence on and contributions to the landscape of contemporary popular music.
We hope you’re as delighted about the book as we are. Please do check it out – and enjoy seeing LCD Soundsystem live if you catch them at any of their upcoming festival performances, including their highly anticipated performance at the Glastonbury Festival next week.
― rhymes with "blondie blast" (cryptosicko), Thursday, 16 June 2016 16:47 (seven years ago) link
anyone picked this LCD book up yet? looks great.
also nice to see the Tori Amos Boys For Pele one is finally coming out next year! 10 years after its original scheduled date.
― piscesx, Monday, 11 July 2016 18:45 (seven years ago) link
The Tusk one is seriously one of the worst books I've ever read. It is the ultimate COOL STORY BRO.
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Friday, 7 April 2017 06:02 (seven years ago) link
I usually tear through these voraciously but I don't think I made it even halfway through that one. I don't know how it got past the proposal stage.
― Break the meat into the pineapples and pat them (Old Lunch), Friday, 7 April 2017 12:05 (seven years ago) link
yeah the guy admits as much in the intro
― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Friday, 7 April 2017 12:48 (seven years ago) link
He admits it shouldn't have got past the proposal stage? Wut?
― Position Position, Friday, 7 April 2017 13:03 (seven years ago) link
no, that the book is kinda crap
― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Friday, 7 April 2017 13:27 (seven years ago) link
It could've been good if he'd written a book about the Fleetwood Mac album Tusk rather than a travelogue of a journey up his own asshole (with occasional Tusk-related commentary).
― Break the meat into the pineapples and pat them (Old Lunch), Friday, 7 April 2017 14:13 (seven years ago) link
Rob Trucks is a freelance music and sports writer based in NYC. He has published four books on baseball
― heaven parker (anagram), Friday, 7 April 2017 14:55 (seven years ago) link
You make it sound quite good! (I've Not read it)
― Mark G, Friday, 7 April 2017 16:40 (seven years ago) link
It's not! (Don't waste your time.)
NB: I've liked or loved or LOOOOVED (the Celine and Darnielle's Sabbath book come to mind) every other 33 1/3 I've read.
― Break the meat into the pineapples and pat them (Old Lunch), Friday, 7 April 2017 16:54 (seven years ago) link
Tusk, OK Computer, and Wowee Zowee are all shit for those reasons. the Loveless one is sorta in between but I dug it.
best ones i've read are Song Cycle, 20 Jazz Funk Greats, Master of Reality, and There's a Riot Goin' On.
― flappy bird, Friday, 7 April 2017 17:03 (seven years ago) link
20 jazz funk greats is definitely my favorite
i picked up franklin bruno's armed forces one recently. that one RULES
― ToddBonzalez (BradNelson), Friday, 7 April 2017 17:03 (seven years ago) link
I liked Armed Forces except for all the stuff about "He goes from a diminished C to a G7" or whatever was in there. Riot Goin on is v good too! Still have to read 20 Jazz Funk Greats
― SSN Lucci (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 7 April 2017 17:06 (seven years ago) link
ah i love whenever the author is a musician/talks about the record in musical terms- though i understand how that could be tedious for people who don't care. that's honestly what I'm looking for in every 33 1/3 book i pick up. the Aja one is great for that reason
― flappy bird, Friday, 7 April 2017 17:24 (seven years ago) link
ah i love whenever the author is a musician/talks about the record in musical terms
That's fascinating given that you don't understand what a musician or a riff is.
― ...so music and chicken have become intertwined (Turrican), Friday, 7 April 2017 17:54 (seven years ago) link
don't start that again
― ToddBonzalez (BradNelson), Friday, 7 April 2017 17:55 (seven years ago) link
It could've been good if he'd written a book about the Fleetwood Mac album Tusk rather than a travelogue of a journey up his own asshole (with occasional Tusk-related commentary).― Break the meat into the pineapples and pat them (Old Lunch), Friday, April 7, 2017 2:13 PM (three hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― Break the meat into the pineapples and pat them (Old Lunch), Friday, April 7, 2017 2:13 PM (three hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
So it's basically a book about the author and how the album relates to the author, rather than a book exploring the creation of the album? Sounds like a right snooze.
― ...so music and chicken have become intertwined (Turrican), Friday, 7 April 2017 17:58 (seven years ago) link
yup, way too many 33 1/3 books are like that. a lot of the early ones are like that, newer ones less so
― flappy bird, Friday, 7 April 2017 18:05 (seven years ago) link
I feel like that approach can work if the writer's personal experience of discovering the album helps contextualize the setting in which the album was created. Lethem's Fear of Music kind of does this; he was a teenager experiencing the weirdness of NYC in the late 70s listening to an album that was, in large part, about the weirdness of NYC in the late 70s. But I agree--too often it just takes the form of "I was working at a college radio station when this weird looking record cover caught my eye and oh by the way here is what I was studying at the time and here's who I had a crush on and here's what I was eating" etc.
― some sad trombone Twilight Zone shit (cryptosicko), Friday, 7 April 2017 18:15 (seven years ago) link
the personal approach is fine, as long as the writer is ... a good writer.
― tylerw, Friday, 7 April 2017 18:17 (seven years ago) link
"When we reached for the same album at the music store that day, I knew that our friendship was destined to blossom into something much more profound. The name of that album? Take Off Your Pants and Jacket. And that's...the rest of the story. Good day!"
― Break the meat into the pineapples and pat them (Old Lunch), Friday, 7 April 2017 18:20 (seven years ago) link
I would actually read Paul Harvey's Take Off Your Pants and Jacket.
― some sad trombone Twilight Zone shit (cryptosicko), Friday, 7 April 2017 18:24 (seven years ago) link
the personal approach is fine, as long as the writer is ... a good writer.― tylerw, Friday, April 7, 2017 6:17 PM (nine minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― tylerw, Friday, April 7, 2017 6:17 PM (nine minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
Or an interesting person.
― ...so music and chicken have become intertwined (Turrican), Friday, 7 April 2017 18:30 (seven years ago) link
or both, preferably!
― tylerw, Friday, 7 April 2017 18:32 (seven years ago) link
i just read the new modern lovers 33 1/3, it was good! some interesting interweaving of boston history with the band's story.
― tylerw, Friday, 7 April 2017 18:33 (seven years ago) link
the one on Super Mario Bros. soundtrack is really good for a musical term for the layperson approach
― AdamVania (Adam Bruneau), Friday, 7 April 2017 18:56 (seven years ago) link
― tylerw, Friday, April 7, 2017 11:33 AM (thirty minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
my friend sean wrote that one! it is indeed good. love how often aerosmith appears
― ToddBonzalez (BradNelson), Friday, 7 April 2017 19:04 (seven years ago) link
haha yeah, funny to even imagine steven tyler and jonathan richman breathing the same air
― tylerw, Friday, 7 April 2017 19:05 (seven years ago) link
AEROSMITH ROCKS NATICK
― iris marduk (Jon not Jon), Friday, 7 April 2017 19:06 (seven years ago) link
I recently tried to read Alan Warner's Tago Mago. Warner has a lot of leeway for various reasons but this just a rambling mess, really. Didn't get on with Hugo Wilcken's Low either, despite loving his novel, Colony. Favourite has easily been the Darnielle.
― The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums (Chinaski), Friday, 7 April 2017 19:28 (seven years ago) link
liked Armed Forces except for all the stuff about "He goes from a diminished C to a G7" or whatever was in there.
i'm curious: were you ok with his equally close reading of costello's words and syllables, or did that bother you too?
i loved the book and loved all that stuff. there are so few people writing about pop who can dig under the hood of the music that effectively. alex ross obviously can whenever he approaches pop. i appreciate people who can use actual music to critique music. in the armed forces book, i thought bruno made clear why he was doing it and did a good job of explaining what it meant.
― fact checking cuz, Friday, 7 April 2017 19:55 (seven years ago) link
Darnielle, Erik Davis, Matos my big faves
― iris marduk (Jon not Jon), Friday, 7 April 2017 19:59 (seven years ago) link
The ATCQ book is from a personal perspective and is well written/enjoyable imho.
― MaresNest, Friday, 7 April 2017 20:21 (seven years ago) link
The Achtung Baby and OK Computer ones are the worst I've come across.
― MaresNest, Friday, 7 April 2017 20:22 (seven years ago) link
in the armed forces book, i thought bruno made clear why he was doing it and did a good job of explaining what it meant.
― fact checking cuz, Friday, April 7, 2017 3:55 PM (thirty-two minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
I read it a long time ago!
― SSN Lucci (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 7 April 2017 20:29 (seven years ago) link
oh! the one on Low by Bowie is fantastic for production/sound nerds
― flappy bird, Friday, 7 April 2017 20:36 (seven years ago) link
Just read Matos SOTT book and it was marvellous, just a joy (Nick I need to post it back to you!).
The Riot book is good but there's not much in it that's not taken from the In Their Own Words Sly book from the early 90s (which is $$$s and crazy rare now so fair enough)
― hot bech babes lick the feemer and get the skeletor fever. (stevie), Saturday, 8 April 2017 17:33 (seven years ago) link
Anyone read the Bitches Brew one?
― I hear from this arsehole again, he's going in the river (James Morrison), Sunday, 9 April 2017 10:46 (seven years ago) link
I have it here but never finished it. Grella's a good writer, but the territory was too familiar - he wasn't telling me anything I didn't already know from reading a half dozen other books on Miles, album liner notes, etc., etc. If you're not up to your eyeballs in Davisiana, though, it's good.
― Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr, and Violent J (誤訳侮辱), Sunday, 9 April 2017 12:56 (seven years ago) link
Honestly, the more interesting Miles 33 1/3 would probably be On the Corner – the impact is just about as significant but the story and how the record was made is a bit less known. But who knows – maybe in a era where we have Phil's book, Tingen's book and the OTC box, even some of that may be well known enough.
I had an idea a gazillion years back to write one on Keith Jarrett's The Sun Bear Concerts—it's just such a 70s era artifact—but realized my submission would likely have a much better chance if I did the better known (and selling) Köln Concert.
― Naive Teen Idol, Sunday, 9 April 2017 14:11 (seven years ago) link
anyone get round to the Sound Of Silver book yet? or does anyone have any other faves worth checking out? i couldn't get along with the OK Computer one at all.
― piscesx, Sunday, 23 July 2017 12:52 (six years ago) link
OK Computer might be the worst one. Been meaning to read the one for There's a Riot Goin On for ages, been sitting on my desk.
― flappy bird, Sunday, 23 July 2017 15:03 (six years ago) link
OK Computer and Achtung Baby are the worst one's i've read.
― MaresNest, Sunday, 23 July 2017 16:24 (six years ago) link
Call me old fashioned, but I've enjoyed most of the ones that stick to the expected formula: a little band history, a little making of the album, and maybe break it down for me track by track. And it really helps if they have access to the band to do interviews.
The book on Portishead's Dummy was my favorite example of this format, and it definitely gave me a deeper appreciation for that album.(in the same vein: Bowie's Low, Aphex Twin's SAWII, Neutral Milk Hotel's Aeroplane, Pixies' Doolitte, Devo's Freedom of Choice)
And at the risk of immediately contradicting myself, Carl Wilson's book on Celine Dion completely breaks from that classic formula, but it's just a great piece of writing. A sort of treatise on taste, art, credibility, and hipsterdom, with Celine Dion as a framing device. That one could really exist outside of the series, since it's brimming over with big ideas.
― enochroot, Monday, 24 July 2017 01:22 (six years ago) link
ooh
https://media.bloomsbury.com/rep/f/9781501323072.jpg
https://bloomsbury.com/uk/lou-reeds-transformer-9781501323058/
― piscesx, Monday, 16 April 2018 22:11 (six years ago) link
I was really hoping this revive was because they're accepting pitches again :(
― The Harsh Tutelage of Michael McDonald (Raymond Cummings), Monday, 16 April 2018 22:32 (six years ago) link
(but that said I'm game for this book)
coming soon to spotify
― adam the (abanana), Thursday, 10 May 2018 19:52 (six years ago) link
Ooh, I wonder which ones and who will read them
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 10 May 2018 20:32 (six years ago) link
Or would it just be the existing audiobooks that you can find on places like Audible?
― MarkoP, Thursday, 10 May 2018 22:21 (six years ago) link
I think it’s just the audiobooks.
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Saturday, 12 May 2018 17:18 (six years ago) link
That would be great, actually.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Saturday, 12 May 2018 17:25 (six years ago) link
There are Japanese iterations of these coming out, the Perfume one already is and there are books on Happy End and YMO coming.
https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/series/33-13-japan/
― MaresNest, Saturday, 12 May 2018 18:19 (six years ago) link
I love when these books walk that fine line between album biography and personal narrative about the significance of such record to the author ("Sign O The Times" by Michaelangelo Matos being the apotheosis).
― Prefecture, Monday, 14 May 2018 02:38 (five years ago) link
Holy shit that Japanese series looks awesome!
― Daniel_Rf, Monday, 14 May 2018 09:40 (five years ago) link
Psyched for this, if only because it's been delayed on and off for more than a decade. November 1st, all being well.
https://wordery.com/jackets/c18f055c/m/9781501321313.jpg
https://wordery.com/tori-amoss-boys-for-pele-amy-gentry-9781501321313
― piscesx, Thursday, 16 August 2018 22:09 (five years ago) link
Another open call for proposals:
https://333sound.com/how-to-submit/
― the grateful dead can dance (anagram), Tuesday, 12 May 2020 15:00 (four years ago) link
I just saw that there's a Brazil series of these, including one on Milton Nascimento & Lo Borges's Clube de Esquina. Anyone read these?
― eatandoph (Neue Jesse Schule), Friday, 30 October 2020 02:01 (three years ago) link
I knew there was a Brazil series and a Japan series. Didn't know until today that there was a Europe series:https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/series/33-13-europe/
― MarkoP, Friday, 30 October 2020 02:07 (three years ago) link
I read the book on Getz/Gilberto, certainly a good resource on Bossa Nova and its importation to the US, Brazilian cultural history, etc. The physical book was larger than the typical books in the series, and may have had a bigger page count as well.
― Halfway there but for you, Friday, 30 October 2020 03:19 (three years ago) link
looks interesting
https://333sound.com/nine-reasons-why-i-chose-to-write-a-book-about-24-carat-blacks-ghetto-misfortunes-wealth/
― Muswell Hillbilly Elegy (President Keyes), Wednesday, 23 December 2020 15:04 (three years ago) link
that does look cool. i always want to submit a proposal but whenever i check the window for submissions is closed...
― treeship., Wednesday, 23 December 2020 15:55 (three years ago) link
i love that album
― the serious avant-garde universalist right now (forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 23 December 2020 18:16 (three years ago) link
I've been reading the recent one on Tim Maia's Racional albums and really liking it. Very informative and detailed at almost 250 pages, goes through that 2-year period of his life almost week by week.
I'm excited to go through the rest of the Brazil series, I love a lot of those albums but don't always have the easiest time tracking down historical info and context for them.
― nobody like my rap (One Eye Open), Tuesday, 29 December 2020 17:24 (three years ago) link
https://333sound.com/announcing-the-latest-33-1-3s/?fbclid=IwAR1QdKEZsDxwqYF22CJD2pBJimA26pECkxinzZCvVh0yDQLIe_xcH6H4AN8
class of '23/'24 just dropped
― J Edgar Noothgrush (Joan Crawford Loves Chachi), Tuesday, 31 August 2021 20:40 (two years ago) link
My pitch didn’t make the cut but this looks like a good crop!
― Legalize Suburban Benches (Raymond Cummings), Tuesday, 31 August 2021 21:19 (two years ago) link
101?? Fantastic!
― piscesx, Wednesday, 1 September 2021 01:23 (two years ago) link
BBC Radiophonic Workshop! Wow.
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Wednesday, 1 September 2021 02:42 (two years ago) link
Is the Suicide book good? Just started the Portishead one last night, it's good but a bit too heavy on how good the album is and I guess I knew too much about the making of Dummy to start with.
― papal hotwife (milo z), Sunday, 3 July 2022 23:32 (one year ago) link
Recent discussion of Suicide books & related on Good books about music
― dow, Sunday, 3 July 2022 23:38 (one year ago) link
Suicide one is OK, but not brilliant. Written as a novel, but stylistically flat.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Monday, 4 July 2022 11:27 (one year ago) link
i want to like these for real but mostly i appreciate them for banishing any overachiever syndrome i might have
i've only read a handful but they are not great? it's rough
that said i desperately want rushomancy to write a book about pink floyd. just in general, honestly. but also from a trans pov. maybe one of those books with similar texts (but not quite!) on opposing pages
― mookieproof, Friday, 22 July 2022 03:21 (one year ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwwcakTnoDo
(IIRC not much Floyd commentary here, regrettably)
― eatandoph (Neue Jesse Schule), Friday, 22 July 2022 03:42 (one year ago) link
Get your proposals in gear
https://333sound.com/open-call-for-proposals-2022/
― The Triumphant Return of Bernard & Stubbs (Raymond Cummings), Monday, 5 September 2022 19:07 (one year ago) link
Gotta say, really happy with some of the albums that are cropping up lately: That's the Way of the World, Madvillainy, Erotica, Once Upon a Time, all A+
― عباس کیارستمی (Eric H.), Thursday, 22 December 2022 13:39 (one year ago) link
The EW&F book looked fetching. How's Erotica?
― Malevolent Arugula (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 22 December 2022 13:43 (one year ago) link
Not released til next spring
― عباس کیارستمی (Eric H.), Thursday, 22 December 2022 14:35 (one year ago) link
Erotica will be a must-read for me.
― Les hommes de bonbons (cryptosicko), Thursday, 22 December 2022 15:48 (one year ago) link
put your hands all over that book!
― Malevolent Arugula (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 22 December 2022 16:05 (one year ago) link
You're a thief of books, and now you have to pay (for that book)
― عباس کیارستمی (Eric H.), Thursday, 22 December 2022 16:37 (one year ago) link
Really looking forward to reading the Ingenue one as there seems to be next to nothing written about it anywhere (or kd herself come to that).
― piscesx, Thursday, 22 December 2022 17:49 (one year ago) link
New announcements include Badu!
― عباس کیارستمی (Eric H.), Saturday, 28 January 2023 17:45 (one year ago) link
I'm most intrigued by Red Hot + Blue.
― jaymc, Saturday, 28 January 2023 20:05 (one year ago) link
All of them look interesting. I submitted a proposal this time but it was turned down. :-(
― treeship., Saturday, 28 January 2023 20:36 (one year ago) link
did you get a reply from them? I heard nothing after I submitted a proposal in 2020.
― Camaraderie at Arms Length, Saturday, 28 January 2023 20:54 (one year ago) link
Red Hot + Blue is such an amazing choice. I thought only I liked it! Discovered recently that Ed Lachman got the Songs For Drella gig because of the RH+B video he made for Annie Lennox.
Here’s the full Red Hot And Blue film btw.. https://vimeo.com/46642017
― piscesx, Sunday, 29 January 2023 00:24 (one year ago) link
I like that it's Nu Amerykah pt 2, which quietly became my favorite Badu album.
― change display name (Jordan), Sunday, 29 January 2023 00:52 (one year ago) link
I'm definitely gonna read the Land of Rape and Honey one (the author is a friend), and I'm intrigued by the idea of books on Café Tacvba and the Isley Brothers.
― but also fuck you (unperson), Sunday, 29 January 2023 01:32 (one year ago) link
Do they ever just take a regular ass person or does everyone with an accepted entry have some kind of journalistic experience?
― zacata, Sunday, 29 January 2023 03:26 (one year ago) link
Aside from having a blog, I was a regular ass person. My 33 1/3 book was the one and only time I ever got paid to write about music.
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Sunday, 29 January 2023 04:39 (one year ago) link
xp didn't hear anything. i assume they get a lot of proposals, and looking back i could have made mine more focused and less academic.
i am a regular ass person, though, so it's good to hear that they've taken from others who aren't music critics. i have written professionally about art and architecture but not music.
― treeship., Sunday, 29 January 2023 17:13 (one year ago) link
Just finished the Achtung Baby book, and...yeesh. Nothing wrong with having your own take on what songs mean, and obviously religion does inform a lot of Bono's lyrics, but this was basically a stealth religious tract! I would have said the writer had a very strained interpretation of the lyrics to fit his beliefs, but in honesty, from about the halfway point he barely even bothers to refer to the actual songs in any way, and instead goes on and on about this hypothetical man and woman that the entire album is supposedly about.
I bought the 33.33s of 69 Love Songs, Another Green World and Aeroplane Over the Sea on the same shopping trip, and hope they're better (how could they not be?...)
― Duane Barry, Sunday, 16 April 2023 18:29 (one year ago) link
I remember enjoying the latter two a whole lot
― change display name (Jordan), Sunday, 16 April 2023 18:31 (one year ago) link
Just discovered that there is a Brazilian equivalent, in Portuguese of course.
― The Titus Andromedon Strain (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 16 April 2023 19:50 (one year ago) link
treeship. at 5:13 29 Jan 23xp didn't hear anything. i assume they get a lot of proposals, and looking back i could have made mine more focused and less academic.i am a regular ass person, though, so it's good to hear that they've taken from others who aren't music critics. i have written professionally about art and architecture but not music.
― the world is your octopus (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Friday, 16 June 2023 14:53 (ten months ago) link
Please, someone pitch sellout jazz-funk
― fair but so uncool beliefs here (Eric H.), Friday, 16 June 2023 15:42 (ten months ago) link
or microhouse
― MaresNest, Friday, 16 June 2023 15:46 (ten months ago) link
Damn, I always think about pitching one for New Orleans brass band, and the genre format would be much better than a single album (at least for wider appeal). But I'm sure it would take over my life, and pinning down all the musicians for interviews would be an exhausting process.
― Random Restaurateur (Jordan), Friday, 16 June 2023 17:35 (ten months ago) link
The one about Depeche Mode 101 looks promising..
Table of Contents1. Live or Memorex?2. Is “Music” Electric?3. It's Hip, it's Totally Hip, It's the Only Thing Happening4. Dreamboats and Market Shares5. Uneasy Listening6. America, Man7. “KROQ's Woodstock”8. No Mode, No Nirvana: 101 and its Legacy
https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/depeche-modes-101-9781501390326/
― piscesx, Sunday, 18 June 2023 18:42 (ten months ago) link
Missed a trick by not having it as #101 in the series.
― Dan Worsley, Sunday, 18 June 2023 18:50 (ten months ago) link
That wouldn't bode well for a book about Yes' 90125
― Hideous Lump, Sunday, 18 June 2023 20:06 (ten months ago) link
I started to put together a genre pitch back in the initial round but then realized I’d much rather just write about one album.
― The Triumphant Return of Bernard & Stubbs (Raymond Cummings), Sunday, 18 June 2023 20:09 (ten months ago) link
other than an ilxor writing about dolly parton i don't recognize the names of anyone writing new books. (not that i ever read them. i never see them anywhere anymore! i think i would have to live in a city to see them...or be an internet shopper...)
― scott seward, Sunday, 18 June 2023 21:20 (ten months ago) link
RC, you should do a wolf eyes book. has anyone done one? or a noise book!
― scott seward, Sunday, 18 June 2023 21:21 (ten months ago) link
Who knows, man? Who knows…
― The Triumphant Return of Bernard & Stubbs (Raymond Cummings), Sunday, 18 June 2023 21:53 (ten months ago) link
I would read Jordan on New Orleans brass !
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 20 June 2023 18:29 (ten months ago) link
Pulp’s This is Hardcore coming next year by Jane Savidge.
https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/pulps-this-is-hardcore-9798765106952/
― piscesx, Sunday, 2 July 2023 04:11 (ten months ago) link
Nice.
― Looking For Mr. Goodreads (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 2 July 2023 18:47 (ten months ago) link
The Dead C’s Clyma est mort
wow!
― Reeves Gabrels' Funko Pop (majorairbro), Tuesday, 4 July 2023 08:35 (ten months ago) link
ooh nice
― out-of-print LaserDisc edition (sleeve), Tuesday, 4 July 2023 16:22 (ten months ago) link
!
― The Triumphant Return of Bernard & Stubbs (Raymond Cummings), Tuesday, 4 July 2023 16:36 (ten months ago) link
Just a warning--the Dead C's one is in 33 1/3 Oceania which I learned, on buying two of the books in that series yesterday, is a completely different size to the rest of the books. This is aesthetically maddening.https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F0K_qQoaIAEfvmw?format=jpg&name=large
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Tuesday, 4 July 2023 23:11 (ten months ago) link
This one just came in at the library. Looks interesting:
https://333sound.com/vopli-vidopliassovas-tantsi-excerpt/
― Alito Bit of Soap (President Keyes), Monday, 17 July 2023 18:18 (nine months ago) link
oh, excellent. one of the best post soviet bands and one of the best post soviet albums. i still remember seeing the Tantsi video when it was first broadcast.
― scanner darkly, Monday, 17 July 2023 20:59 (nine months ago) link
Have to say the upcoming Erotica book sounds fascinating
Everyone wanted Madonna’s Erotica to be scandalous, even pornographic. In the midst of the early 1990s culture wars, conservatives wanted it to be proof of the decline of family values. The target of conservative loathing, gay men reeling from the AIDS epidemic wanted it to be a celebration of a sexual culture that had rapidly slipped away. And of course Madonna herself, who released the album at the same time as her actually pornographic coffee-book table simply titled Sex, knew sex sells. But Erotica is more sentimental than sexual. At a time when sex was deadly, this sentimentality was not kitsch, but a way of sustaining a sexual culture. In this book, Michael Dango shows how Erotica marks an inflection point in multiple narratives. It is the album in which Madonna began more directly addressing her gay audience, at the same time that gay politics was transitioning from a sexual liberation framework to a rights-based framework that would ultimately culminate in same-sex marriage. To tell this story, Dango draws on his own experiences positioned between two generations of gay people―between a generation decimated by AIDS and a generation that grew up assuming they would be able to get married―as well as works of queer theory, which emerged in the academy at the same time as Madonna emerged on the music scene.
https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/product/michael-dango/madonnas-erotica-33-13
― piscesx, Sunday, 13 August 2023 19:59 (nine months ago) link
I expect nothing less than one of this series’ finest moments from that entry
― fair but so uncool beliefs here (Eric H.), Sunday, 13 August 2023 20:53 (nine months ago) link
I sometimes daydream about which album I would write about were I to ever send in a proposal. And I think I've worked out that it would have to be Confield by Autechre. Partly because I've already written a good 3 or 4 articles about them in the past and I'm a big nerd; but specifically this album because while it is likely their most well-recognised album, it's also the one I've had most trouble getting to grips with. And it's precisely this "thorniness", with 22 years' hindsight, that I'd like to make peace with. Whereas I could probably wax lyrical about LP5 or Sign or Oversteps, it's Confield that I think would yield the most interesting writing
― ...eh you get the gist of it (dog latin), Tuesday, 3 October 2023 19:51 (seven months ago) link
I would love to read that.
― The Triumphant Return of Bernard & Stubbs (Raymond Cummings), Tuesday, 3 October 2023 22:21 (seven months ago) link
I daydream about writing one on You and Your Sister by the Vulgar Boatmen.
― Lily Dale, Tuesday, 3 October 2023 23:43 (seven months ago) link
It looks like two really great ones are out this month and next month; Erotica and Ingenue, good timing too considering they’re both from the same year.
― piscesx, Wednesday, 4 October 2023 00:26 (seven months ago) link
Open call for Proposals for 2024, deadline is March 29th.
https://333sound.com/33-1-3-open-call-for-proposals-2024/
― piscesx, Thursday, 8 February 2024 14:16 (three months ago) link