Random thoughts on next week’s new books (and more):
1 | Many years ago, I stayed up to watch rapper MF Doom do his thing for a handful of diehards in a nearly deserted Austin bar at 2 a.m., so count me in for the new bio on the masked marvel;
2 | I have always wished I knew more about Firesign Theatre; if that appplies to you too, a new book about them is just what the doc ordered;
3 | How the hell can Martin Popoff publish a new coffeetable book every week when I can barely get this roundup done?;
4 | Based on the tone / style / direction / general thrust of next week’s offerings, we have officially entered the holiday shopping / gift-guide / stocking stuffer portion of the fall, so govern yourself accordingly;
5 | General Thrust would be a great name for the star of a military-themed porn flick;
6 | The J. Geils Band’s Full House is the greatest live album ever released, and I’ll fight anyone who says different;
7 | The guy who came up with a Where’s Waldo?-style book featuring the guys from Rush should have been given the Order of Canada years ago. That is all. For now. Onward:
The Chronicles of Doom: Unraveling Rap’s Masked Iconoclast
By S.H. Fernando Jr.
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “On Dec. 31, 2020, the world was shocked to learn about the death of hip-hop legend MF Doom. Born in London and raised in the suburban enclave of Long Beach, New York, Daniel Dumile Jr.’s love of cartoons and comic books would soon turn him into one of hip-hop’s most enigmatic, prolific, and influential figures. Sweeping and definitive, The Chronicles of Doom: Unraveling Rap’s Masked Iconoclast recounts the rise, fall, redemption, and untimely demise of MF Doom. Broken down into five sections: The Man, The Myth, The Mask, The Music, and The Legend, journalist S.H. Fernando chronicles the life of Dumile, beginning in the house he grew up in in Long Beach, NY, into the hip-hop group KMD, onto the stage of his first masked show, through the countless collabs, and across the many different cities Daniel called home. Centering the music, Fernando deftly lays out the history of east-coast rap against Doom’s life story and dissects the personas, projects, tracks, and lyrics that led to his immortality. Including exclusive interviews with those who worked closely with Doom, The Chronicles of Doom is the definitive biography of an artist who was a supervillain on stage and hero to those who paid attention.”
Hallowed Be Thy Name: The Iron Maiden Bible
By Martin Popoff
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In Hallowed Be Thy Name: The Iron Maiden Bible, readers embark on a thrilling journey through the tumultuous history of one of the world’s most legendary heavy-metal bands. With unparalleled access to band members, managers, and exclusive archives, Martin Popoff provides an intimate look into the life and times of Iron Maiden. From their humble beginnings in the dingy clubs of East London to headlining arenas and festivals worldwide, the band’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and unrelenting dedication to the present day. Dive deep into their music, stage performances, and the iconic figure of Eddie, their undead mascot. Readers will discover the stories behind all their albums — from Killers, The Number of the Beast and Powerslave, through to their most recent, Senjutsu (and all solo releases) — as well as the controversies and triumphs that shaped the band. Explore the highs and lows of their evolving lineup, from the early days with Paul Di’Anno to the arrival of Bruce Dickinson and beyond. Hallowed Be Thy Name: The Iron Maiden Bible delves into the band’s conceptual depth, dissecting the themes of their songs, the inspirations behind their lyrics, and the influence they’ve had on countless artists and fans. It’s a must-read for any music enthusiast, a tribute to the indomitable spirit of Iron Maiden, and a celebration of their enduring six-decade legacy in the realm of heavy metal.”
Firesign: The Electromagnetic History Of Everything As Told On Nine Comedy Albums
By Jeremy Braddock
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “This expansive book reclaims the Firesign Theatre (hazily remembered as a comedy act for stoners) as critically engaged artists working in the heart of the culture industry at a time of massive social and technological change. At the intersection of popular music, sound and media studies, cultural history, and avant-garde literature, Jeremy Braddock explores how this inventive group made the lowbrow comedy album a medium for registering the contradictions and collapse of the counterculture, and traces their legacies in hip-hop turntablism, computer hacking, and participatory fan culture. He deploys a vast range of material sources, drawing on numerous interviews and writing in tune with the group’s obsessive and ludic reflections — on multitrack recording, radio, television, cinema, early artificial intelligence, and more — to focus on Firesign’s work in Los Angeles from 1967 to 1975. This ebullient act of media archaeology reveals Firesign Theatre as authors of a comic utopian pessimism that will inspire 21st-century recording arts and urge us to engage the massive technological changes of our own era.”
Sinéad O’Connor: The Last Interview And Other Conversations
Edited by Melville House
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Sinéad O’Connor’s music — both in her songwriting and in her beautiful voice — addressed both emotional despair and incandescent joy with glorious ardor. But she may have been just as well known for her outspokenness. This collection of interviews covers the entire span of O’Connor’s career, from the early days to her last interview. From giddy teenager to seasoned superstar, she speaks candidly about her meteoric rise to fame, and recounts what happened when she ripped up a photo of Pope John Paul II on live television in an act of protest. Unguarded and unpredictable, O’Connor was a woman who electrified the globe: imaginative, opinionated, and eloquent.”
J. Geils Band: Every Album, Every Song
By James Romag
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The J. Geils Band were the original bad boys from Boston, getting down to it and blowing your face out every night. With classic albums like Full House, Bloodshot, Love Stinks, and the massively successful Freeze-Frame, Geils have been nominated for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame no fewer than five times since 2005. From their early days as R&B and blues purists, through defining tracks like Looking For A Love, the instrumental Whammer Jammer and the Top 40 Give It To Me to global fame with radio staples Love Stinks, Centerfold and Freeze-Frame, the band created a unique sound and turned every show into a house party. Though it took time for record sales to catch up to their live reputation, by the early 1980s there were few hotter acts than The J. Geils Band. The definitive companion to the music of this hard drivin’ band, this is a comprehensive overview of every track on Geils’ 11 studio albums, with a look at their official live releases and a rundown of the musicians’ projects beyond the band. This makes clear why Geils, often referred to as America’s answer to The Rolling Stones, were the funkiest band in the land.”
Spinning Around: The Kylie Playlist
Edited by Angela Savage & Kirsten Krauth
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Australian icon Kylie Minogue is the musical muse for this sparkling new anthology. Two dozen writers used a Kylie Minogue song as the springboard for a new, original piece of work, covering the genres of crime, memoir, speculative fiction, poetry and science fiction. The songs featured include tracks from Kylie’s 1987 release I Should Be So Lucky all the way through to songs from her recent album Tension.”
The Pocket Billie Eilish
By Gemini
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Dave Grohl once said of Billie Eilish in an interview, ‘When I see f**king Billie Eilish, that’s rock ’n’ roll to me. She started a revolution and took over the world.’ With background on the rise of Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell from bedroom singer through environmental activist and Met Gala fashion icon to global phenomenon, this little book gives you all the facts, trivia and anecdotes about the artist. Here you will get a inside look at her creative process with her brother Finneas, the stories behind her songs, her life at home and in the spotlight, and her unique style, both musically and sartorially.”
The Pocket Ariana Grande
By Gemini
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “From her Nickelodeon years as Cat Valentine and subsequent teen-idol status to her chart-topping music career, Ariana Grande has marked herself as an all-round performer, solo super-talent and an artistic collaborator. With facts and stats on her childhood and family, her Broadway and TV appearances, her songs, albums and tours — as well as that incredible four-octave voice — this is a must-have purchase for all fans.”
The Ultimate Book of Blues Guitar Legends
By Pete Prown
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Sure to strike a chord with guitarists and blues fans, this authoritative and photo-filled volume includes over 150 of the genre’s greatest players and performers from the prewar era to present. From blues pioneers like Robert Johnson, Son House, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Memphis Minnie to today’s hottest guitar slingers such as Derek Trucks, Joe Bonamassa, Gary Clark Jr. and Samantha Fish, The Ultimate Book of Blues Guitar Legends is your guide to the instruments and musicians that made blues a cornerstone of American culture and the very foundation of rock ’n’ roll. Author and guitar journalist Pete Prown presents his subjects by blues-defining eras and subgenres, including: early acoustic and country blues, Chicago blues, the British Invasion, blues rock, and more. Prown’s knowledgeable discussions examine specific noteworthy guitars each player made famous, as well as effects pedals, amplifiers, and career overviews that include the players’ first-person revelations and insights. Illustrated with photos of the guitarists in action, the book also features sidebars on influencers who were pioneers of various styles and subgenres, techniques like slide guitar, blues jargon, and influential women who helped shape the blues.”
The Periodic Table of Hip Hop
By Neil Kulkarni
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Welcome to The Periodic Table Of Hip Hop. Instead of hydrogen to helium, here you’ll find James Brown to Kanye West — 94 artists that have defined hip-hop arranged following the logic of The Periodic Table of Elements. MCs, DJs, rappers and producers are the elements here, and this expert guide orders them to reveal their contrasts and connections, along with key movements and moments in the history of this music genre. Includes: James Brown, P-Funk, Kool Herc, Melle Mel, Sugarhill Records, Fab Five Freddy, Whodini, Run DMC, Rick Rubin, LL Cool J, Kanye West and Jay Z and many, many more.”
International Velvet: How Wales Conquered the ’90s Charts
By Neil Collins
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The 1970s and ’80s were a bleak time for much of Wales: The closure of steel works and coal mines led to mass unemployment while the country’s culture and language were disregarded by politicians and the music industry alike. Some bands even traveled across the Severn Bridge to make sure their records arrived at the London offices sporting an English postmark. The 1990s changed everything. While Wales was already known for Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, and bands such as Catatonia, Manic Street Preachers, Stereophonics and Super Furry Animals exploded into the charts and showed the UK population the breadth of what this small but inherently musical nation could offer. Meanwhile, the Welsh-language television channel S4C gained new prominence and a new Welsh assembly was on the horizon. Featuring fresh analysis and new interviews, International Velvet charts music in the U.K. during the decade of the Cool Cymru cultural movement, showing how it inspired the still-vibrant Welsh music scene into the twenty-first century and beyond.”
Pig City: From The Saints To Savage Garden
By Andrew Stafford
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “From cult heroes like The Saints and Go-Betweens to national icons like Powderfinger and international stars such as Savage Garden, Brisbane has produced more than its share of great bands. But behind the music there’s a ghost city of malice and corruption. Persecuted by the government and its toughest enforcers — the police — Brisbane’ s musicians, radio announcers and political activists braved ignorance, harassment and often violence to be heard. Since its first publication in 2004, Pig City has become a much-loved cult classic, providing an enduring soundtrack and history lesson for a new generation of fans and musicians alike. This edition includes a special Pig City playlist.”
’70s Chicagoland Rock Concerts
By Mark Plotnick & Jim Summaria
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “During the 1970s, Chicagoland venues hosted an eclectic mix of legendary rock ’n’ roll acts that thrilled audiences. Fans flocked to historic venues like the Auditorium Theater, International Amphitheatre, Arie Crown Theatre, Kinetic Playground and B’Ginnings to forge relationships and hear music that shaped their youth and endured a lifetime. Acts like Led Zeppelin, The Who, Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Wings, Genesis and so many others took the stage here during rock’s most prolific and memorable era. Jim Summaria and Mark Plotnick bring those mind-blowing performances back to life with exclusive concert photos, histories, trivia and more.”
Collaboration: Frank Ockenfels & David Bowie
By Frank Ockenfels
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “This exclusive photo book presents Frank Ockenfels’ captivating photographs from shoots with David Bowie between 1991 and 2007: An unprecedented and intimate insight into Bowie’s creative evolution. He never let any photographer get closer to him. This collection features moments that only Ockenfels could capture and is an essential collector’s item, not only for die-hard fans but also for lovers of artistic photography.”
Rush: Where’s Geddy, Alex, And Neil? Revised
By David Calcano
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The only official Rush seek-and-find book now boasts a new edition featuring 16 original, intricately illustrated album-based worlds! This edition includes two new album pages: A Show of Hands and Presto. The book celebrates the band’s incredible discography, spanning from 1974’s Rush to 1989’s Presto, all brimming with Rush references. Written by David Calcano, the writer/director behind the band’s critically acclaimed animated videos for Spirit of Radio and YYZ — both of which are now amassing millions of views — this revised edition of Rush: Where’s Geddy, Alex, and Neil? is passionately crafted by artists and die-hard Rush fans from the award-winning animation studio Fantoons. It pays homage to the awe-inspiring soundscapes of Rush’s diverse discography. Each illustration is densely packed with details and references to the spectacular saga of Rush’s music and career, offering an engaging challenge to Rush fans of any age.”
