Book Musik 038 – It Came from Memphis by Robert Gordon

Posted on January 15, 2021August 2, 2022 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley are joined by author Robert Gordon to discuss his classic book It Came from Memphis newly revised for its 25th anniversary release. Many have made the convincing case that Memphis is the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll. It is without a doubt a cultural hub on par with New York, Paris, and San Francisco and yet remains somewhat under the radar. Alex Chilton, Jim Dickinson, photographer William Eggleston and bluesman Furry Lewis are just a few of the prominent characters who make the scene in this riveting book. Gordon has a passionate attachment to his city’s history and culture and celebrates those on the edge and those creating the chaos that make life interesting.

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17

Book Musik 031 – Suicide’s Suicide (33 1/3) by Andi Coulter

Posted on October 1, 2020August 2, 2022 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss Suicide’s Suicide by Andi Coulter from the 33 1/3 series. Suicide was a band comprised of Alan Vega on vocals and Martin Rev as the sole multi-instrumentalist. Spawned from the wreckage of 1970s New York, the band never seemed to find a wide audience but those in the know who were lucky enough to have seen them perform live were the participants in a show that surely would not be forgotten. Typically described as an assault to the senses with a strong vibe of imminent violence, most people didn’t quite know what to make of them. But as so often happens with cult artists, their influence casts a wide net and continues to do so to this day.

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17

Book Musik 028 – Go All The Way: A Literary Appreciation of Power Pop by Paul Myers and S. W. Lauden

Posted on August 15, 2020August 2, 2022 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss Go All the Way: A Literary Appreciation of Power Pop by Paul Myers and S. W. Lauden. This compilation of short essays by a wide range of writers (including Michael Chabon and Allison Anders among others) explores the minutiae of what constitutes power pop exactly, whether or not it is even desirable to be lumped into this subgenre and which bands are considered power pop, with bands like Bad Finger, The Raspberries, Big Star, and Cheap Trick generally being considered the prototypes. Despite its effervescent appeal, fans of power pop are deadly serious about its nuances. Both celebrated and maligned, power pop is a nebulous genre and after reading this book things still seem murky to us. But like Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart pronounced in an attempt to define porn, we know it when we see it!

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17