Review by Choice Review
Marcus (who teaches at Univ. of California, Berkeley, and Graduate Center, CUNY) is a popular culture pundit and author of influential works, including The History of Rock 'n' Roll in Ten Songs (CH, May'15, 52-4666). Here he collects columns he published over three decades in The Village Voice, Artforum, Salon, City Pages, Interview, and The Believer. The focus is broader than "rock": each column's ten brief entries explore a range of topics, for example music in general, art, prose,'zines, film, advertisements, political observations, and overheard comments. The chronology reveals, in breadth not depth, an impressionist vision, and a detailed index (c. 4,400 entries) affords easy access to specific moments. The journey traverses alleyways as well as thoroughfares, exploring popular, obscure, esoteric, underground, and influential cultural objects that sparked Marcus's praise or dismay, including Dylan and Springsteen but also Trailer Bride and Hissyfits. Brief entries are sometimes throwaways--Los Lobos's album By the Light of the Moon is "Fine. But not superfine"--but more often insightful: "Tonight's the Night disguised as Harvest--some trick." A half-page exploration of an Absolut Vodka ad succinctly examines the invasive nature of music, technology, and subversive media delivery. This is a provocative, if not required, read for those intersted in journalism, sociology, and popular culture. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers. --Robert A. Aken, University of Kentucky
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
