Timestamps 0:00 Intro 1:32 Electric Wizards: A Tapestry of Heavy Music, 1968 to the Present by JR Moores 2:43 Brian Eno’s Another Green World by Geeta Dayal 4:28 The History of Jazz by Ted Gioia 5:45 As Serious As Your Life by Val Wilmer 6:43 Miles Davis: The Definitive Biography by Ian Carr 7:50 Miles: The Autobiography by Miles Davis and Quincy Troupe 9:13 Factory: The Story of the Record Label by Mick Middles 10:15 Touching from a Distance by Deborah Curtis 11:01 The Fall by Mark E. Smith and Mick Middles 11:22 Renegade: The Lives and Tales of Mark E. Smith by Mark E. Smith 13:11 Girl in a Band: A Memoir by Kim Gordon 14:06 Ocean of Sound: Aether Talk, Ambient Sound and Imaginary Worlds by David Toop 15:19 Perfecting Sound Forever: The Story of Recorded Music by Greg Milner 16:03 The KLF: Chaos, Magic and the Band who Burned a Million Pounds by John Higgs 17:03 David Bowie: A Life by Dylan Jones 18:33 Pigs Might Fly: The Inside Story of Pink Floyd by Mark Blake 19:15 The Complete Lyrics: 1978-2001 by Nick Cave 20:19 Listen to This by Alex Ross 21:16 Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen 22:37 Lady Sings the Blues by Billie Holiday and William Dufty 23:13 Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain by Oliver Sacks 24:02 Monolithic Undertow: In Search of Sonic Oblivion by Harry Sword 26:35 Tom Waits on Tom Waits: Interviews and Encounters by Paul Maher Jr. 27:44 Humor by Stanley Donwood 28:10 Ghosts of My Life: Writings on Depression, Hauntology and Lost Futures by Mark Fisher 29:18 Into the Never: Nine Inch Nails and the Creation of the Downward Spiral by Adam Steiner 30:31 Under the Ivy: The Life and Music of Kate Bush by Graeme Thomson 31:11 Goodbye 20th Century: A Biography of Sonic Youth by David Browne 32:20 England's Hidden Reverse, Revised and Expanded Edition: A Secret History of The Esoteric Underground by David Keenan 34:02 Cult-ure by Rian Hughes 34:09 Raw: My Journey Into the Wu-Tang by U-God 34:42 Outro
I think that “Our Band Could Be Your Life” is a must-have for everyone who’s into American indie scene. “Rip it up and start again” is a very informative book about British post-punk scene. Another recommendation is Isle of Noises which looks very interesting but I didn’t read it. As a Cardiacs fan, I would recommend to check a self-published book by Adrian Bell named Aylesbury Bolton Wolverhampton Hove: A Little Man and 101 Cardiacs Gigs. He describes his journeys to the band’s gigs and he was on 101 of them! And in November there should appear a new book on Cardiacs named “The Cardiacs: every album, every song”.
Ah, I was going to recommend "Our band..." as well - I totally agree, that's one of *the best* music related books. And perhaps ditto for "Rip it up.." Pretty much all of Simon Reynolds' books are good - has another good one on the glam rock scene as well called "shock and awe" I believe.
If you find yourself wanting more of the black flag section of "Our Band Could Be Your Life" I would recommend "Get In The Van" by Henry Rollins, which is essentially just journal entries from his time in black flag.
I totally agree. I would never discover the braveness and originality of Keith Levene as a guitarist without it. He is definitely a refreshing listening for everyone who is bored of rock cliches.
James acaster’s “Perfect Sound Whatever” is not 100% a music book, but it radiates the love of music. It revolves a lot around all sorts of obscure music and the Bandcamp scene as well as the stories of the people who make it (and those who listen to it). It’s great and I really recommend it!
David Novak's "Japanoise: Music at the Edge of Circulation" is an ethnographic survey of the japanese noise scene: it is great and, if I'm not mistaken, it's available on pdf for free
I love Johnny Marr's autobiography, Set the Boy Free. Not only do I love his account of his time in The Smiths, but it influenced me to check out the bands/projects he was involved in after The Smiths. In fact, this book was my entry point to The The's music.
Beastie Boys book is a lovely one, super informative and interesting. Sidenote - your guide to Miles Davis Spotify playlist is in constant rotation for me; the videos sure looked like a lot of work but they were so appreciated. Thank you!
**Quick apology for the length of this comment but I wanted to provide enough info to give people and idea of whether it might be worth it for them to check the following books out. Looks like I'll have to do this in two parts b/c it may actually be too long to fit in one lol. If folks have the time please read the whole comment and see if there's something here that you might be interested in, and think of this as a bit of an addendum to the video (its an excellent video and there are a number of books included here that I've not read and will have to check out myself.) Wow, as a big fan of music-related books I’m doubly excited about this video: b/c a) there are quite a few books that you’ve covered here that I’ve not only not read, but hadn’t even heard of and I’m psyched to check some of them out. And then b) I’ve got a short list of books here as well that I have that you didn’t cover on your list and that I would definitely recommend (I apologize if some of the following are books that you do actually have but perhaps just didn’t include - but if there are some you don’t have then again I’d definitely recommend you giving them a go if you can find them somewhere. I say if b/c I’m not sure if all of them are still in print - I’ve had most of them for a good while now and so I’m not 100% sure regarding current availability. Though checking on Amazon would probably be one’s best bet. Anyrate, enough rambling - to the list: **I will note that a few of these were mentioned by others’ in previous comments, including this first must have book, but I’m including it on my list b/c I want to add a tiny of additional bit of info about the book: Michael Azerrad’s “Our band could be your life: scenes from the American indie underground 1981-1991.” This is absolutely a must read if you’re at all into this music scene and really any of the bands included in the book (will list in a second). And actually even if someone isn’t familiar with any of the groups mentioned, this book is worth getting and will likely inspire that person to check out some of these groups. The bands covered (a chapter devoted to each) are: Black Flag, Minutemen, Mission of Burma, Minor Threat, Husker Du, Replacements, Sonic Youth, Butthole Surfers (an incredible chapter), Big Black, Dinosaur Jr, Fugazi, Mudhoney and Beat Happening. Even if you think you don’t like some of these groups the book is still worth checking out and may inspire to give them another chance or perhaps look into albums that you may not have heard and might actually turn out to like - but even if not the stories are compelling and interesting enough to read even if you don’t go on to check out the bands’ output.
I read "Sound of the Beast", history on Metal music. Since I'm not a hardcore fan of metal, this was an excellent read just to familiarize myself with the genre and to understand all the movements within it. I hope history of jazz does that as well. any other overview books that I should read? PS get The real frank zappa book. I just love it because of the ideas and little stories frank has written about
You should read "How Music Got Free" by Stephen Witt, it's a really interesting book about digital music piracy/file sharing and the technology and culture that lead to, surrounded, and was eventualy shaped by it - and how it eventualy lead us to the streaming dominant world of today.
NIN is gonna release a new album by the time Oliver releases a guide, lmao P.S. Also, currently reading Cosey Fanni Tutti's "Art, Sex, Music". Haven't finished, but it's a truly fascinating book that provides an insight into the mind of one of the most influential people in arts and music. Also interesting to see what life was like in Hull, England during the 70s.
Awesome - gonna watch this properly later. Moved town over the weekend and feeling homesick so this is welcome timing for your video thank you. I am currently reading the 33 1/3 book on Afghan Whigs' Gentlemen and also finished Debbie Curtis' "Touching from a Distance". I joined the library yesterday - look forward to having a gander at some of these books 🙂
Mars By 1980 is one I enjoyed recently. I also really liked Assimilate : A History of Industrial Music. I'll also add Fight Your Own War and Japanoise.
Please Kill Me Book by Gillian McCain and Legs McNeil is a amazing book about the new york punk scene featuring great anecdotes about the likes of the velvet underground and iggy pop
Love this video. You've given me several ideas for books my daughter will love. She likes drone music and bands like Current 93. Plenty for me to dive into here as well. I love Alex Ross, and I have the Gioia book (the updated edition) but haven't read it yet. A couple recommendations of my own: - Love Goes to Buildings on Fire: Five Years in New York that Changed Music Forever by Will Hermes. About NYC in the late 70s, weaves together a history of punk, no wave, hip hop, and latin music. - Trouble Boys by Bob Mehr, a bio about the Replacements. Heartbreaking and so well-written. 33 1/3 books about Black Sabbath (John Darnielle), Sly and the Family Stone There's a Riot Goin' On, and Carl Wilson's exploration of Celine Dion, music criticism and taste. The last one was life-changing.
England's Dreaming by Jon Savage is a must for understanding post-war culture, Music: An Introduction by Nicholas Cook is a great deconstruction of music criticism and the notion of "genius" and "canon" & Ellen Willis' essays are insightful meditations on pop written with grace
'Rock and the Pop Narcotic' - my all-time favourite book about music. Reading 'The Rest is Noise' currently (slow going because of need to take music many long immersive music breaks to check out the subject music). Some of the 33 1/3 books are absolutely fantastic (eg. Pink Flag, Double Nickles on the Dime), others were so bad I wanted to take back to the bookstore and demand a refund (the 'Let It Be' book by Colin Meloy).
The 33 1/3 books are spotty in quality. Hated the one about Suicide and Radiohead/OK Computer but loved the books about Television/Marquee Moon, Sly and the Family Stone/There's a Riot Going On. Special shout out to the one about Black Sabbath written by John Darnielle. It's a novella but is hilarious and also tragic. Reminded me in places of Confederacy of Dunces. Also a huge shout out to what Let's Talk About Love: A Journey to the End of Taste by Carl Wilson. It's "about" Celine Dion but really it's about cultural values and how we exclude and include and marginalize and elevate works of art. It was a life changing book.
Someone who cares about music writing should start up a site with reviews of all the 33 1/3 books. I would never have thought a book about Celine Dion would be worth reading, and here I am putting it on my 'to read' list along with the Black Sabbath...
Head On/ Repossessed. Julian Cope pre and with Teardrop Explodes, followed by after they split. Released seperatley but then together as a package. Think they are hard to get but fascinating insight by Julian into his drug taking and the affect they had on his work and everyday life. And it's very funny as well.
Some of my favorites: Love Goes to Buildings on Fire - Will Hermes Love Is a Mixtape - Rob Sheffield Do Not Sell At Any Price - Amanda Petrusich Can't Stop, Won't Stop - Jeff Chang Energy Flash - Simon Reynolds Meet Me In the Bathroom - Lizzy Goodman How Music Got Free - Stephen Witt Looking the Other Way 4AD - Martin Aston Girls To the Front - Sara Marcus Our Band Could Be Your Life - Michael Azerrad
Oliver, you HAVE to read Brian Eno's a Year with swollen appendices. A really interesting dip into Eno's mind and the way it works. It's also littered with books, art, music and movies he was into during the year the diary was written, it ends up being this endless rabbit hole.
Frank Zappa's autobiography is pretty fun even though it's missing out on some me details I'd like to know about. A good example is the single sentence about Wildman Fisher. Also recently picked up Lou Reed's complete lyrics which is a joy to go through at random. Love reading the later lyrics the most though.
Girl in a band is my favourite autobiography full stop! Kim Gordon has such a great way with words and the first time I read it made me appreciate Sonic Youth even more somehow!
Getting into the Fall definitely had me weary when I first started due to the sheer volume of releases, had a friend who loved them and would always try to get me on it. In my experience with it, finding an album I liked straight out instead of starting at the beginning (as the early releases can be a bit harrowing for a new listener) was the most helpful. Got into Bend Sinister and I am Kurious Oranj heavily first and then moved in all directions to find what else I liked. One of my favorite groups of all time at this point.
Just a quick note: They are republishing England’s Hidden Reverse through Strange Attractor with updates. I think it’s 30 usd for preorder. It’s coming out next April
Simon Reynolds’ (Reynolds is an excellent music writer/journalist and just about all of his stuff is at least good, if not a must read) “Rip it up and start again.” This is a pretty comprehensive and very readable over-view of the post-punk and maybe early 80’s alternative music scenes. Broken down by the different subgenres of post-punk and/or the geographical locations of some of the internal movements in the genre. Its another must read if you’re into post-punk. **Additionally there is “Totally Wired: post-punk interviews and overviews” which overlaps with Rip it up a tiny bit but also includes a ton of additional content. Then there is also Reyonds’ book, “Shock and Awe: glam rock and its legacy.” Another of his excellent books - this one is a very expansive overview of the genre that while including the big names you’d associate with the genre like Bowie, T. Rex and Roxy, but also includes the likes of Alice Cooper, Cockney Rebel, Sparks, Mott the hoople, Slade, New York Dolls, Wayne County, Be-bop Deluxe, Queen, Alex Harvey band, The Tubes, Doctors of Madness, Utravox and even The Rocky Horror Picture Show. (and there’s actually more, but that’s enough to get across the point I believe). Another book that someone else mentioned is Legs McNeil’s book “Please kill me” about the American sort of proto-punk to punk scenes (from the Velvets to Iggy and the New York Dolls and pretty much every other American group of the early to mid 70’s that you’d expect to find. The book is compiled primarily from interviews with the artists and thus gives a real inside look into the groups and the scene as a whole. This is something of a legendary book regarding this music scene and is one that you’ll find on tons of “recommended” lists - and its absolutely warranted. Another book that covers a similar area but is not quite as well known (I think at least) is Clinto Heylin’s “From the Velvets to the Voidoids.” I haven’t read it in a while now and so beyond attesting to the quality of the book I can’t give much additional info about it. Then there are two books by George Gimarc that are sort of companions. The first being “Punk Diary” and the second being “Post-punk diary.” These two books are genuinely unique approaches to covering the two genres mentioned in the titles. They are compiled from bits of commentary of his own and then most prominently snippets and entire pieces culled from 3 or 4 of the most prominent music publications in the UK from that time period (Sounds, NME and a few others) and the author uses these clippings of a sort (and also includes tons of pictures and other bits and bobs) to trace both the evolution of these two genres and of the bands that populate them. As you read/skim through the books you get to see the first murmurings of bands that would in several years or more down the road become prominent groups (for instance regarding the Talking Heads it starts with mentions of them meeting at the Rhode Island college where several of them first met, and then as the Artistics and so on - building up to when they first began to play live as the fledgling Talking Heads. And he does this for just about every band you can think of off the top of your head. At the back of each book is an alphabetical index of the bands covered and page numbers for each entry that relates to that band (many of the entries are notices/reviews of individual releases by the bands and so you can trace the evolution of the groups through the singles/albums as they are released. Another feature I almost forgot is that he also includes short day by day listings of the different concerts that took place that specific day - with each entry listing the city and venue of the show and then the main bands performing. This is actually quite a treat b/c you get to see some of the absolutely crazy as well as mouth-watering lineups of literally hundreds of shows - where bands that you’d never picture on the same bill are playing together. It’s really fascinating. Now these books are not traditional reads. They are probably best skimmed through or delved into using the index in the back to trace the story of perhaps individual bands that you really like. I mean, I’ve owned them for a long time and so I’ve read them both cover to cover by this point, but unless you’re *really* into music minutia trivia/data bits etc I think going at these by band or broadly skimming through them is the best way to begin working your way through them. So you can imagine these books won’t be for everyone, but if any of this sounds enticing or interesting to you (to whom it may concern hehe) then I recommend picking both of these up and just getting lost in them for a bit. I *think* they are both still available on Amazon - though its possible you might have to go through the Amazon marketplace and pick up used copies as I’m not 100% sure that they are still in print today (the punk one dates from 1994 and the post punk from 1997 and I picked up the two of them shortly after the second book came out, and so again you’d have to check and see if you can get them new on Amazon or if you’ll have to go the used route - either way they are absolutely worth it if you’re into this sort of thing. I’m going to quickly mention three more books here and just give the author/title and maybe a sentence about each, but these are no less important/interesting than the others - its just this comment has gone on long enough lol. Greil Marcus’ book “Lipstick traces on a cigarette.” This one is not 100% music focused but the first half is pretty heavily music oriented and it creeps back in to the book throughout the rest here and there. This book really defies explanation - which is frustrating b/c it really is a book that needs to be experienced and yet its really hard to define why. Its where I first came across the term/movement Dada and things like the original Cabaret Voltaire (in Switzerland during the first world war) and its just a fascinating read - though not the easiest read I’ll caution. If you’re familiar with Greil Marcus’ writing style this will make sense (he’s actually a seminal music journalist and his other books and writings are worth getting into as well if you get the chance). I’m not going to try and explain any more - just check this book out if you’re able to find it and be prepared to devote a good bit of time (through very much worth it) getting lost in the world he details and covers from a very “outside the box” perspective. Then there is Nick Tosches’ book “Country: the twisted roots of rock and roll.” Nick Tosches is another sort of legendary music/culture writer/journalist and his oeuvre is worth diving into on a broader scale as well. Incidentally, he wrote another book - a very short quick read but that is really interesting - called “The last opium den” where around the year 2000 (when the book came out) he quite literally travels around the world in search of an “authentic” opium den - as you (and he particularly) might imagine it through accounts and such from 18th-19th centuries. Its another engrossing read and is a small book (both physically and in terms of pages: 74) and so is easy to get through, but its quite interesting as well. Ok, I think that’s more than enough. I apologize for the length of this comment but I wanted to try and do them justice and provide enough info to let someone reading this have an idea if one of the books covers areas of their interest and is thus worth picking up. And again, I’m excited to check out some of the books you’ve covered in this video as well - keep up the great work man and its nice to see new stuff from you (I completely understand why you can only do so much on here b/c of your other work commitments etc, and so its just a treat whenever you are able to add something, thanks.)
Such interesting books! An idea for a future video. a Guide to World's End Girlfriend. And if you didn't listen to his music yet, what are you doing, go, check it out! ;)
Great video, cheers! Regarding The Fall: by far the best Fall book I've read is The Big Midweek by Steve Hanley. While not exactly high literature, it's a fascinating story. I think Marc Riley agrees with me on that. Mick Middles's book is pretty poorly written and, as you say, Renegade is... quite entertaining but perhaps not that reliable. I'd also recommend Playing the Bass with Three Left Hands. A really funny and well written account of being in Spacemen 3.
The John Higgs book (Yellow with pink writing next to David Bowie), "The KLF, Chaos, Magic, and the Band That Burned A Million Pounds" draws the Ley Lines from the druids, the Church of Discord, Alan Moore, and the Illuminati to the punks at Eric's in 1978 Liverpool, Ambient music in the late 80s/ early 90s, and the Outer Hebrides where the titular million pounds was torched for the sake of art (or the artists' mental states at the time). If you like "Lipstick Traces," you'll get it. It's a globetrotter. "On Some Faraway Beach, the Life and Times of Brian Eno" is like reading a cookbook of modern pop music. Not only do you get the monsters of late 20th Century (Roxy, Fripp, Bowie, Talking Heads, U2) but you get an inside look at artists like Jon Hassel, Connie Plank, Cluster, etc. (not to mention his genius brother, Roger). I've gotten so much good music out of this book. Oh, and anything by Julian Cope. Total dickhead. Total geezer. Totally awesome.
I def recommend "Doomed to Fail" by J.J. Anselmi which talks about the evolution of doom, sludge and post-metal. It's a really fun read since it was written by a fan of these three genres.
That Val Wilmer book is excellent. If you find yourself enjoying it, I would also recommend Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones)'s "Black Music". It's a collection of his essays on the Free Jazz movement and it feels like a great addendum to the Wilmer.
Hey Oli, I definitely recommend Toop's other books as well. Haunted Weather in particular clearly shows his progression as a journalist and musician from 'Ocean of Sound' whilst still being written in that same incrediblie manner. Both of them are my favourite music books for sure; I've got Flutter Echo waiting on the shelf too so we'll see
Mark Fisher is legend - what a guy. That book and Capitalist Realism are amazing. Also love Ocean of Sound, David Toop is like an encyclopedia on ambient music and clearly he’s so passionate about it
Deep Cuts, for your future guide on Kate Bush, I have in my hand "THe ULtimate Music Guide Kate Bush, WOW! New Collectors Edition. It's a magazine format of about 100 pages with photos. Easy and quick to breeze through. If you could get hold of it, it would help.
Renegade - was a riot of a read. Mark E Smith has a razor sharp wit. He hits targets when discussing what a shit show 21st Century British popular Culture has become. If you live in Brighton, supported New Labour or support Manchester United you might want to avoid reading it.
There's tons of videos and articles like "The Top 10 Guitarists of All Time" and "The Top 100 Greatest Rock Bands of all Time", but I have never seen anyone ranking the top multiinstrumentalists of all time. That is something I would like to see. Great vid.
If you lust after 80s/90s indie band stories, Dean Wareham's book Black Postcards is a must. Being a fan of his music is not necessary (i'm not), to thoroughly enjoy his romantic description of NYC and the music scene at that time.
You think we could maybe get a "5 Albums" on Blackgaze? It's become an obsession of mine recently and ide love to hear your opinion, hope you are well my friend!
Thanks for this, ordered a few from the library, especially excited for Electric Wizards. The best book about music I've ever read is Energy Flash by Simon Reynolds, which VERY cleverly traces the rise of rave music - and just exactly why it is people love electronic music so much - in the 80s, 90s and beyond, so if that's your bag, get into it - it's also an incredible, shocking pink colour, to complement all your yellow books.
Hi Oliver I’d be curious to hear your thought on “djent” bands such as meshuggah. Know it’s not really a genre per se but there’s some interesting stuff there
Hey, I have just watched your guide to king crimson and Radiohead videos and think it would be great if you made a guide to Tame Impala. If you haven’t listen to impala I highly recommend it. Wish you the best.
This is obvious, but I'm gonna say The Beatles: All These Years by Mark Lewisohn is pretty much THE definitive Beatles biography. Even though we're still waiting for volumes 2 and 3 to finish...
A couple of my favourite music books: Meet Me In The Bathroom - Elizabeth Goodman A story of the NY indie scene in the early 2000's told by those involved and those directly influenced by it, going into the British indie scene later on that decade. David Bowie Made Me Gay - Darryl W Bullock A history of LGBTQ+ music from the early 20th century to contemporary times. Perfect Sound Whatever - James Acaster A love story about music and how it saves us from our darkest hours. It'll make you want to change the way you chronicle the music you listen to.
Simon Reynolds 'Rip it up' and 'Retromania' Ian Macdonald's "Revolution in the Head - The Beatles' Records and the Sixties". Jim Cauty and Bill Drummond (of KLF) 'The Manual (How to Have a Number One the Easy Way)' Lisa Darms 'Riot Grrrl Collection'. The one I've not read but my whole life almost have been meaning to get around to is Julian Cope's 'Head On', which I hear is pretty good. Thanks for the recommendations. Good to see you back. Cheers.
Hey, I was wondering if you like Elaine Radigue? I was assigned her for a electronic music class, and I’ve absolutely fallen in love with her. Her music is incredible, but her story, her personality, her ability to speak… only ever been rivaled by Carla bley for me
Great video. Lots to check out. My favourite book on music that I've read is probably Alex Ross's The Rest Is Noise. That book really opened up 20th century classical music for me. It also resulted in a greater appreciation of some rock artists who, wittingly or unwittingly, applied forms of modern classical experimentation to their own work (Brian Wilson, Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart, Brian Eno...).
Love that you haven't left this channel behind, you're a legend man. Started watching you in high school and now a few years later I live on my own. Need more constants in my life. Bless.
Timestamps
0:00 Intro
1:32 Electric Wizards: A Tapestry of Heavy Music, 1968 to the Present by JR Moores
2:43 Brian Eno’s Another Green World by Geeta Dayal
4:28 The History of Jazz by Ted Gioia
5:45 As Serious As Your Life by Val Wilmer
6:43 Miles Davis: The Definitive Biography by Ian Carr
7:50 Miles: The Autobiography by Miles Davis and Quincy Troupe
9:13 Factory: The Story of the Record Label by Mick Middles
10:15 Touching from a Distance by Deborah Curtis
11:01 The Fall by Mark E. Smith and Mick Middles
11:22 Renegade: The Lives and Tales of Mark E. Smith by Mark E. Smith
13:11 Girl in a Band: A Memoir by Kim Gordon
14:06 Ocean of Sound: Aether Talk, Ambient Sound and Imaginary Worlds by David Toop
15:19 Perfecting Sound Forever: The Story of Recorded Music by Greg Milner
16:03 The KLF: Chaos, Magic and the Band who Burned a Million Pounds by John Higgs
17:03 David Bowie: A Life by Dylan Jones
18:33 Pigs Might Fly: The Inside Story of Pink Floyd by Mark Blake
19:15 The Complete Lyrics: 1978-2001 by Nick Cave
20:19 Listen to This by Alex Ross
21:16 Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen
22:37 Lady Sings the Blues by Billie Holiday and William Dufty
23:13 Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain by Oliver Sacks
24:02 Monolithic Undertow: In Search of Sonic Oblivion by Harry Sword
26:35 Tom Waits on Tom Waits: Interviews and Encounters by Paul Maher Jr.
27:44 Humor by Stanley Donwood
28:10 Ghosts of My Life: Writings on Depression, Hauntology and Lost Futures by Mark Fisher
29:18 Into the Never: Nine Inch Nails and the Creation of the Downward Spiral by Adam Steiner
30:31 Under the Ivy: The Life and Music of Kate Bush by Graeme Thomson
31:11 Goodbye 20th Century: A Biography of Sonic Youth by David Browne
32:20 England's Hidden Reverse, Revised and Expanded Edition: A Secret History of The Esoteric Underground by David Keenan
34:02 Cult-ure by Rian Hughes
34:09 Raw: My Journey Into the Wu-Tang by U-God
34:42 Outro
Thanks!
Thanks mate you the real MVP
I think that “Our Band Could Be Your Life” is a must-have for everyone who’s into American indie scene. “Rip it up and start again” is a very informative book about British post-punk scene.
Another recommendation is Isle of Noises which looks very interesting but I didn’t read it.
As a Cardiacs fan, I would recommend to check a self-published book by Adrian Bell named Aylesbury Bolton Wolverhampton Hove: A Little Man and 101 Cardiacs Gigs. He describes his journeys to the band’s gigs and he was on 101 of them! And in November there should appear a new book on Cardiacs named “The Cardiacs: every album, every song”.
Ah, I was going to recommend "Our band..." as well - I totally agree, that's one of *the best* music related books. And perhaps ditto for "Rip it up.." Pretty much all of Simon Reynolds' books are good - has another good one on the glam rock scene as well called "shock and awe" I believe.
If you find yourself wanting more of the black flag section of "Our Band Could Be Your Life" I would recommend "Get In The Van" by Henry Rollins, which is essentially just journal entries from his time in black flag.
@@marcguidobolen693 cool - thank you, I will definitely check it out.
I really want this Cardiacs book! In my channel I added Rip It Up to my list, great book!
Our Band Could Be Your Life is a great read. Nice suggestion.
Any pain encountered while making the Miles Davis vid was well worth it. I think that's the best vid you've made yet
Genuinely means a lot to read that Zach, thank you!
Me watching this when I should actually be reading Aristotle's Politics for University...
As a poly sci major i feel you man
Rip it Up and Start Again by Simon Reynolds is an excellent one for post-punk: when rock became truly innovative
If interested, get the UK version instead of the US version- the US version is missing lots of content including entire chapters/sub-genres
I totally agree. I would never discover the braveness and originality of Keith Levene as a guitarist without it. He is definitely a refreshing listening for everyone who is bored of rock cliches.
@@enri_mucca Thanks for sharing! 👍
@@user-wl2xl5hm7k You are welcome ;)
YES - great book - really interesting overview of so many bands
I’m a big fan of Alex Ross’ writing - he really makes more abstruse classical stuff approachable without dumbing it down at all
Ditto - The Rest Is Noise is a masterpiece
"I'm 30 next year"
Bruh what, you look 22.
12 in the correct lighting and facial hair situation.
2 in the stars align
he really doesnt
James acaster’s “Perfect Sound Whatever” is not 100% a music book, but it radiates the love of music. It revolves a lot around all sorts of obscure music and the Bandcamp scene as well as the stories of the people who make it (and those who listen to it).
It’s great and I really recommend it!
David Novak's "Japanoise: Music at the Edge of Circulation" is an ethnographic survey of the japanese noise scene: it is great and, if I'm not mistaken, it's available on pdf for free
I love Johnny Marr's autobiography, Set the Boy Free. Not only do I love his account of his time in The Smiths, but it influenced me to check out the bands/projects he was involved in after The Smiths. In fact, this book was my entry point to The The's music.
It's definitely better than Moz's. I can't believe a wasted a chunk of my life reading that.
@@cameronhill7769 what’s worse is that I bought it. I’ve read it once and not even gonna bother reading it again..
Beastie Boys book is a lovely one, super informative and interesting.
Sidenote - your guide to Miles Davis Spotify playlist is in constant rotation for me; the videos sure looked like a lot of work but they were so appreciated. Thank you!
Glad to hear you’re still using the playlist, makes it worthwhile making them!
WAKE UP BABE DEEP CUTS IS BAAAACKK😭😭❤❤
**Quick apology for the length of this comment but I wanted to provide enough info to give people and idea of whether it might be worth it for them to check the following books out. Looks like I'll have to do this in two parts b/c it may actually be too long to fit in one lol. If folks have the time please read the whole comment and see if there's something here that you might be interested in, and think of this as a bit of an addendum to the video (its an excellent video and there are a number of books included here that I've not read and will have to check out myself.)
Wow, as a big fan of music-related books I’m doubly excited about this video: b/c a) there are quite a few books that you’ve covered here that I’ve not only not read, but hadn’t even heard of and I’m psyched to check some of them out. And then b) I’ve got a short list of books here as well that I have that you didn’t cover on your list and that I would definitely recommend (I apologize if some of the following are books that you do actually have but perhaps just didn’t include - but if there are some you don’t have then again I’d definitely recommend you giving them a go if you can find them somewhere. I say if b/c I’m not sure if all of them are still in print - I’ve had most of them for a good while now and so I’m not 100% sure regarding current availability. Though checking on Amazon would probably be one’s best bet. Anyrate, enough rambling - to the list:
**I will note that a few of these were mentioned by others’ in previous comments, including this first must have book, but I’m including it on my list b/c I want to add a tiny of additional bit of info about the book:
Michael Azerrad’s “Our band could be your life: scenes from the American indie underground 1981-1991.” This is absolutely a must read if you’re at all into this music scene and really any of the bands included in the book (will list in a second). And actually even if someone isn’t familiar with any of the groups mentioned, this book is worth getting and will likely inspire that person to check out some of these groups. The bands covered (a chapter devoted to each) are: Black Flag, Minutemen, Mission of Burma, Minor Threat, Husker Du, Replacements, Sonic Youth, Butthole Surfers (an incredible chapter), Big Black, Dinosaur Jr, Fugazi, Mudhoney and Beat Happening. Even if you think you don’t like some of these groups the book is still worth checking out and may inspire to give them another chance or perhaps look into albums that you may not have heard and might actually turn out to like - but even if not the stories are compelling and interesting enough to read even if you don’t go on to check out the bands’ output.
I feel like a piece of shit when I don't finish a book I buy
“Trouble Boys” is a must read for a Replacements fan. Pretty exhaustive yet very readable and moving.
One of the best biographies I've ever read. In many ways, a heartbreaking story. Nice suggestion.
I read "Sound of the Beast", history on Metal music. Since I'm not a hardcore fan of metal, this was an excellent read just to familiarize myself with the genre and to understand all the movements within it. I hope history of jazz does that as well.
any other overview books that I should read?
PS get The real frank zappa book. I just love it because of the ideas and little stories frank has written about
You should read "How Music Got Free" by Stephen Witt, it's a really interesting book about digital music piracy/file sharing and the technology and culture that lead to, surrounded, and was eventualy shaped by it - and how it eventualy lead us to the streaming dominant world of today.
Yes! The way he presented the information across the different stories was brilliant too.
NIN is gonna release a new album by the time Oliver releases a guide, lmao
P.S. Also, currently reading Cosey Fanni Tutti's "Art, Sex, Music". Haven't finished, but it's a truly fascinating book that provides an insight into the mind of one of the most influential people in arts and music. Also interesting to see what life was like in Hull, England during the 70s.
bruh nobody's mentioned Krautrocksampler by Julian Cope? tf yo
Love "England's Dreaming" by Jon Savage. Really feels like being there and following the band and the cultural shift of punk.
That book was/is fantastic. I gave my copy away. I hope I've received some good karma as a result because I really miss it.
I enjoyed the book on Swans' history - Sacrifice and Transcendence.
I second this, great read!
have you seen the documentary, Where Does a Body End? I imagine there's quite a bit of overlap but the doc is great
@@Sn0wLeppard Shure there is but the book goes deeper as books often do compared to films.
@@Sn0wLeppard yep, the film is great. I actually am in it towards the end in some footage from a gig in London!
fried bread
so today i didn't have class, arca collaborated with sia, mitski is gonna release new music and oliver has uploaded, unbelievable
Why don't you have The Life and Times of Little Richard?
Awesome - gonna watch this properly later. Moved town over the weekend and feeling homesick so this is welcome timing for your video thank you. I am currently reading the 33 1/3 book on Afghan Whigs' Gentlemen and also finished Debbie Curtis' "Touching from a Distance". I joined the library yesterday - look forward to having a gander at some of these books 🙂
Mars By 1980 is one I enjoyed recently. I also really liked Assimilate : A History of Industrial Music.
I'll also add Fight Your Own War and Japanoise.
I've been wanting to read Assimilate for a while now!
Coal Back Mornings and Afternoons With The Blinds Drawn are two of my favourite ever music autobiography
Please Kill Me
Book by Gillian McCain and Legs McNeil is a amazing book about the new york punk scene featuring great anecdotes about the likes of the velvet underground and iggy pop
babe wake new deep cuts upload
As a Beach Boys fan, I love reading pretty much everything regarding Brain and the band.
I love neuroscience too
Yeah, pretty much, although I'm really all about his music making as opposed to the external drama that he had to contend with.
I think Gioia is pronounced "Joy-uh". I'm basing this off of how Kenny Gioia (Reaper DAW guru) pronounces his name.
In Italian Gioia means joy. We pronounce it Jo-ya.
Love this video. You've given me several ideas for books my daughter will love. She likes drone music and bands like Current 93. Plenty for me to dive into here as well. I love Alex Ross, and I have the Gioia book (the updated edition) but haven't read it yet. A couple recommendations of my own:
- Love Goes to Buildings on Fire: Five Years in New York that Changed Music Forever by Will Hermes. About NYC in the late 70s, weaves together a history of punk, no wave, hip hop, and latin music.
- Trouble Boys by Bob Mehr, a bio about the Replacements. Heartbreaking and so well-written.
33 1/3 books about Black Sabbath (John Darnielle), Sly and the Family Stone There's a Riot Goin' On, and Carl Wilson's exploration of Celine Dion, music criticism and taste. The last one was life-changing.
England's Dreaming by Jon Savage is a must for understanding post-war culture, Music: An Introduction by Nicholas Cook is a great deconstruction of music criticism and the notion of "genius" and "canon" & Ellen Willis' essays are insightful meditations on pop written with grace
'Rock and the Pop Narcotic' - my all-time favourite book about music. Reading 'The Rest is Noise' currently (slow going because of need to take music many long immersive music breaks to check out the subject music). Some of the 33 1/3 books are absolutely fantastic (eg. Pink Flag, Double Nickles on the Dime), others were so bad I wanted to take back to the bookstore and demand a refund (the 'Let It Be' book by Colin Meloy).
The 33 1/3 books are spotty in quality. Hated the one about Suicide and Radiohead/OK Computer but loved the books about Television/Marquee Moon, Sly and the Family Stone/There's a Riot Going On. Special shout out to the one about Black Sabbath written by John Darnielle. It's a novella but is hilarious and also tragic. Reminded me in places of Confederacy of Dunces. Also a huge shout out to what Let's Talk About Love: A Journey to the End of Taste by Carl Wilson. It's "about" Celine Dion but really it's about cultural values and how we exclude and include and marginalize and elevate works of art. It was a life changing book.
Someone who cares about music writing should start up a site with reviews of all the 33 1/3 books. I would never have thought a book about Celine Dion would be worth reading, and here I am putting it on my 'to read' list along with the Black Sabbath...
Head On/ Repossessed. Julian Cope pre and with Teardrop Explodes, followed by after they split. Released seperatley but then together as a package. Think they are hard to get but fascinating insight by Julian into his drug taking and the affect they had on his work and everyday life. And it's very funny as well.
Yes those are utterly fantastic.
Some of my favorites:
Love Goes to Buildings on Fire - Will Hermes
Love Is a Mixtape - Rob Sheffield
Do Not Sell At Any Price - Amanda Petrusich
Can't Stop, Won't Stop - Jeff Chang
Energy Flash - Simon Reynolds
Meet Me In the Bathroom - Lizzy Goodman
How Music Got Free - Stephen Witt
Looking the Other Way 4AD - Martin Aston
Girls To the Front - Sara Marcus
Our Band Could Be Your Life - Michael Azerrad
Oliver, you HAVE to read Brian Eno's a Year with swollen appendices. A really interesting dip into Eno's mind and the way it works. It's also littered with books, art, music and movies he was into during the year the diary was written, it ends up being this endless rabbit hole.
Wow I just commented on a video of yours asking for this 🤣 im sure many asked (myself included many times) THANKS
Your wish is granted!
Frank Zappa's autobiography is pretty fun even though it's missing out on some me details I'd like to know about. A good example is the single sentence about Wildman Fisher. Also recently picked up Lou Reed's complete lyrics which is a joy to go through at random. Love reading the later lyrics the most though.
Girl in a band is my favourite autobiography full stop! Kim Gordon has such a great way with words and the first time I read it made me appreciate Sonic Youth even more somehow!
Hug
Getting into the Fall definitely had me weary when I first started due to the sheer volume of releases, had a friend who loved them and would always try to get me on it. In my experience with it, finding an album I liked straight out instead of starting at the beginning (as the early releases can be a bit harrowing for a new listener) was the most helpful. Got into Bend Sinister and I am Kurious Oranj heavily first and then moved in all directions to find what else I liked. One of my favorite groups of all time at this point.
Just a quick note: They are republishing England’s Hidden Reverse through Strange Attractor with updates. I think it’s 30 usd for preorder. It’s coming out next April
England's Hidden Reverse is fantastic and opened up a world of underground music I didn't know about.
Amazing!
Yes, I’ve already preordered my copy. Can’t wait.
Finally!
5:50 show the bookshelves !!!!
Simon Reynolds’ (Reynolds is an excellent music writer/journalist and just about all of his stuff is at least good, if not a must read) “Rip it up and start again.” This is a pretty comprehensive and very readable over-view of the post-punk and maybe early 80’s alternative music scenes. Broken down by the different subgenres of post-punk and/or the geographical locations of some of the internal movements in the genre. Its another must read if you’re into post-punk. **Additionally there is “Totally Wired: post-punk interviews and overviews” which overlaps with Rip it up a tiny bit but also includes a ton of additional content.
Then there is also Reyonds’ book, “Shock and Awe: glam rock and its legacy.” Another of his excellent books - this one is a very expansive overview of the genre that while including the big names you’d associate with the genre like Bowie, T. Rex and Roxy, but also includes the likes of Alice Cooper, Cockney Rebel, Sparks, Mott the hoople, Slade, New York Dolls, Wayne County, Be-bop Deluxe, Queen, Alex Harvey band, The Tubes, Doctors of Madness, Utravox and even The Rocky Horror Picture Show. (and there’s actually more, but that’s enough to get across the point I believe).
Another book that someone else mentioned is Legs McNeil’s book “Please kill me” about the American sort of proto-punk to punk scenes (from the Velvets to Iggy and the New York Dolls and pretty much every other American group of the early to mid 70’s that you’d expect to find. The book is compiled primarily from interviews with the artists and thus gives a real inside look into the groups and the scene as a whole. This is something of a legendary book regarding this music scene and is one that you’ll find on tons of “recommended” lists - and its absolutely warranted.
Another book that covers a similar area but is not quite as well known (I think at least) is Clinto Heylin’s “From the Velvets to the Voidoids.” I haven’t read it in a while now and so beyond attesting to the quality of the book I can’t give much additional info about it.
Then there are two books by George Gimarc that are sort of companions. The first being “Punk Diary” and the second being “Post-punk diary.” These two books are genuinely unique approaches to covering the two genres mentioned in the titles. They are compiled from bits of commentary of his own and then most prominently snippets and entire pieces culled from 3 or 4 of the most prominent music publications in the UK from that time period (Sounds, NME and a few others) and the author uses these clippings of a sort (and also includes tons of pictures and other bits and bobs) to trace both the evolution of these two genres and of the bands that populate them. As you read/skim through the books you get to see the first murmurings of bands that would in several years or more down the road become prominent groups (for instance regarding the Talking Heads it starts with mentions of them meeting at the Rhode Island college where several of them first met, and then as the Artistics and so on - building up to when they first began to play live as the fledgling Talking Heads. And he does this for just about every band you can think of off the top of your head. At the back of each book is an alphabetical index of the bands covered and page numbers for each entry that relates to that band (many of the entries are notices/reviews of individual releases by the bands and so you can trace the evolution of the groups through the singles/albums as they are released. Another feature I almost forgot is that he also includes short day by day listings of the different concerts that took place that specific day - with each entry listing the city and venue of the show and then the main bands performing. This is actually quite a treat b/c you get to see some of the absolutely crazy as well as mouth-watering lineups of literally hundreds of shows - where bands that you’d never picture on the same bill are playing together. It’s really fascinating. Now these books are not traditional reads. They are probably best skimmed through or delved into using the index in the back to trace the story of perhaps individual bands that you really like. I mean, I’ve owned them for a long time and so I’ve read them both cover to cover by this point, but unless you’re *really* into music minutia trivia/data bits etc I think going at these by band or broadly skimming through them is the best way to begin working your way through them. So you can imagine these books won’t be for everyone, but if any of this sounds enticing or interesting to you (to whom it may concern hehe) then I recommend picking both of these up and just getting lost in them for a bit. I *think* they are both still available on Amazon - though its possible you might have to go through the Amazon marketplace and pick up used copies as I’m not 100% sure that they are still in print today (the punk one dates from 1994 and the post punk from 1997 and I picked up the two of them shortly after the second book came out, and so again you’d have to check and see if you can get them new on Amazon or if you’ll have to go the used route - either way they are absolutely worth it if you’re into this sort of thing.
I’m going to quickly mention three more books here and just give the author/title and maybe a sentence about each, but these are no less important/interesting than the others - its just this comment has gone on long enough lol.
Greil Marcus’ book “Lipstick traces on a cigarette.” This one is not 100% music focused but the first half is pretty heavily music oriented and it creeps back in to the book throughout the rest here and there. This book really defies explanation - which is frustrating b/c it really is a book that needs to be experienced and yet its really hard to define why. Its where I first came across the term/movement Dada and things like the original Cabaret Voltaire (in Switzerland during the first world war) and its just a fascinating read - though not the easiest read I’ll caution. If you’re familiar with Greil Marcus’ writing style this will make sense (he’s actually a seminal music journalist and his other books and writings are worth getting into as well if you get the chance). I’m not going to try and explain any more - just check this book out if you’re able to find it and be prepared to devote a good bit of time (through very much worth it) getting lost in the world he details and covers from a very “outside the box” perspective.
Then there is Nick Tosches’ book “Country: the twisted roots of rock and roll.” Nick Tosches is another sort of legendary music/culture writer/journalist and his oeuvre is worth diving into on a broader scale as well. Incidentally, he wrote another book - a very short quick read but that is really interesting - called “The last opium den” where around the year 2000 (when the book came out) he quite literally travels around the world in search of an “authentic” opium den - as you (and he particularly) might imagine it through accounts and such from 18th-19th centuries. Its another engrossing read and is a small book (both physically and in terms of pages: 74) and so is easy to get through, but its quite interesting as well.
Ok, I think that’s more than enough. I apologize for the length of this comment but I wanted to try and do them justice and provide enough info to let someone reading this have an idea if one of the books covers areas of their interest and is thus worth picking up. And again, I’m excited to check out some of the books you’ve covered in this video as well - keep up the great work man and its nice to see new stuff from you (I completely understand why you can only do so much on here b/c of your other work commitments etc, and so its just a treat whenever you are able to add something, thanks.)
Such interesting books!
An idea for a future video. a Guide to World's End Girlfriend. And if you didn't listen to his music yet, what are you doing, go, check it out! ;)
Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to A Tribe Called Quest by Hanif Abdurraqib - absolutely loved this book and the deep dive back into their discography.
Great video, cheers! Regarding The Fall: by far the best Fall book I've read is The Big Midweek by Steve Hanley. While not exactly high literature, it's a fascinating story. I think Marc Riley agrees with me on that. Mick Middles's book is pretty poorly written and, as you say, Renegade is... quite entertaining but perhaps not that reliable. I'd also recommend Playing the Bass with Three Left Hands. A really funny and well written account of being in Spacemen 3.
S Hanley’s book is my favourite
1. Tape Delay: Confessions from the Eighties Underground.
2. Facing the other way, 4AD.
The John Higgs book (Yellow with pink writing next to David Bowie), "The KLF, Chaos, Magic, and the Band That Burned A Million Pounds" draws the Ley Lines from the druids, the Church of Discord, Alan Moore, and the Illuminati to the punks at Eric's in 1978 Liverpool, Ambient music in the late 80s/ early 90s, and the Outer Hebrides where the titular million pounds was torched for the sake of art (or the artists' mental states at the time). If you like "Lipstick Traces," you'll get it. It's a globetrotter.
"On Some Faraway Beach, the Life and Times of Brian Eno" is like reading a cookbook of modern pop music. Not only do you get the monsters of late 20th Century (Roxy, Fripp, Bowie, Talking Heads, U2) but you get an inside look at artists like Jon Hassel, Connie Plank, Cluster, etc. (not to mention his genius brother, Roger). I've gotten so much good music out of this book.
Oh, and anything by Julian Cope. Total dickhead. Total geezer. Totally awesome.
This Is Your Brain on Music by Daniel J. Levitin is a great one
I def recommend "Doomed to Fail" by J.J. Anselmi which talks about the evolution of doom, sludge and post-metal. It's a really fun read since it was written by a fan of these three genres.
That Val Wilmer book is excellent. If you find yourself enjoying it, I would also recommend Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones)'s "Black Music". It's a collection of his essays on the Free Jazz movement and it feels like a great addendum to the Wilmer.
Mark Fisher’s Ghosts of My Life it isn’t a music book more about culture in general but it mostly looks at music in the book
Hey Oli, I definitely recommend Toop's other books as well. Haunted Weather in particular clearly shows his progression as a journalist and musician from 'Ocean of Sound' whilst still being written in that same incrediblie manner. Both of them are my favourite music books for sure; I've got Flutter Echo waiting on the shelf too so we'll see
Nick Tosches's Hellfire and Dino are both top tier.
Mark Fisher is legend - what a guy. That book and Capitalist Realism are amazing. Also love Ocean of Sound, David Toop is like an encyclopedia on ambient music and clearly he’s so passionate about it
Yes! Mark Fisher is so important! Also his essay Exiting the Vampires Castle is so important to recognizing the importance of solidarity.
Deep Cuts, for your future guide on Kate Bush, I have in my hand "THe ULtimate Music Guide Kate Bush, WOW! New Collectors Edition. It's a magazine format of about 100 pages with photos. Easy and quick to breeze through. If you could get hold of it, it would help.
What a terrible day to be illiterate
Renegade - was a riot of a read. Mark E Smith has a razor sharp wit. He hits targets when discussing what a shit show 21st Century British popular Culture has become. If you live in Brighton, supported New Labour or support Manchester United you might want to avoid reading it.
There's tons of videos and articles like "The Top 10 Guitarists of All Time" and "The Top 100 Greatest Rock Bands of all Time", but I have never seen anyone ranking the top multiinstrumentalists of all time. That is something I would like to see. Great vid.
If you lust after 80s/90s indie band stories, Dean Wareham's book Black Postcards is a must. Being a fan of his music is not necessary (i'm not), to thoroughly enjoy his romantic description of NYC and the music scene at that time.
Have you read The Consumer by Michael Gira?
If not, you should, it’s great!
If you have, I am so sorry.
Rob Chapman's A Very Irregular Head about Syd Barrett is the best book on Syd out there Brilliant.
Great choices I'd recommend John F. Swed's Space is that Place. Sun Ra
You think we could maybe get a "5 Albums" on Blackgaze? It's become an obsession of mine recently and ide love to hear your opinion, hope you are well my friend!
Stomp and Swerve, Rip It Up and Start Again, Our Band Could Be Your Life are my 3.
Thanks for this, ordered a few from the library, especially excited for Electric Wizards. The best book about music I've ever read is Energy Flash by Simon Reynolds, which VERY cleverly traces the rise of rave music - and just exactly why it is people love electronic music so much - in the 80s, 90s and beyond, so if that's your bag, get into it - it's also an incredible, shocking pink colour, to complement all your yellow books.
Definitely planning on reading ocean of sound and the history of jazz. But can anyone recommend any books about noise music?
My favourite music book is Bob Dylan’s Chronicles vol 1
Hi Oliver I’d be curious to hear your thought on “djent” bands such as meshuggah. Know it’s not really a genre per se but there’s some interesting stuff there
Hey, I have just watched your guide to king crimson and Radiohead videos and think it would be great if you made a guide to Tame Impala. If you haven’t listen to impala I highly recommend it. Wish you the best.
I highly recommend the autobiography by E from Eels, ”Things The Grandchildren Should Know“
This is obvious, but I'm gonna say The Beatles: All These Years by Mark Lewisohn is pretty much THE definitive Beatles biography. Even though we're still waiting for volumes 2 and 3 to finish...
A couple of my favourite music books:
Meet Me In The Bathroom - Elizabeth Goodman
A story of the NY indie scene in the early 2000's told by those involved and those directly influenced by it, going into the British indie scene later on that decade.
David Bowie Made Me Gay - Darryl W Bullock
A history of LGBTQ+ music from the early 20th century to contemporary times.
Perfect Sound Whatever - James Acaster
A love story about music and how it saves us from our darkest hours. It'll make you want to change the way you chronicle the music you listen to.
Simon Reynolds 'Rip it up' and 'Retromania'
Ian Macdonald's "Revolution in the Head - The Beatles' Records and the Sixties".
Jim Cauty and Bill Drummond (of KLF) 'The Manual (How to Have a Number One the Easy Way)'
Lisa Darms 'Riot Grrrl Collection'.
The one I've not read but my whole life almost have been meaning to get around to is Julian Cope's 'Head On', which I hear is pretty good.
Thanks for the recommendations. Good to see you back. Cheers.
I must say that that George grella jrs 33 1/3 book on bitches brew finally made it click for me
so many comments with amazing book recommendations 🤯 my reading list just got bigger
Most interesting book I’ve read recently was “Facing the Other Way” by Martin Astor, a history on 4AD label.
You gotta check out Mingus’s “autobiography”Beneath the Underdog if you have not. But you surely have. Essential and purely insane.
whomstever got you that Mark Fisher book is likely a massive chad
Idea a video for the album The Life and Death of Black-Eye-Man
There’s a new edition of History of Jazz out that’s a bit updated. Has Kamasi Washington, Shabaka, and others in it now.
YESSS i’ve been waiting for this since i found your channel
Eric Coates' autobiography 'Suite:In Four Movements' was that funny I nearly added a fifth movement. Orchestral musicians were always crazy.
apparently techno duo Orbital is coming out with a book soon, do you think you should read it?
Hey, I was wondering if you like Elaine Radigue? I was assigned her for a electronic music class, and I’ve absolutely fallen in love with her. Her music is incredible, but her story, her personality, her ability to speak… only ever been rivaled by Carla bley for me
Great video. Lots to check out. My favourite book on music that I've read is probably Alex Ross's The Rest Is Noise. That book really opened up 20th century classical music for me. It also resulted in a greater appreciation of some rock artists who, wittingly or unwittingly, applied forms of modern classical experimentation to their own work (Brian Wilson, Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart, Brian Eno...).
working my way through the fall this past year but i think im gonna need a few more years to make a dent. amazing stuff.
Fuck me I've been waiting for this! Happy to see you back!
does anyone know any good books about the Japanese music scene?
David Stubbs' Future Days better be in this!
Please Kill me is a yellow book too. Okay I’ll stop harassing you now ✌🏻
YESSSSS, a great comeback I love it!!
missed you deepcuts! are you still doing the discord? i've not tuned in in a while
So there are a lot of “Ambient Music to Study To” sorts of stations, playlists etc. But is there an ambient album that helps you focus?
magic rainbow
Eno's Neroli
I'm quite fond of the disintegration loops albums for working.
Huerco S. - Quiet Time Tapes 4
I'm so glad that you mentioned Musicophilia. It's a really insightful book.
Love that you haven't left this channel behind, you're a legend man. Started watching you in high school and now a few years later I live on my own. Need more constants in my life. Bless.
Thank you so much for your recommendations!!
I've never commented on your vids before, but this is one I was hoping for
Miles Davis's autobiography on Audible is great with Miles doing the reading.