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mham's review against another edition
funny
informative
slow-paced
4.0
Some of the most descriptive, diverse and imaginary writing. He brought the music to life through words.
rbreade's review against another edition
Part of the 33 ⅓ series on important LPs. Lethem moves song by song through the record, interspersing his deep dives into each track with more global treatments that have titles such as "Is Fear of Music a Science Fiction Album?" Lethem is clearly a fan of all kinds of music and is able to find correspondences and comparisons between this Talking Heads album and the music of James Brown, Parliament-Funkadelic, Bob Dylanand much more.
yukbon's review against another edition
1.0
Lethem begins by telling you he loves this album and it blew his teenage mind away when he first heard it. He loves it so much, he had to write a book about it. But, not wanting to taint his writing, he's going to cocoon himself away while writing it -- no outside sources, no internet, no interviews, no references, nothing. You get 100% Lethem, 100% of the time. Want to know what the songs are about? Let's hope 16-year-old Lethem knew, otherwise you're S.O.L. Interviews with the band? Nope. Anything from or about Brian Eno? Band members discussing each other? Byrne being dismissive, everyone else bagging on Byrne? Nope. Media interviews? Any word on how the shows went? Radio reception? How did anyone other than Lethem feel about it -- fans, the band, whatever -- at the time, or now with the benefit of time, distance, experience and age? None of this and less is in the fucking book. After reading the book you will know exactly as much about the Heads and "Fear of Music" as you did going in, and a whole lot more than you wanted to about Jon Lethem. It's a shame the book isn't titled "Jonathan Lethem", because the title is misleading as hell. I'd give this book negative stars if I could, so that it took stars away from anyone who struggled their way through it.
larsinio's review against another edition
3.0
It's the best 33 1/3 book ive read so far. It probably has the most famous author as well.
This book is best described as a literary tribute to the album. Endless exposition and theory on its themes, but presented not in a logical fashion but in a liteary fashion. Ideas flow endlessly while the author speaks in his own voice as well. Its chaotic and in my opinion annoying to read.
But from what i hear, this is how Lethem's non-fiction characterized.
I did learn a bit about Byrne, the lyrical content, some of the composition, but very light on the songcraft aspect overall. Endless speculation of its lyrics, looking to understand this album as a concept album, amongst other open questions Lethem directly addresses to the viwer through his alter-ego teenage Brooklyn self in the early 80s.
Its a bit like a mind-dump of a stream of consciousness session turned into an album. But sometimes you dont want to drill into that too deep.
For how much Eno is sourced in the bibliography, i would have liked to have more discussion about his influence. It is hinted at here and there.
Ultimately, i dont know how much I actualyl learned, and how much is just Lethem's speculation. I think i need to read another book to correct any inaccuracies from this book. I think im going to stop reading any books from this series.
This book is best described as a literary tribute to the album. Endless exposition and theory on its themes, but presented not in a logical fashion but in a liteary fashion. Ideas flow endlessly while the author speaks in his own voice as well. Its chaotic and in my opinion annoying to read.
But from what i hear, this is how Lethem's non-fiction characterized.
I did learn a bit about Byrne, the lyrical content, some of the composition, but very light on the songcraft aspect overall. Endless speculation of its lyrics, looking to understand this album as a concept album, amongst other open questions Lethem directly addresses to the viwer through his alter-ego teenage Brooklyn self in the early 80s.
Its a bit like a mind-dump of a stream of consciousness session turned into an album. But sometimes you dont want to drill into that too deep.
For how much Eno is sourced in the bibliography, i would have liked to have more discussion about his influence. It is hinted at here and there.
Ultimately, i dont know how much I actualyl learned, and how much is just Lethem's speculation. I think i need to read another book to correct any inaccuracies from this book. I think im going to stop reading any books from this series.
drudouglas's review against another edition
1.0
Incomprehensible, faux-intellectual word vomit that sometimes mentions Talking Heads.
drewsof's review against another edition
4.0
Lethem being Lethem and nerding the fuck out over his most important Talking Heads record. Your mileage will vary depending on, well, how you feel about any of that. But if it's your kind of thing, you'll dig it for sure.
thebobsphere's review
3.0
I REALLY wanted to like this volume of the 33 1/3 series, after all Jonathan Lethem isthe ideal person to write about Talking Heads but unfortunately all I got was a bunch of scattershot slang,and pop culture references - I liked some bits but others dragged. Maybe he was trying to emulate the feel of a TH record but the thing is they had tunes.
sethdmichaels's review
4.0
Distractingly and off-puttingly self-conscious and weird at first, but it grows on you; not unlike the (awesome) album it's about.