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219 reviews for:
Talking to Girls About Duran Duran: One Young Man's Quest for True Love and a Cooler Haircut
Rob Sheffield
3.54 AVERAGE
219 reviews for:
Talking to Girls About Duran Duran: One Young Man's Quest for True Love and a Cooler Haircut
Rob Sheffield
3.54 AVERAGE
Having grown up in the 80s and having had a great disdain for Duran Duran, this book was enlightening. I missed out on enjoying some trashy music that girls loved and missed out on an easy entrance into that ever-so-difficult world of talking to girls. Sheffield tells some hilarious stories based around some of the most iconic pop songs of that decade. Good stuff.
Maybe it was because I was a child of the 80's and not a teenager in the 80's, but to me this book was just ok. Every chapter was centered around a different song that evoked a memory for Sheffield, and every chapter had one line that made me laugh out loud (yes - only one line). The chapter on cassingles made me laugh more than once though (because who didn't love a cassingle! And my sisters and I shared quite a few of the cassingles he owned. I still own them as a matter of fact!), so for that I give this book 3 solid stars.
lighthearted
slow-paced
lighthearted
medium-paced
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Fun memoir, although I don't think the author did a great job making the connection between the songs he picked and stories in each chapter. In most cases there was just a fleeting mention of the song almost as though he forgot that he was suppose to be writing about the song. Fortunately, the stories were interesting enough, and the musical references were fun enough, that as I kept reading it did not matter. I did really enjoy the shout-out to my ex-bf's band in one of the chapters!
If you are looking for an ode to the 80s and a hefty dose of music talk, then this is the book for you. If you wish you could listen to more hours of Sound Opinions or jump inside and edition of Paste or Rolling Stone and banter about the merits of your favorite 80s one hit wonder or which band was the most stellar in 1983, then you've found the pages of your dreams. However, I like a more predominant story line with the music playing a solid supporting role and a little less internal music debate.
He discusses a dichotomy in his book about how girls like songs with melodies and guy prefer a big bass/drums and lyrics.
What can I say? I wanted more Melody in this book! I would rather read about people with the bonus of the accompanying soundtrack, rather than have the focus lay predominantly on the merits of the music alone. I really liked a previous book of his, Love is a Mix Tape much better because it seemed to draw you in to the personal story and weave in musical references smoothly in a supporting way rather than the main attraction.
He discusses a dichotomy in his book about how girls like songs with melodies and guy prefer a big bass/drums and lyrics.
What can I say? I wanted more Melody in this book! I would rather read about people with the bonus of the accompanying soundtrack, rather than have the focus lay predominantly on the merits of the music alone. I really liked a previous book of his, Love is a Mix Tape much better because it seemed to draw you in to the personal story and weave in musical references smoothly in a supporting way rather than the main attraction.
Very fun trip about growing up in the 80s, told through music and other pop culture references, from the view of a sullen teen boy. He found music as a way to communicate, and lyrics helped him relate to his feelings and life questions.
Rob Sheffield is a brilliant and humorous writer. This guy's got mad music credentials. I've become familiar with him over the past few years from his books on Stevie Nicks, David Bowie, and most recently, co-hosting the weekly Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Podcast. If he's got something to say about music, I want to hear it. Even if I don't agree, his reflections are unique.
As he tells his story, he progresses through the decade with chapters titled names of bands/artists and one of their songs, like "A Flock of Seagulls: Space Age Love Song (1982)" and "Lita Ford: Kiss Me Deadly (1988)". This book is 15 years old already. But since he's writing about coming of age back then, references are still accurate.
For example, in a chapter on movies and soundtracks, he declares the 1980's a Teen Utopia. I give him props for declaring "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" with Sarah Jessica Parker and Helen Hunt one of the all time best movies about growing up Catholic.
For Gen X, it's just delightful.
Rob Sheffield is a brilliant and humorous writer. This guy's got mad music credentials. I've become familiar with him over the past few years from his books on Stevie Nicks, David Bowie, and most recently, co-hosting the weekly Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Podcast. If he's got something to say about music, I want to hear it. Even if I don't agree, his reflections are unique.
As he tells his story, he progresses through the decade with chapters titled names of bands/artists and one of their songs, like "A Flock of Seagulls: Space Age Love Song (1982)" and "Lita Ford: Kiss Me Deadly (1988)". This book is 15 years old already. But since he's writing about coming of age back then, references are still accurate.
For example, in a chapter on movies and soundtracks, he declares the 1980's a Teen Utopia. I give him props for declaring "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" with Sarah Jessica Parker and Helen Hunt one of the all time best movies about growing up Catholic.
For Gen X, it's just delightful.
Another gem from Rob Sheffield. I loved [b:Love is a Mix Tape|46190|Love is a Mix Tape|Rob Sheffield|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170315388s/46190.jpg|45332]and I loved this one. Each chapter is a different song. Best chapter? The one devoted to cassingles. Awwwww yeah.