Reviews

Unsung Heroes Of Rock 'n' Roll: The Birth Of Rock In The Wild Years Before Elvis by Nick Tosches

testpattern's review against another edition

4.0

To be charitable towards a man whom I genuinely respect, I will point out that this was one of [a: Nick Tosches|22854|Nick Tosches|http://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1268865395p2/22854.jpg]' first books. Tosches' tough-guy macho posturing is a weakness that runs through even his most mature works. This is why the gleefully dark mafia send-up [b: Cut Numbers|40668|Cut Numbers A Novel|Nick Tosches|http://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388457982s/40668.jpg|40253] is so refreshing--he's not entirely serious. Still, does he really need to call Big Joe Turner a "fat fuck", though? And the callous dismissiveness of his narrative of Johnny Ace's sad end is just disappointing. That having been said, like all of Tosches' critical works, this is meticulously researched, full of priceless interviews with persons completely forgotten by all but the most fanatical collectors and crate-diggers (that would be amusing, a Nick Tosches DJ set at some club in Hoboken or something, his blasted countenace nodding witheringly into a cupped earphone, omnipresent cigarette strewing ash all over the mixer. That I would pay money for). Tosches also has an amazing ability to quote classical and medieval sources in the context of pop music criticism in a manner that reads as not only unpretentious, but perfectly apt. All in all, a prett darn good book written by a guy who is a hell of a lot smarter than most of us.

dreadtoaster's review against another edition

3.0

Really incredible biographies of sub-legendary figures you won’t find anywhere else. Unfortunately couched in a very irritating macho rhetoric that feels dismissive and righteous towards the men and tastelessly horny towards the women. These people deserved better than to be eulogized so crassly but I am happy that they were eulogized at all. And yes, I suppose it is very rock and roll to think of these stories as just another page in the Americana Bible, but it does make for an exhausting read despite the short chapters.