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condimentsqueen's review
This is so so badly written, I don’t understand how it was published. The constant “ver Hits” when referring to Smash Hits is so irritating, I almost threw the book out of the window. It’s just endless ramblings of quite frankly, juvenile interactions with some of the most famous people in music. The hey day of Smash Hits was about 10 years before I was even born but I can safely say, I would not have read it if I was alive and of reading age. Utter garbage, so many other better memoirs about the music industry out there.
romanaromana's review against another edition
DNF @ page 105.
Typical. I pick up a nonfiction book for the first time in forever, thinking I'm ready, and it's boring.
This book packaging worked its magic on me. i'm not with the band appears to be right up my street - a book about music and writing, infused with nostalgia and humour. But the reality was far from the fun read I wanted.
Admittedly, Sylvia Patterson's idea of nostalgia was never going to match up to mine given that we grew up decades apart. But I was hopeful that this nostalgia and revisit to the past would be well-written and inclusive enough to help me enjoy it regardless, as I did in Ready Player One and Daisy Jones & The Six. Evidently, without the freeform of fiction, this wasn't realistic. I really struggled to understand any of Patterson's references and they are constant, so entire pages of writing were completely lost on me.
This isn't helped by Patterson's writing style, which is dominated by long-winded and rambling sentences. I think this contributed to the humorous tone, but in the meantime complicated and tangled her references so they were even harder to decipher.
As a final point, I also didn't much enjoy the nonchalant chaos of Patterson's early life and career, which I felt was romanticised. When I'm expecting to read about someone's life and career in a rapidly changing and exciting industry, reading of parties and smoking and purposelessness is boring. I don't know how things progress, but Patterson's attitude towards life would have had to change quite dramatically to actually get me interested in reading about it.
The search for enjoyable nonfic continues. This blip will probably delay my endeavours by another few months though. Oops.
Typical. I pick up a nonfiction book for the first time in forever, thinking I'm ready, and it's boring.
This book packaging worked its magic on me. i'm not with the band appears to be right up my street - a book about music and writing, infused with nostalgia and humour. But the reality was far from the fun read I wanted.
Admittedly, Sylvia Patterson's idea of nostalgia was never going to match up to mine given that we grew up decades apart. But I was hopeful that this nostalgia and revisit to the past would be well-written and inclusive enough to help me enjoy it regardless, as I did in Ready Player One and Daisy Jones & The Six. Evidently, without the freeform of fiction, this wasn't realistic. I really struggled to understand any of Patterson's references and they are constant, so entire pages of writing were completely lost on me.
This isn't helped by Patterson's writing style, which is dominated by long-winded and rambling sentences. I think this contributed to the humorous tone, but in the meantime complicated and tangled her references so they were even harder to decipher.
As a final point, I also didn't much enjoy the nonchalant chaos of Patterson's early life and career, which I felt was romanticised. When I'm expecting to read about someone's life and career in a rapidly changing and exciting industry, reading of parties and smoking and purposelessness is boring. I don't know how things progress, but Patterson's attitude towards life would have had to change quite dramatically to actually get me interested in reading about it.
The search for enjoyable nonfic continues. This blip will probably delay my endeavours by another few months though. Oops.
saturnstyless's review against another edition
4.0
At times so good!! and others kinda boring. Great telling of the music industry from late 80’s to 10’s.
rosiejordansmith's review against another edition
4.0
In another life I’d have loved to have been a music journalist (not that I have much of a career rn lol). This was equal parts insightful and funny. Thoroughly enjoyed. Definitely for fans of Caitlin Moran.
ljbentley27's review against another edition
4.0
As a one-time music reviewer, I was keen to read Sylvia Patterson’s book I’m Not With the Band – A Writer’s Life Lost in Music because if I’m truly honest it was all I’ve ever wanted; travelling around with bands, being there for the important things, the big events, the epic concerts. Sadly that wasn’t the life that I got. It is a shame but I had some good times with music. So I opted to live vicariously through Sylvia Patterson.
What an interesting ride.
Sylvia talks about these truly amazing events that she has seen, moments that she has been privy to with all the humility and humbleness of someone who just accepts this as the norm. For Patterson, it was. For this wide eyed reader I read each page with excitement…and admittedly, a little envy.
I’m Not With the Band – A Writer’s Life Lost in Music is a brilliant memoir of not just a person but a history of music that each and every one of us can relate to in some way or another. There are moments when some of the writing feels a little self indulgent – especially with the insider lingo – but it doesn’t take away from the truly amazing experiences that are fascinating to read about.
I’m Not With the Band – A Writer’s Life Lost in Music by Sylvia Patterson is available now.
For more information regarding Sylvia Patterson (@SylvPatterson) please visit www.sylviapatterson.tumblr.com.
For more information regarding Little Brown Book Group (@LittleBrownUK) please visit www.littlebrown.co.uk.
What an interesting ride.
Sylvia talks about these truly amazing events that she has seen, moments that she has been privy to with all the humility and humbleness of someone who just accepts this as the norm. For Patterson, it was. For this wide eyed reader I read each page with excitement…and admittedly, a little envy.
I’m Not With the Band – A Writer’s Life Lost in Music is a brilliant memoir of not just a person but a history of music that each and every one of us can relate to in some way or another. There are moments when some of the writing feels a little self indulgent – especially with the insider lingo – but it doesn’t take away from the truly amazing experiences that are fascinating to read about.
I’m Not With the Band – A Writer’s Life Lost in Music by Sylvia Patterson is available now.
For more information regarding Sylvia Patterson (@SylvPatterson) please visit www.sylviapatterson.tumblr.com.
For more information regarding Little Brown Book Group (@LittleBrownUK) please visit www.littlebrown.co.uk.
behindthecritic's review against another edition
4.0
Dissertation research.
I'm not going to use this as a primary text but I found it really valuable for my research. It was interesting to hear about the music industry from a female music journalist and her encounters with musicians across different genres. I found the chapters on Adele, Amy Winehouse and Beyonce particularly interesting when it comes to crafting a persona for the media and why that is needed.
I'm not going to use this as a primary text but I found it really valuable for my research. It was interesting to hear about the music industry from a female music journalist and her encounters with musicians across different genres. I found the chapters on Adele, Amy Winehouse and Beyonce particularly interesting when it comes to crafting a persona for the media and why that is needed.