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inamerata 's review for:
The Dad Rock That Made Me a Woman
by Niko Stratis
A brilliant playlist of a book, combining music criticism and personal essay. Stratis really knows her stuff, tracing popular and unexpected connections between songs, artists, and genres, and deftly weaving in vulnerable pieces of her own life. Her writing is clever, funny, and incredibly poignant throughout. The resulting mix is unique, personal, and a treat to read.
I appreciated her approach to dad rock as a genre, and dad as a gender role. In both cases, she opens these ideas up by focusing on a core of sincerity. Even if there is a distance -- never confirming how autobiographical a song is or isn't, feelings expressed through actions and not words -- Statis identifies supportive pillars of "dad-ness," unbound from narrow ideas of masculinity. You can find it in The Mountain Goats and Julien Baker as much as The Waterboys and Bruce Springsteen. You can find "dad-ness" in someone of any gender, and you'll certainly find plenty of men without a trace of it. It may not always be considered cool, but it's always there for you.
I appreciated her approach to dad rock as a genre, and dad as a gender role. In both cases, she opens these ideas up by focusing on a core of sincerity. Even if there is a distance -- never confirming how autobiographical a song is or isn't, feelings expressed through actions and not words -- Statis identifies supportive pillars of "dad-ness," unbound from narrow ideas of masculinity. You can find it in The Mountain Goats and Julien Baker as much as The Waterboys and Bruce Springsteen. You can find "dad-ness" in someone of any gender, and you'll certainly find plenty of men without a trace of it. It may not always be considered cool, but it's always there for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia
Moderate: Drug abuse, Misogyny, Sexual harassment