From Dusty Springfield to The Ramones, this book features selected writings from the 33 1/3 series, Volumes 1 through 20. Readers will find informa...
read full description
reviews
Mar 08, 2011
Liz
rated it: 
Am I interested in what Colin Meloy thinks about the Replacements? Hmmm.
Back in the days when music lovers purchased "records," the first listenings were accompanied by obsessive reading of the liner notes and analysis and interpretation of the cover art. I wanted to know everything there was to know about my favorite bands and their music, and this fed a certain sense of identity for me, that I knew the obscure and arcane about the obscure and alternative bands I loved. More...
Back in the days when music lovers purchased "records," the first listenings were accompanied by obsessive reading of the liner notes and analysis and interpretation of the cover art. I wanted to know everything there was to know about my favorite bands and their music, and this fed a certain sense of identity for me, that I knew the obscure and arcane about the obscure and alternative bands I loved. More...
Sep 20, 2010
Peter
rated it: 
Being somewhat of a music nerd, this book met my needs as casual reading in short spurts. Some of the album stories are a little silly, like the myth-building chapter on Stairway to Heaven (which should have been about Zoso, and could have had so many more interesting versions with behind-the-scenes info or actual music analysis, instead of the hippie mumbo jumbo they went with). Another silly attempt is the joy division read that felt like a high school diary - but perhaps that reflects on my o
More...
May 19, 2009
Nick
rated it: 
This had its moments like the chapters on Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, and Pink Floyd, but, for the most part, this is an excuse for people to get paid without doing any research or having anything to do with anything pertaining to their subject. I guess I'm looking for factual accounts of my heros in the form of research with facts on the stuff that happened. The chapter on Rolling Stones was one of the best, as the writer seemed to know alot of details about what was going on with them then. I c
More...
Aug 23, 2010
Brian
rated it:
Some selections were really interesting. Some were indulgent and dreadful. Some were about albums I've never even heard of (I skipped those.) All in all, I'll probably do more reading in this series. It is awfully British, though. "Freshen your drink, Gov'nor?"
Feb 21, 2010
Jonathan
rated it:
I thought it would be different than this, just small chapters out of the books themselves. Not very satisfying, not sure if I will read any of the series now. I had no idea who the writers where and nothing is added to tell me who they are.
Jul 06, 2008
Devin
rated it:
It gave a nice taste of the 33 1/3 series that devotes a novella sized text to one particular album. It seems like there's a lot of diverse takes throughout the series. But this compilation was hard because they were so truncated. Of course it was the only way to do it for a volume like this, but instead of reading this I'd suggest just diving in and picking up the texts that are on albums you like.
Jan 26, 2008
Jon
rated it:
This book is a great way read the best of the 33 1/3 series and see which albums you'd like to read more about. Some albums you might love and be really curious about but the writer doesn't approach it in a way that jives with you. Or there could be albums that you're not too excited about but the author has a really refereshing take on the material. A great crash course on the cream of modern pop music.
Jan 23, 2008
Jeff
rated it:
The good excerpts are good, but the bad ones are awful. Dai Griffiths' chapter about OK Computer is one of the six worst things I've ever read. Bill Janovitz (Buffalo Tom) has a pretty kick-ass analysis of the Stones' Exile on Main Street that mostly makes up for it. It's a hit-and-miss collection, but rock geeks will find some good stuff in here.
Dec 06, 2007
Lenny
rated it:
the 33 1/3 books are always a mixed bag, and this anthology is no different. pick this book up the next time you're in the mood to learn about some of your favorite musicians, albeit in a dry, slightly pretentious academic style.
Nov 25, 2011
Joe
rated it:
This collection of chapters from different books in the 33 1/3 series is a mixed bag of work. There are pieces of unreadable pretentious tripe, fawning fanboy upchuckium, and insightful, well-thought out analyses.
Oct 29, 2007
Elizabeth
rated it: 
I love this, it's just frustrating that I can't seem to find the actual 33 1/3 books! (I suppose I'll have to order them - apparently you can't find everything in NYC.)
Feb 13, 2012
Feb 07, 2012
Jan 11, 2012
Oct 10, 2011
Sep 30, 2011
Sep 26, 2011
Sep 09, 2011
Aug 14, 2011
Aug 02, 2011
Aug 01, 2011
Jul 25, 2011
Jul 05, 2011
Jun 11, 2011
Jun 08, 2011
Apr 19, 2011
Dec 17, 2010
