book data
70 ratings, 3.37 average rating, 24 reviews
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published
May 8th 2007
by Atria
binding
Hardcover, 320 pages
isbn
0743292324
(isbn13: 9780743292320)
description
Set in the years between the meteoric launches of Madonna and Courtney Love, Petal Pusher takes readers on a stirring journey across rock and r...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 111)
Read in November, 2008
If possible, I'd give this book a 3.5 star ranking. It's a very engagingly-written description of being a woman in an indie rock band (Zuzu's Petals, to be specific) in the late 80s and early 90s in Minneapolis. I am a fiend for the music of this particular era and location, so just seeing everyone pop up in the story is really great. Mark Louris works as a fry cook with the author! Dave Pirner's just hanging about! Oh my gosh, Butch is Butch Vig! The first half is really zippy and fun, but then...more
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Read in October, 2008
maybe i just react badly to midwestern passive fucking aggression. or passive aggression in general. i don't know. writing this up just made me more irritated.
what could have been a really entertaining book was in my opinion marred by this obnoxious undertone of bitterness. she freely fesses up to insecurity and envy toward many of her female contemporaries, complains about all of the sexism and "you rock for a girl" and then is so completely undermining and nasty about how "t...more
what could have been a really entertaining book was in my opinion marred by this obnoxious undertone of bitterness. she freely fesses up to insecurity and envy toward many of her female contemporaries, complains about all of the sexism and "you rock for a girl" and then is so completely undermining and nasty about how "t...more
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Read in May, 2008
This is a great read for people who were into the Minneapolis music scene in the 80's and early 90's. Laurie Lindeen headed the all-girl band, Zuzu's Petals and is still married to Paul Westerberg, of Replacements fame.
It was a good read - I read it in two days - I enjoyed the name dropping and the stories about how the band came together. But you know? Lindeen spent a lot of time complaining, second-guessing herself, putting herself down. After a couple hundred pages, it detracts from the ...more
It was a good read - I read it in two days - I enjoyed the name dropping and the stories about how the band came together. But you know? Lindeen spent a lot of time complaining, second-guessing herself, putting herself down. After a couple hundred pages, it detracts from the ...more
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recommends it for:
Rock History
I checked this out at the library yesterday and cant stop reading it; it's an account of the band Zuzu's Petals (late 80's early 90's Minneapolis) as told by the guitarist Laurie Lindeen. A great romp through the underbelly of incessant touring, recording and album promoting, this book really focuses on the music business and the super unglamorous side of being in an all girl band in the early 90's. The camraderie of the three bandmates and their hijinks remind me of my youth (however I was nev...more
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recommends it for:
gutter punks
Can't decide if I like the writing, nevertheless I'm enjoying this because the author is from Madison and did a lot of rocking in Minneapolis. I recognize lots of the scenery. I don't think I've ever actually listened to Zuzu's Petals, but there's a lot of stuff about other bands I like. Good fun.
So far my favorite part is the mention of Poopshovel, a band that was allegedly started in the basement of my former apartment on Brearly St. in Madison. Heh.
So far my favorite part is the mention of Poopshovel, a band that was allegedly started in the basement of my former apartment on Brearly St. in Madison. Heh.
Read in August, 2007
Laurie is in my yoga class and several friends and I have followed the course of this book's genesis with great interest. Not being part of the rock music scene she describes made this a less than compelling read for me -
I never would have picked it up without some personal connection. But if you do know the period of time and the places she describes there is probably more to interest you.
I never would have picked it up without some personal connection. But if you do know the period of time and the places she describes there is probably more to interest you.
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Read in June, 2007
As rock n roll memoirs go, this one is really very good, and I've read far too many of them. I know she doesn't want to be lumped into this category, but it is what made me pick it up. Like Rob Sheffield's Love is a Mix Tape this book shows that you can be obsessed with rock n roll; it shapes us, gives meaning to our lives but ultimately our individual lives are always bigger than the music.
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
Music lovers, Mpls residents (or former)
Lindeen's writing is a little clunky - she writes like she speaks (presumably, but like me!). But I found it added to her tale towards the end - when the wheels start falling off. A generally entertaining view of moderate band success - and Lindeen actually outs people on their behavior or actions - which I find many band auto-bios don't do.
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I liked this better as I went along. the author ended up marrying paul westerburg and playing in her band until the point of diminishing returns. i wasn't thrilled with the back and forth time structure. She also struggled with MS. Interesting reading another tale of rock n roll grown up.
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Read in January, 2008
Rather disappointing. I need to read some sexy groupie books, I think. Laurie Lindeen's style is incredibly annoying, or it's probably just her personality. Really vapid! I can't believe she managed to marry Paul Westerberg. She's probably a nice person - just a lousy writer.
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Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
girls that wanna rock
this book inspired me to pick up a guitar at the age of 27. that it wasn't a lost hope. that even if i didn't join a band, and tour the country...if laurie lindeen could do it, so could i.
hands down, one of the best memoirs i've read all year.
hands down, one of the best memoirs i've read all year.
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Read in October, 2007
There are so many parallels in this book to my own life, but even if there weren't, Lindeen is a wonderful storyteller. You feel as if you're reading a great letter from a friend. This is a book I had a hard time putting down. Now I'm sad it's finished.
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Don't let the cover fool you--this is actually a gorgeous account of the life of a touring band, and a examination of that point when being on the road begins to drag your creative spirit into the gutter.
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THis was ok. I like recognizing names, etc from Mpls... The story was not very engaging. Maybe you need to be a fan of Zuzu's Petals to enjoy it. I hae a copy to lend anyone who's interested.
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Read in August, 2007
I've had the dream of touring the country in a rock n' roll band myself; reading this book allowed me to see that perhaps it's not what I want to do after all. Reading about it is enjoyable enough.
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Read in August, 2007
Fluffy story about ZuZu's Petals, an all-girl 90's band that lived in Minneapolis. Mostly this book made me want to listen to the other music that came out of that scene (Jayhawks, Replacements).
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Read in July, 2007
recommends it for:
everyone teenager and older
A distant relative with an interesting life,- I actually met her briefly at a book signing and hope to keep in touch to find out about her next book and also a some day family reunion.
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Read in January, 2008
Still reading. It's ok. I'm never dying to read it and I have yet to have that, "oh I cant wait to see what happens next" feeling. So far I wouldnt recommend it.
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Read in December, 2007
recommends it for:
music fans especially those from Minneapolis
This is a great book! It took me a bit to get into her writing style but, once I did, I was hooked.
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Had some flaws, and I skipped some sections, but overall an interesting and engaging read.
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