C.'s review of Fargo Rock City : A Heavy Metal Odyssey in Rural North Dakota

Fargo Rock City : A Heavy Metal Odyssey in Rural North Dakota Fargo Rock City : A Heavy Metal Odyssey in Rural North Dakota
by Chuck Klosterman
386157
C.'s review
rating: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
status: Read in January, 2008

The thesis: Popular 1980's heavy metal music like Warrant and Poison is culturally relevant due to it's popularity at the time of it's release.
I agree.

The book starts in the early '80s when the writer's brother brings home a Motley Crue tape. The loose narrative follows the writer's life into the late '90s, discussing the hard rock that was popular at different points in the writer's life. Poison at the beginning of high school, Guns 'n' Roses at the end and grunge in college, ending with a state of the union address for rock 'n' roll in the late '90s (Buckcherry).

The book suffers an identity crisis. It is peppered with anecdotes about life in a small town in North Dakota, but there is no pathos because none of the stories go far enough in depth. Then the writer analyzes popular rock music, but seems embarrassed to be doing it, and contradicts his own (often intelligent) assertions, even making fun of them.

What we're left with is an unfocused ramble through the mind...more
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