Comments on: Perfect from Now On: How Indie Rock Saved My Life

By: Susannah

Susannah — Tue, 22 May 2007 13:44:46 +0000

I read about 30 pages of this book before realizing that was 30 pages too many. Incoherent writing, incoherent opinions about music (I say this as a massive GBV fan, too) and annoying devices on every page.

A much better book, if you’re looking for a combination of indie rock fandom and sincere emotion, is Rob Sheffield’s “Love is a Mix Tape.” He’s a much better writer–very charming–and you won’t want to punch him after you’re done reading the book.

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 16 May 2007 12:35:18 +0000

You gotta be kidding. Perhaps I’m misreading your hipster sarcasm. No, one actually likes GBV? I think GBV is among the most important bands – if importance is to be judged by vast quantities of great, great music, inspiring other bands, launching movements, etc – since REM. I think there’s just this reactionary revisionism going on now where it’s cooler not to like them. And there’s no doubt Pollard released so much stuff there for a while that some of it was bound to be not up to par. Even the latter day GBV records has moments that were better than much of the rest of crap being released in the world. Make no mistake, they have legions and legions of fans and were much beloved. When their bass player quit a few years before the band broke up, every indie bass player volunteered to take the spot. . .

By: Bruce

Bruce — Wed, 16 May 2007 11:51:47 +0000

So he takes the title from a Built To Spill album. Then he just goes on about Pavement & Guided By Voices. (I’m a fan but I stopped picking up the never ending output after Mag Earwhig). Why no love for Neutral Milk Hotel probably before his time.

Yeah Klosterman is probably the one they all ape now, Lester Bangs must be rolling in his grave.