From Library Journal
Because the subjects of the publisher's "Kill Your Idols" series are "unafraid of experimentation," "hold nothing sacred," and "inspire skepticism of idol-making in their listeners" (for the most part), they are perhaps more magnetic than popular music's traditional gods and goddesses. These anti-idols may not have directly sprung from the pelvis of Elvis, but they are related to the Velvet One. Here, original research is not the point (rabid fans have frayed these musicians' yarns anyway); the authors relied on each performer's standard biography, documentaries, liner notes, and other sources to relate a condensed chronology of career and personal highs and lows. Rather, this is a chance for a "professional" fan (read: a music critic) to express his opinions on the roles that pompousness, vision, and circumstance played in his band's life. Each profile is under 150 pages and consists of three sections: "The Story," "The Music," and (often the most compelling section) "The Legacy." Quoth Quantick in his insightful closing: "People were inspired by The Clash not for what they actually achieved, but for what The Clash thought they might achieve." Much like Cliff Notes for frustrating music careers, these pocket-sized biographies contain indexes but no bibliographies. That absence, along with the personalized tone, recommends the series to comprehensive music collections. Johnny Green's A Riot of Our Own: Night and Day with the Clash (LJ 1/99) and Ira B. Nadel's Various Positions: A Life of Leonard Cohen (LJ 11/1/96) will well serve library patrons. [The standard Neil Young biography may end up being Shakey: The Biography of Neil Young by Jimmy McDonough, who spent eight years writing the tome. Right now, however, McDonough is suing Young for $1.8 million for prohibiting its publication after Young signed an agreement to cooperate with McDonough. Ed.] Heather McCormack, "Library Journal.
- Heather McCormack, "Library Journal" Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Sheppard traces Cohen from 1940s childhood in Montreal's Jewish community to early acclaim as a poet and novelist and successful pursuit of a musical career to current semiretirement as a Buddhist monk. A song-by-song critical rundown and an assessment of Cohen's legacy follow. In Sheppard's hands the series' title is an idle threat, for he treats Cohen with nearly reverential respect. He isn't the most stylish writer, either, though his information and insights are solid. A lugubrious and monotonous singer, Cohen is an acquired taste. His fans are devoted and numerous, however, and his influence on the likes of Nick Cave and Cowboy Junkies is undeniable. Superior books on both subjects exist, but librarians seeking an expedient way to represent important, overlooked musicians in their collections--other series entries cover Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, and Neil Young--should consider the series.
Gordon FlaggCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
