Book Review: The Story of The Streets by Mike Skinner

By Rosie Duffield

April 25, 2013

In any autobiography, you expect a bit of family background, some interesting tales – perhaps an adventure or two  – and if you’re really lucky a degree of scandal.  This is particularly true of celebrity autobiographies.  It’s quite refreshing, then, to get an insight into Mike Skinner, the man behind The Streets.  The Story of The Streets does of course include some of this, but is told with such honesty and nonchalance that some of Skinner’s revelations are a bit of a shock. Though Skinner starts with a section about his beginnings, the book is set out rather unconventionally – documenting the making of his five albums rather than a straightforward chronology of his life. … Continue Reading

Book Review : Andy Bollen – Nirvana : A Tour Diary

By Carris Boast

April 11, 2013

Despite the title of the book, this diary utters the words ‘Nirvana’ in a whisper rather than a bawl, which is what you may not be expecting from a book which has lead singer Kurt Kobain plastered on the front cover. … Continue Reading

Book Review : Simon Goddard – Ziggyology : A Brief History Of Ziggy Stardust

By Kenny McMurtrie

March 25, 2013

Ziggy Stardust “died” seven months before I was born although his hair stayed atop David Bowie’s head up till mid-1974. In the 18 months of his existence it’s fair to say that his influence was pronounced (would Iggy And The The Stooges’ Raw Power or Lou Reed’s Transformer have seen the light of day without Ziggy boosting Bowie’s confidence?) … Continue Reading

Book Review : Iain Ellis – Brit Wits : A History Of British Rock Humor

By Rosie Duffield

March 04, 2013

They say you should never judge a book by its cover – and in this case it’s only partly true.  Neon colours (and the Americanised spelling of humour – Ed) instantly attract your eye to Iain Ellis’s Brit Wits: A History of British Rock Humor; styled à la the Sex Pistols it immediately piques your interest and identifies itself as a music-related book worth perusing. … Continue Reading

Book Review: Andy Kershaw – No Off Switch

By Rosie Duffield

January 22, 2013

Autobiographies are a bit hit and miss; not always interesting and often full of ego.  So it’s refreshing to read No Off Switch by Andy Kershaw – music journalist, foreign correspondent … luck magnet. … Continue Reading

Book Review: Sylvie Simmons – I’m Your Man : The Life Of Leonard Cohen

By Chris Phillips

January 10, 2013

Sylvie Simmons‘ hefty and admirably assiduous biography of Leonard Cohen may be considered by far the most exhaustive yet in terms of factual detail, but a critical eye is sometimes frustratingly lacking.

… Continue Reading