There is an ancient thread about the 33 1/3 book series here:
http://www.friendsoftom.com/forum/index.php?topic=3913.msg75002#msg75002 I am reviving the discussion because I would like to hear some FOT top picks from the series. I am just digging in and would love some direction on where to go next.
I have read three so far: The Kinks
Village Green, Guided By Voices
Bee Thousand, and Neutral Milk Hotel
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea. The first two were really compelling and the third was as dry as a bone.
I loved the
Village Green book because the author really dug into each track and provided his take on what made the track special...or not.
The
Bee Thousand book (Full disclosure: It was written by my friend Marc Woodworth) had a thrown-together quality not unlike the album it was trying to explain, and I felt that that worked.
The
Aeroplane book felt robotic in its straightforward retelling of facts about the band. "They were here and then they were there and then they met Jeff." Very little space is dedicated to analyses of the songs, the themes explored on the album overall, or conflicts between the musicians (if any).
Anyway, your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
P.S. I haven't posted on the FOT board in ages. Nice to be back!