I have heard it said that writing about music is a perpetual challenge, mostly because there is really no way to describe music unless you can hear it for yourself. Think about it. Can you imagine telling someone what the opening sequence of Kashimir sounds like? Can you really describe the sounds of seeing a band live for the first time after years of devotion?
Steve Almond does his best to capture music with words in this book of memoir-esque devotion, Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life. He has dubbed himself (and others like him) a “drooling fanatic,” and he uses this term throughout his book to manifest the levels of devotion that he feels towards rock music.
When I met Steve Almond in March of 2010, I was struck by the self-deprecating manner in which he addressed our Creative Writing group. He claims he is a mediocre writer who never makes any money and pretty much advised our class never to become writers because we’d all experience a very wretched existence. But Almond lectured our class in a way that negated his warning: he was hilarious, over-the-top and completely crude, but his sentimentality and love for his work radiated in his commentary despite his best efforts to maintain the “I don’t give a crap” tough-guy front.
While visiting our class, Almond read to us a section of this book, and I was captivated by his writing style. You have to be ready for Steve Almond, because he is always going to say exactly what he thinks. His book is an apt reflection of his personality, a mix of jarring descriptions of things like being stoned at Graceland (and being a loser pothead in general) with tender reflections on being a father, husband and true lover of all things rock music.
The book is laid out in the format of a mixed CD and features a link to an accompanying online play list (way to blend form and content, Steve!). The first chapter, “Bruce Springsteen is a Rock Star, You Are Not” features a hilariously accurate list entitled “Bands Shamelessly Overexposed by the ‘Alternative’ Press,” something that had me laughing for the rest of the book. Each chapter name-drops a sprinkling of songs and artists, some of whom Steve has met and others who he dreams of becoming, and many “side notes” in the book feature Steve’s personal lists such as “top songs to listen to when depressed,” and “Rock’s top 10 religious freaks.”
The downside to this book is how young I felt reading it. Despite being a fan of rock and roll, I realized while reading this book that Mr. Almond is most attune to the music culture of his heyday: mixtapes and record albums aren’t a big part of my instantly-downloaded music life. At other times, I found myself wondering why the book wasn’t called “Rock and Roll Could Save Your Life;” then I realized that Mr. Almond’s message (and use of the word “will”) is quite serious.
And that’s the good thing about Steve Almond. While he acknowledges that all of our “drooling fanatic” experiences are different, there are universal truths available to everyone who loves music (even “bad” music). It is these truths that Almond seeks to expose in this strangely captivating book.
Finally: If you want a taste of Steve before you buy this book, check out this video.
Nell
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