Books & Lit
Alan Cross Avoids The Sophomore Slump
Does the term "sophomore slump" apply to music audio book authors like it does to bands? Maybe not, but either way the The Alan Cross Guide to Alternative Rock Volume Two: The 80's (out now on HarperCollinsCanada) definitely avoids that tag.
The music that was made in the 80's is perhaps the most scrutinized (at least for the clothes and hair that came along with it), but also the most studied by today's up-and-coming artists. Anyone over the age of 25 has seen their fair share of "retro 80's" dance nights around town - most recycling the same hits each and every week. But, as Alan's latest audio book points out, that decade produced some of the best and most influential pop music of all time.
After thoroughly enjoying Volume One, I couldn't wait to sink my ears into Volume Two. The format remains the same: a four-CD set that covers the most influential new rock artists to come out of the 80's. Starting with synthesizer pioneers Kraftwerk (who are currently touring North America), and ending with industrial godfathers Skinny Puppy, Cross takes us on a wild ride through the origins of electro, post-punk, goth and indie rock via detailed biographies of those artists who helped define their genres.
Do you know who the band Feedback became before they grew to be one of the biggest rock bands ever? Did you know that Robert Smith brewed his own beer as a teen? Or that Dave Gahan was an infamous car thief in his teens? It's little nuggets like these alone that make Alan Cross a cool guy to listen to. Here's a shopping list of releases I've made after listening to this volume:
Joy Division - Substance
New Order - The Best of New Order
Kraftwerk - Autobahn and Trans-Europe Express
The Smiths - Singles
Volume 3 covers the 90's. I'm guessing Radiohead, Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails and The Smashing Pumpkins. The remaining spots are up for grabs I think.
Discussion
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Where can one find his audiobooks??
Follow the first link above or go here: http://www.harpercollins.ca/audio/cross_2.html
Thanks, but is there any stores I can get it at?
Brick and mortar retailers have it too (HMV, for eg).
this guy (and his fancy Porsche), makes me reach for the gravol.
Too bad he makes shit up rather than double check his references. He's a decent storyteller, at best.
Alan Cross is awesome.
Is he still rehashing the same facts he's been rehashing for 15 years on his Ongoing History of New Music show? He's done endless history of this or that, or 50 best so and so lists, with the same bits of trivia and anedotes. He's very knowledgeable and one of the few who can do a good comprehensive history of rock, but can he do anything else?
Wow, rock fans, esp indie rock snob types, are assholes. Go do something yourself, you record wankers.
Cross's rock history shows are great.
This guy makes a bazillion dollars off of what people like him decide is "nostalgic" and "alternative". Bella Lugosi is truly dead.
@ mdtoronto
Your main gripe seems to be with his financial success, which is a rather weak argument. Alan Cross is good at what he does. Get over it :)
I like him but thsoe Mac ads he did left a bad taste in my mouth
Jerrold, it ain't HIS personal financial success that gets my goat - its the notion of you supporting niche markets that are more about excluding than including, can you actually stomach this stuff, stop believing the hype dude!? Are you aware that radio stations made bigger profits on nostalgia than ever before last year. While stations regurgitate "oldies" and serve up "the history of rock" living and breathing musicians (yes, international artists too) whose records could have a place on the charts can't afford a visit to their dentist. Nostalgia is big business (The very healthy teeth of can-content mavens Our Lady Peace & Nickleback notwithstanding). Oh right, I'm an asshole - ya.
Do you honestly feel that contemporary artists are unfairly hurt by our continued interest in artists of the past? That's a bizarre take on art if I've ever heard one. I guess Classical music is the devil? Do you also have disdain for people who by prints of Van Gogh paintings and feel that today's painters are being unjustly affected by our desire to remember and admire great artists of the past?
Jerrold, my (too lengthy?) response to your last comment wasn't posted yesterday for some reason. In terms of niche market "nostalgia" yes, absolutely, new music/authors are squeezed out to clear the path for recycled oldies. Dead artists are a goldmine!
you're a clown