Phonogram
I RULE THE NIGHT creator, @KevinColden enthusiastically lent me this book which I read on my flight to SXSW.
As a “I didn’t know it was part of a thing and just like music” fan of britpop, I got quite a few kicks out of all the references and musician appearances from the subgenre. Word of warning, the book is for music nerds and even I found myself wondering what the fuck or what fucking band the protagonist is ranting about.
It’s a book about this dood who is a Phonomancer which I basically, think is a magician that can caste spells around music. A weird concept, sure, but original and done with an style that made me surprised not to see a Vertigo logo on it. It’s an interesting enough concept that despite ignorance of the subject matter you’re intrigued to find out WTF the characters are talking about.
If you are not marginally into music scenes, breaking down or pontificating about songs in a way most artists other than Billy Corgan give fuck all about, this may not be your book. It is some serious judgmental music snob adventure so unless you’ve torn apart a band with words other than, “They just suck.” you may not enjoy it on the same level, but you will enjoy it. At least, when you’re not thinking that it’s all about music snobbery.
So while I sit here and comment on this book, looking at the other shared iTunes playlists on the hotel network, I wonder, what the hell is with women and ABBA?
