Straight out of his beloved Twitter feed @RockCriticLaw, acclaimed rock
journalist and author of the classic books Come As You Are: The Story
of Nirvana and Our Band Could Be Your Life, Michael Azerrad turns his
trenchant eye to the art of rock writing itself, hilariously skewering
101 of the genre's seemingly endless litany of hackneyed phrases and
tropes.
One of the finest music writers today, Michael Azerrad has catalogued
the shortcuts, lazy metaphors and uninspired prose that so many of his
beloved colleagues all too regularly rely on to fill column inches. In
2014, he began his wickedly droll Twitter feed @RockCriticLaw to expose
and make fun of this word-hash. Now, he consolidates these "Laws" into
one witty, comprehensive and fully illustrated volume.
Rock Critic Law includes timeless gems such as:
- If a band pioneered something, you must say they are "seminal." That
is the Seminal Law of Rock Criticism.
- If a recording features densely layered guitars, then you MUST use the
phrase "sonic cathedrals."
- Even when it's easy to find out with research, by all means ask a band
how they got their name.
- Please feel free to deny an artist's individuality and say they are
"the new [x]."
- If two guitars play a melodic line in harmony, you MUST say they are
"twin lead guitars."
All 101 Rock Critic Laws are accompanied by original illustrations from
Ed Fotheringham, beloved Seattle scenester and highly regarded artist
who has created album covers for everyone from, well, seminal grunge
band Mudhoney to iconic jazz label Verve Records, as well as
illustrations for The Atlantic, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker and
more, making this book a must-have for music lovers everywhere. A unique
appreciation of music writing from one of its own, Rock Critic Law
irreverently captures all the passion and furor of fandom.
