Stale Book Review #49: Nine Inch Nails

Bobcat books presents the story of Nine Inch Nails by Tommy Udo

Cost: $0.75US

Page Count: 256

Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails deserved a much better book than the short unauthorized biography cobbled together by Tommy Udo.

Without question, Nine Inch Nails changed the musical landscape when they (he) released the album Pretty Hate Machine in 1989. Sure, bands like Skinny Puppy and Ministry were creating albums in the same vein around the same time.  However, Pretty Hate Machine took the gristle of those bands, polished them up, and made "industrial music" safe and palatable to the masses.

Over the years, Reznor has continued to churn out classic albums his own way and with a certain amount of musical integrity.  Basically, Trent Reznor has created a beast that is held in the highest regard of rock and roll.

The Story Of Nine Inch Nails fails to build up to this level.  Very little of the book is new or revelatory. If anyone has read articles (or even fucking Wikipedia) about the band, they would have a pretty firm grasp of what the band's history is or what they are all about.

It's no wonder this book is Unauthorized.  There's no way in hell that Reznor would sign on for this...basically a book version of Behind the Music.

One striking thing about this book:  Udo spends sooooo much time during the period of The Fragile. For the life of me, I cannot figure out why.  Maybe it's the author's favorite NIN album?  Maybe he wrote the book during the time of release of the album?  Fuck...I just don't know.  Couldn't figure it out during reading and still cannot now.

Anyway, in a nutshell:  If you are not aware of Nine Inch Nails AT ALL, then maybe this book will be good for you.  Because if you aren't familiar with the band then I'm sure it would be a fun read under the rock you currently live under.  However, if you are at least vaguely familiar with the band then it would be best to skip it.

Stale Book Review #48: Petty

Petty by Warren Zanes

Cost: $6.00US

Page Count: 337

I pretty much never hide the fact that Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have been the soundtrack to my life.  Therefore, I do believe that they are one of America's greatest rock and roll bands.  Hall of famers, millions of records sold, millions of dollars made, and brilliant musicians on every single instrument. Doesn't hurt that all members are mostly from my home state of Florida.

Whenever something new is released about Tom Petty, I tried to read or view it.  At this point, I am not sure why.  There has been such a breadth of reporting on this man and his band that anything new written rarely reveals anything new.  That is really the reason I wanted to include this book in the Stale Reviews blog.  Warren Zanes, the author, has actually gotten Petty to open up about some things that I have not read before.  So, I have got to give the writer credit here.

ONE:  Zanes, somehow, got Tom Petty to open up about the period where he lived in a little shack and shut himself up from the world.  During this time, Tom was fighting with drug use...something in which I had not read about before.  Sure, Tom Petty has consistently talked about marijuana use throughout his career.  He's even discussed his dalliances with cocaine.  But, to my memory, Petty has never discussed his use of the harder stuff.  It was interesting and I am glad he was able to open up about it.

TWO:  Bugs.  Tom Petty's longtime roadie and confidant, Bugs, was finally given his credit and he also opened up in Petty.  Bugs has famously been against taking part in any interviews.  It was refreshing to read what a major player in Heartbreaker history had to say.

In all, I would say that Warren Zanes's Petty is a worthwhile read.  Of course, I am biased.

Pick it up...Tom Petty rocks.