In our weekend reading: David Keenan and Stephen Pastel in conversation, notable upcoming books, and more.
An Essential Musical History Gets a Grand New Edition: On “England’s Hidden Reverse”
When reading a book about music, it’s generally a good sign when I find myself jotting down notes on artists to check out and albums to buy. In the case of David Keenan’s England’s Hidden Reverse: A Secret History of the Esoteric Underground, recently reissued by Strange Attractor Press, it’s not spoiling much by saying that I was reading it with several tabs open: to AllMusic and Bandcamp and Bull Moose Music and Forced Exposure, eyeing reissue editions and complete discographies and obscure side projects. It’s that kind of a book, told with both rigor and enthusiasm, and making for a compelling read.
Morning Bites: Halldór Laxness Revisited, 5 Under 35, Achy Obejas’s Poetry, and More
In our morning reading: exploring the work of Halldor Laxness, an excerpt from Nghi Vo’s new novel, and more.