Book Reviews

Michael Jackson’s Dangerous (33 1/3)

Susan Fast

Bloomsbury Academic

Street: 09.25

With releases starting in 2003, 33 1/3 books are basically extended liner notes for some of the greatest albums in pop and rock history. More often than not, the work covered in these books is an artist or band’s most critically acclaimed efforts (Kid A, Achtung Baby, Illmatic). That’s why Michael Jackson’s 1991 release, Dangerous, seemed, to me, to be such an odd choice. But author Susan Fast claims, fairly convincingly, that the critics got it wrong on Dangerous and that it was Jackson’s best work. Fast argues that Jackson’s fourth full-length solo effort (and first to be completely produced by him) was a picture of a child star finally coming to grips with his sexual self, his race and adulthood, bluntly taking on a number of incredibly taboo subjects, especially for a “pop star.” Though a few of Fast’s points come off as more conspiracy theory than sound reasoning, for the fair majority of the book, her writing is concise, informative and at least seemingly accurate. Her passion for Jackson and this album bleeds off the page, and it makes the whole book that much more engaging. –Blake Leszczynski

Next Testament Vol. 1

Clive Barker, Mark Miller

Illustrated by: Haemi Jang

Boom! Studios

Street: 05.13

Clive Barker has been telling supernatural horror stories on the silver screen for years, but just recently transitioned to comics, bringing his unique and deranged worldview with him. Next Testament, a story co-written by Barker and Mark Miller (no, not that one), is about what happens when a vengeful God comes back to tell the world what they got wrong with the Bible. The first volume acts as an introduction, and Miller and Barker do a pretty good job of setting everything up just to tear it down in grand, horrific fashion. Some of the dialogue is a bit stilted, and it feels a little like the whole book is an elaborate pitch to convince some studio to fund the movie adaptation, but it’s still entertaining. Haemi Jang is a great artist, and the visuals more than make up for some of the lackluster relationship/father–issue subplots. It’s not game-changing, but it’s a pretty great start for a couple of writers with very little comic experience under their belts. –Trevor Hale

The Punk Rock Las Vegas Survival Guide: Beer, Bowling and Debauchery Las Vegas Style

Bod Oedy

Union Organizer Press

Street: 04.02

I have been to Las Vegas for Punk Rock Bowling many times and I have somehow managed to survive the hedonistic temptations of the bright lights and cheap thrills. Luckily for the uninitiated into this wonderland, Bob Oedy (The Grim) provides an informative field guide on these ins and outs of a punk-rock filled weekend. This detailed book includes (but isn’t limited to) advice on where to stay, how to avoid a hangover and whether or not it is a good idea to go with your ex. In addition to these tips, Oedy interviews the two who started it all, Mark and Shawn Stern, who provide readers with Punk Rock Bowling’s origins as a punk-inspired bowling tournament and how it transformed into the festival it is today. It’s definitely a light read that is well researched and somewhat fun. If you want a guide on how to survive an insane weekend, this is the book for you—or you could just wing it. Viva. –Nick Kuzmack