Accidental Revolution: The Story of Grunge [Paperback]

Kyle Anderson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 10, 2007

Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Hole and Alice in Chains are the names that come to mind when we talk about grunge.  But never before has there been a complete history of grunge with razor-sharp critical analysis--until now. 
 
Grunge, a style of music that wed classic rock riffs with punk ethos, was the musical movement that defined the 90's and left an indelible mark on the music scene at large.   But how did this musical phenomenon emerge from the Seattle underground to become a universal beacon of despair for millions of restless kids around the globe, and why did it resonate with so many disenchanted outsiders?
 
Kyle Anderson answers these questions and more, examining the connection between grunge and punk, how Kurt Cobain's disdain for Axl Rose propelled Nirvana to instant success, the singer who officially killed off grunge with his trite lyrics and pseudo-grunge attitude and the band the ripped off Pearl Jam, made millions of dollars by selling out to the media and went on to become the most hated band ever.
 
Accidental Revolution is an essential guide to the triumphs and defeats of a musical revolution and its unforgettable icons.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The way Kyle Anderson writes about grunge mirrors how the music sounded in 1993: Humor within seriousness, heaviness within distortion, enthusiasm within detachment. This book will make you get on the snake."  -- Chuck Klosterman author of Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs

About the Author

KYLE ANDERSON is an Assistant Editor at Spin magazine.  He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition edition (July 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312358199
• ISBN-13: 978-0312358198
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,278,486 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Lousy, November 14, 2007

By 

N. Matlock "Weary" (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Accidental Revolution: The Story of Grunge (Paperback)

This may be the worst book about popular music that I have ever read. Anderson's near total lack of knowledge about the Seattle musical environment of the late 1980s and early 1990s is stunning, and it is a wonder that any publisher would allow this drivel to see the light of day. It is very clear that little or no original research was done for the writing of "Accidental Revolution."

Additionaly, the author utilizes the kind of smarmy, communications-major, writing style that many sanctimonious-yet-ignorant blabbermouths use to mask the fact that they do not have any insights. Sorry Anderson, cheesy "wink-wink, nudge-nudge" one-liners don't make you sound like an insider; they make you sound like a wannabe.

As far as specific content is concerned, the most egregious part of this book is the "great grunge discography" which includes albums from the Gin Blossoms, Buffalo Tom, Live, and (cough-cough) Everclear! It does not include anything from the Melvins, Skin Yard, or TAD. Need I say more?

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Poorly written; full of errors and lame cliches, September 1, 2007

By 

smith "galaxy" (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Accidental Revolution: The Story of Grunge (Paperback)

This book has no new information, original insights, or even interesting comments to make. It could have been written without hearing any music at all, using only published reviews. The author claims that what really happened doesn't matter 'only how it is remembered' so why bother with the truth?
Anyone who thinks Spin magazine is hip ought to try reading this book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, August 6, 2007

By 

Sam Green (Boise) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Accidental Revolution: The Story of Grunge (Paperback)

The author is intent on telling readers what grunge "means," instead of actually writing an engaging history of the grunge years...that Chuck Klosterman blurb on the cover should tip everyone off...

Will anyone associated with Spin since 2001 ever write a decent book?