Customer Reviews

Slam

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this book hoping for a wonderful, enlightening, lively poetic slam between various poets or at least a free-flowing verse extravaganza. What I got was bad teen angst poetry.

The book begins with the history of the poetry slam. (Which is an intense poetic competition) Well, most of the poets out there already know what a slam is, but this seemed quaint at the time. Then came the poems. Possibly written by groundsquirrels, most of the words come off as desperate attempts to make it rhyme, or (even worse) bad writing dressed up with big words.

The only poem with any meaning whatsoever is "She Bites Her Tongue" located in the middle of the book. The rest of this is just... ugh.

I'll give this book two stars: one for the excellent lay-out (the pictures and the quotes and the basic way the book is presented), and another one for the poems that were done by seasoned poets. The rest of the poetry that was published in this anthology is by teens and it is HOR-EN-DOUS! HORRIBLE! This is definitely a good one for, like, 10-16 year olds, but even so, not if you really are a serious poet and, at least, know what poetry is all about.

Of all the classic and modern poetry I've read doesn't compare to this book of contemporary poetry. It is completely different in it's expression of emotions, thoughts and words. One slam poet sees it if one didn't express themselves in writing, they would express it in songs or poems.
This book of slam poetry, a "traditional" relevant, now scene art with soul is like no other poetry as it is part of you. How you feel. How you express yourself. By the life you live. How you see it. How you breathe it. That opens you up inside and examines how we all tick. Saying it better in the words of Michelangelo, "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." If I were to recommend a book of poems to make you feel good, I would recommend this book.
Not only is this little book a big inspiration to write and look at life at a whole new prospective. It is a book that will follow you wherever you go. It has great writing tips throughout. A big plus, some tidbits of the modern artistic gurus that shape every part of our everyday life, and help shape your own world. Such names like Tori Amos, Maya Angelou, Emily Dickinson, W. H. Auden (who believed in the notion of poetry as a therapy similar to psychoanalysis), Cibo Matto, Bob Dylan, Allen Ginsberg, Aimee Mann, Frank O'Hara, Jimi Hendrix , Hole, John Lennon, J. D. Salinger, Walt Whitman, Dylan Thomas, Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20) and much more explode from the pages as you pick up the fragments and run with it. It's that good!

In my whole life I've never brought a book on Poetry, but when I saw this in Waldenbooks and looked over the inside of it and read a few poems and I was entertained. So I bought it and I wasn't dissapointed. All the poems are wonderful and are in a vast variety, the quotes and lyrics from singers or rappers are inspirational. To tell the truth yes I do write poetry myself but none of it has ever been this good. I loved the wole layout of the book with the pictures and fonts! If alloy ever comes out with another poetry book I'll definatly buy it!

For anyone who thinks poetry is nothing but repetition and tradition, I recommend a heavy dose of this book. It's packed full of inspirational song lyrics, quotes, and poems from teen poets, slam poets, and poets of long before (yes they aren't so bad). Order this book right up! It's well worth the money!

This is an amazing mix of classic stuff, new slamming poems and wonderful insights from slam stars. I also loved the poems by the Alloy members, most which were deep and beautiful. I'd read this book a little at a time, there's so much good writing to absorb. There's great use of quotes and song lyrics blended into the pages with the poems. A lot of poetry books tend to be low-keyed, dry collections, but this book is a treat for the eyes as well as for the soul.

This has got to be the best teen poetry book out there! Most I find boring and repetative, but this is like nothening I've ever read before.The poems differ so much from one another it's in possible to be bored with it. It includes pictures and Shakespearian sonnets right next to Beastie Boys lyrics, it's a total blast! I highly recommend this to anyone of all ages who loves new and upbeat poems. Plus it's got a great intro by Tori Amos!

OMG!!If you are a big fan of teen-age angst poetry or just teen poetry and general this is the book for you! I think that this book is so amazing and even though I don't own it yet (I checked it out of the library for like 3 months) I recomend it to every teenager or tween out there!

This is a great book for people, especially teenagers, who have been stuck in classrooms listening to teachers drone on about rhyming and iambic pentameter all of their lives. I don't know if it's the greatest "slam" book of all time, but it is a great introduction to the general type of poetry. The book is very inspirational to me, and I like how quotes and song lyrics are added to the sides of the page, making each page totally interesting. It inspired me to do one of the few school projects I've ever enjoyed, a difficult poetry project on William Carlos Williams. A few months after purchasing this I got "Bum Rush The Page", another poetry book I really enjoy. Overall, it's a great book for any teen to have, filled with our everyday emotions but also teaching us something about poetry that English class doesn't seem to want us to know.

Whatever age you are, introduce yourself to poetry thru this book aimed at young adults. This was my first introduction into slam poetry, and I found it to be a wonderful beginning. Poems from teens and young adults are side by side with old Masters and Moderns. It's VERY accessible, and one of the most absolutely entertaining reads for any age. Buy one for the family and get into poetry thru the swinging door of Slam.