24. The Replacements: All Over but the Shouting

by Jim Walsh (267 pp.)

I grabbed this as soon as I finshed the Bob Mould book (#23). I liked the places where the books overlapped but overall I wasn't in love with this one. It's subtitled An Oral History and the entire book is snippets of stuff people said about the band including the band members. So instead of being a straight narrative it jumps and starts, sometimes repeating, sometimes random bits that just went on too long. Now I'm going to have to get my Replacements catalog out and listen to that. Here's a favorite quote from the book by Tommy Stinson: Boy, if "Aqualung" is a classic, then "I'll Be You" is history.

23. Bob Mould: See A Little Light

by Bob Mould (385 pp.)

I have been a fan of Bob Mould since New Day Rising which I still own on vinyl. I don't own his complete catalog but pretty close. Reading this inspires me to pull out everything that I have and listen to it in order. Needless to say, as a fan, I loved this book. It's the story of his life and career. I particularly loved the early years stuff with Hüsker Dü and the Minneapolis scene and rivalry with The Replacements. (which is another of my all time favorite bands). What I admire about him is the same thing I admire about Patti Smith. They are true to their own artistic vision - they never try to be anything but themselves. I've had a Replacements bio on my shelf and I'm reading that now.