They say you should write what you know, and again and again, Greg Prato has done just that. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Classic Rock Magazine, and he's just released his twelfth book, Overlooked/Underappreciated: 354 Records That Demand Your Attention, a loving look at 354 undervalued albums that have left an indelible impression on the author's mind.
Greg has an very comfortable conversational manner of writing, electing to go for the direct approach, as opposed to the pseudo-intellectual, 'I'm so clever and erudite' path that so many scribes choose to meander down. This is a fun, entertaining, and educational read that will well serve those who just want good information and a little direction.
You should own this book if only to hip yourself to the hundred, or so albums on the list that you may not own, or have not yet heard. It's a great quick reference guide that includes six sections on each release:
Discovery (How I came in contact with the artist/recording, and if I can recall where/when I obtained it.
Scrutiny (Review)
Similarity (Other artists that are comparable)
Keepers (The songs that sum up the album best)
Follow Up Listening (Other albums by the artist, or related artist that you should also give a gander)
Tidbit (An interesting fact)
Here's a great sample which just happens to be one of my personal favorites:
Alcatrazz - Disturbing the Peace [Capitol: March 22, 1985]
Discovery: Spotting an article about Alcatrazz in Hit Parader Magazine
circa '85, I was intrigued by how different the gents looked compared to
all the pretty boy hair metallists that hogged page space at the time
(namely, singer Graham Bonnet's cool James Dean meets Miami Vice
style being a break from the norm). I remarked about this band to a longtime
family friend/fellow heavy metal admirer, and he was kind enough
to relay the message to his mother, who gave me this on cassette as a
Christmas gift later that year (along with a copy of the paperback book,
Hammer of the Gods).
Scrutiny: While I was impressed with the album upon first listen (again,
it was - although I may not have realized it at the time - a nice break
from all the lame metal I was listening to), it wasn't until I entered a span
of being a major Steve Vai aficionado circa Dave Lee Roth's Eat 'Em
and Smile era that I really became enthralled with the album. After not
listening to the album for many years, I was interested in hearing it again
circa the early 21st century, and was able to track down an import CD of
the album via a friend. I was pleasantly surprised, as this album is one of
the few of the era that managed to merge melody and metal without
coming off forced, and was pretty original sounding for its time (if you
keep in mind what MTV/radio was airing/spinning). And as you'll learn
from some of the other albums I've picked for this book that also include
Bonnet on vocals, he is one of my fav '80s mainstream hard rock singers.
Similarity: Van Halen, Rainbow, Ozzy Osbourne
Keepers: "God Blessed Video," "Painted Lover," "Breaking the Heart
of the City"
Follow Up Listening: Down to Earth [Rainbow], Assault Attack
[Michael Schenker Group], Eat 'Em & Smile [David Lee Roth]
Tidbit: In a seven-year span (1979-1985), Bonnet worked with some of
the most renowned/respected guitarists in all of hard rock/heavy metal -
Ritchie Blackmore (in Rainbow), Michael Schenker (in MSG), plus
Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai (both in Alcatrazz).
Cheap Trick - Cheap Trick [1977]…………………………………...39
Chris Cornell - Euphoria Morning…………………………………..39
The Clash - Live at Bond's Casino…………………………………...40
Clockhammer - Klinefelter…………………………………………...41
Clutch - Elephant Riders……………………………………………...41
Corpse Grinders - Grind On…………………………………………42
The Cramps - Gravest Hits & Psychedelic Jungle………………….43
Crazy Horse - Crazy Horse…………………………………………...43
The Creation - Complete Collection 1: Making Time………………44
Crispin Hellion Glover - The Big Problem ≠ The Solution. The
Solution = Let It Be……………………………………………………45
Curt Kirkwood - Snow………………………………………………..45
Curtis Mayfield - Curtis/Live!..............................................................46
Overlooked/Underappreciated is one of those books that I'd recommend be on every rock lover's book shelf. There are scads of great reminders that will have you going back to your record collection to relive some great history, and it will open your eyes to avenues you've yet pursued. There's not a thing in the world wrong with quick, easy, and fun - and this book is definitely all of that.
For ordering info:
Paperback - http://amzn.com/1500328189
Kindle - http://amzn.com/B00LKUX1Z0
Kindle - http://amzn.com/B00LKUX1Z0
Other books by Greg Prato:
'A Devil on One Shoulder and an Angel on the Other: The Story of Shannon Hoon and Blind Melon'
'Touched by Magic: The Tommy Bolin Story'
'Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music'
'No Schlock . . . Just Rock!'
'The Eric Carr Story'
'MTV Ruled the World: The Early Years of Music Video'
'Too High to Die: Meet the Meat Puppets'
'The Faith No More & Mr. Bungle Companion'
'Overlooked/Underappreciated: 354 Recordings That Demand Your Attention'
'Touched by Magic: The Tommy Bolin Story'
'Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music'
'No Schlock . . . Just Rock!'
'The Eric Carr Story'
'MTV Ruled the World: The Early Years of Music Video'
'Too High to Die: Meet the Meat Puppets'
'The Faith No More & Mr. Bungle Companion'
'Overlooked/Underappreciated: 354 Recordings That Demand Your Attention'
SPORTS:
'Sack Exchange: The Definitive Oral History of the 1980s New York Jets'
'Dynasty: The Oral History of the New York Islanders, 1972-1984'
'Just Out of Reach: The 1980s New York Yankees'
'Sack Exchange: The Definitive Oral History of the 1980s New York Jets'
'Dynasty: The Oral History of the New York Islanders, 1972-1984'
'Just Out of Reach: The 1980s New York Yankees'
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