Wish You Were Here

January 26, 2009
Simon, coauthor of the emo culture guide Everybody Hurts
and an editor at buzznet.com, set out to write an ethnography of sorts about the “most cherished music scenes” in the country. It’s a promise only partly delivered. The selection of indie music–centric cities is spot-on, ranging from the obvious (Washington, D.C.; Seattle; Twin Cities) to the much less so (suburban Florida). In each section, Simon delivers a capsule “Music Primer” on that scene’s history, what kind of bands populated it, during what time period and what happened to them. Other sections include essential album guides and a helpful “Mapping Out” list that includes travel guide–like notations on local scenester hangouts and record shops. There’s helpful information, to be sure, but it’s all a bit too slight, made cuter with ink illustrations by Dobi. Simon’s text is knowledgeable, and when she actually talks about the music itself the book serves as a helpful jumping-off point for readers looking to learn more. But all too often she resorts to unfunny snark-sniping about categories of scenesters or celebrity rockers. There is too little information here for those who actually know something about the subject and insider-overload for those who don’t.

March 1, 2009
Simon and Kelley (coauthors, "Everybody Hurts: An Essential Guide to Emo Culture") provide postcardlike snapshots of alternative, punk, emo, hard-core, straight-edge, and other music scenes in diverse locations such as New York, L.A., Seattle, and Lawrence, KS. Simon's descriptions, assessments, and guide to styles, clubs, and record companies are quite brief and written in the language of the scenes themselves; this is a self-described ethnography, filled with irreverent humor. Readers who are part of one of these scenes and fans of a particular genre who will be visiting one of the locales will find this a quick and useful read. Those who aren't won't get it: Simon presupposes an intimacy with the music and associated lifestyles. Her book gives an entertaining glimpse at nonmainstream music of today and the recent past. Because it's so focused on contemporary pop culture, it could become obsolete fairly quickly, but the price is forgiving. Contains some strong language. Recommended for all public libraries and academic pop culture collections.James E. Perone, Mount Union Coll., Alliance, OH

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