The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
nealalex's review
4.0
Bill Drummond probably wouldn’t mind the assertion that his music (KLF etc) was rubbish but what mattered was the way he did it. Here we have an assortment of memories from managing Echo and the Bunnymen in Liverpool to being a regular at a Buckinghamshire public library, via a slew of imaginary bands, and what would be recognised as installations and performance art if they’d been done by someone interested in presenting them as such.
On the contemporary art scene: “Very little of this discussion promotes what is essentially important about contemporary art. What gets promoted is fame, names to know, behind-the-scenes movers and shakers and, of course, prices. But worse than all this is that contemporary art is made safe, unchallenging, boxed off, neutered and summarised. This prevents it from performing its most vital function: helping us to see, feel, understand, celebrate, challenge and wonder at the world we are living in right now, in ways never before known.”
On the contemporary art scene: “Very little of this discussion promotes what is essentially important about contemporary art. What gets promoted is fame, names to know, behind-the-scenes movers and shakers and, of course, prices. But worse than all this is that contemporary art is made safe, unchallenging, boxed off, neutered and summarised. This prevents it from performing its most vital function: helping us to see, feel, understand, celebrate, challenge and wonder at the world we are living in right now, in ways never before known.”
dustymantle's review
5.0
I learned the virtues of Richard Long, looking at signs, going to Scandinavia, shopping-centre cafes, and growing old.
thebobsphere's review
4.0
I read this one after Julian Cope's autobiography Head On/ Repossessed.
Whether you think he is a tosser or not, Bill Drummond has always thought of ways to trick the public. Take for instance his stunts as THE KLF - not to mention his impact on the music industry: Inventing Chill Out, Bizzarre promo tricks which can't be emulated and introducing Echo and The Bunnymen and The Teardrop Explodes to the world.
It's all documented here and in short bite sized chapters. At times the premise wears thin, just how many times are we going to read about his pranks, but it's a fun bio.
Whether you think he is a tosser or not, Bill Drummond has always thought of ways to trick the public. Take for instance his stunts as THE KLF - not to mention his impact on the music industry: Inventing Chill Out, Bizzarre promo tricks which can't be emulated and introducing Echo and The Bunnymen and The Teardrop Explodes to the world.
It's all documented here and in short bite sized chapters. At times the premise wears thin, just how many times are we going to read about his pranks, but it's a fun bio.
d0kk's review
5.0
fantastic reminiscence and meditation on the pop music industry... nostalgic, touching and sweetly sympathetic. largely irrelevant while exhibiting much style and flair - just like the man himself
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