Comments (26)

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Oct 09, 2023Michael Colford rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
As merely a casual fan of Sonic Youth (big fan of Kool Thing ever since it was included in the Hal Hartley film, Simple Men), Kim Gordon's memoir was perfect for my recent reading list of female rockers' memoirs that Tracey Thorn's books…
Jan 07, 2023Obsolete rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Fun to read, a down to earth recounting of what the life of Kim Gordon is like, and has been. She has a surprising way for words, freely, naturally without thought. There clearly aren't so many out there like her. There is a clear sense…
Aug 15, 2022RodneyGrim rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This was everything I hoped it would be and a whole lot more. I was tearing up during parts. Sonic Youth were a huge part of my growing up over many decades and through my ten year marriage. Highly recommended. So many big names are…
Jan 14, 2022HPL_Michelle_N rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Confession: I am not a fan of Sonic Youth. Yes, I admit it: I was in my 20s during the 1990s and yet, although I understand their appeal and I quite like a few of their songs, for the most part I have no particular liking for them.…
Apr 23, 2020Kcom31 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Kim Gordon is one of the original riot grrls who came to prominence with the band Sonic Youth. Gordon writes of her formative years growing up in California and the art/experimental/noise rock scene in 1970’s-80’s New York that would…
Mar 04, 2020RoyalJellyIII rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Excellent read, really enjoyed it from start to finish. Talking bout the effects her brother had on her life was refreshingly honest.
Dec 07, 2018
This book gave excellent insight into not only the untold history of Sonic Youth but also the experience of being a woman in the music industry.
Jun 05, 2018PimaLib_ChristineR rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
This book has all the good, bad and ugly that previous reviewers have mentioned, but reading it so shortly after finishing Roxane Gay's Bad Feminist, I didn't find the philosophical ironies irritating, but more revealing and human. You can…
Mar 18, 2018HARFANGORIA rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Here's a compelling read about a truly fascinating life, from an unusual and sharp perspective. This includes Gordon's viewing her life choices in the context of her childhood and her socialization. She speaks well and in detail of her…
May 03, 2017
A memoir unlike any I've read before. Kim Gordon's choppy, yet descriptive, prose was surprisingly easy to read. And I was glad for it! Because who better than the kick-ass bass player from Sonic Youth to conjure up such a heady work about…
NeoRauch
Sep 20, 2016NeoRauch rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I enjoyed this memoir- I think it helps if you're a fan of Sonic Youth, but it's a well written memoir, as well as an interesting look at NYC in the 70's-80's.
Aug 07, 2016Raindancer rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I loved reading about Kim growing up in the sixties, traveling, infiltrating the NYC art scene, meeting Thurston Moore and Sonic Youth's formation. I liked her descriptions of NY in the 70s and 80s. But I was left still feeling like I…
Jul 17, 2016jannylegs rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Not your typical rock girl memoir, as Kim Gordon shows a lot of class in her interest in art and her desire to raise her daughter with some sense of normalcy. Too bad Thurston Moore turned out to be a douche bag.
Mar 20, 2016Jeffsuke rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
Interesting insight into the times when Sonic Youth were starting and "the scene" in which they incubated. I know Gordon is an intelligent woman but I found the book to be awash in self pity. If she finds any joy in her art it would be…
RemiRoussel
Jan 26, 2016RemiRoussel rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A little long to read, but a must if you are a fan of Sonic Youth.
Jan 02, 2016elsiecat rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
An excellent read. Gordon is intelligent and honest. She gives an engaging sketch of the underground music scene during the 1980s and 1990s. Also, an interesting account of her life as a visual artist and musician.
shoelace
Dec 16, 2015
So good!
Nov 24, 2015adasilva7 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Kim Gordon, especially as an artist and her experiences in the LA and New York art scenes during the mid to late 20th century.
Nov 23, 2015mewmewmew rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
If you're into Sonic Youth, definitely read this. If you're more of a casual fan, like me, its still worth a read but the background behind particular songs takes on less of an importance than it would to a true fan. Interesting to read…
Aug 25, 2015KMJ_ rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Kim Gordon is well-known for being a “Girl in a Band” but this memoir covers a lot more than just Kim’s time in Sonic Youth. Kim talks about her childhood spent in LA, Hawaii, and Hong Kong, and what it was like to grow up with a brother…
BFS73
Jul 10, 2015
I just read this book it was a good biography . I am a Sonic Youth fan and i like that Kim shares memories of Sonic Youth's history taking you till the end of the bands final show and also talks about some fellow muscians she was friends…
Jun 24, 2015multcolib_matt rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Part memoir, part rock and roll history, Kim Gordon offers an honest account of her life in and out of music. Is this book a detailed story about Sonic Youth? No. Is it the life(so far) of a rock and roll veteran whose journey deserves…
VernonofJohn
Jun 06, 2015VernonofJohn rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
A good portion of this book reads like an invoice or shopping list. The emotional and human element of Kim Gordon's story was watered down by the itemized account of her life. Unfortunately, it becomes obvious that Kim Gordon is lacking in…
manuelaleal
Jun 05, 2015manuelaleal rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Lovely read, the type of book you'll read in one sitting. This a very straight-forward, no-frills account of her life in the band and those they have encountered. She isn't a very compelling character in some ways (comes off as a bit cold…
Jun 04, 2015PimaLib_JenW rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Whether your a Sonic Youth fan or just a fan of feminism, this book is through-the-roof amazing!