Kill Your Idols

"Kill Your Idols" subtitled "a new generation of rock writers reconsiders the classics" attempts to convince the reader that rock 'n' roll discs from "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" to Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" are overrated.

Discs by The Doors, Pink Floyd, The Eagles, Radiohead and U2 are also trashed. Hey, no real argument from me - I don't own any of those classic discs. Captain Beefheart's "Trout Mask Replica" and The Beach Boy's "Pet Sounds"? Nope, neither of those although I was conned by a Rolling Stone critic's poll to pick up "Trout Mask Replica" years ago and what did I care about the Beach Boys and surfing growing up on the polluted shores of Lake Erie? But don't worry, everyone will find a favorite disc or two or more of theirs on this list. My personal picks for the most ridiculous selections included for deconstruction are:

The Who/Tommy
The Byrds/Sweethearts of the Rodeo
Derek and the Dominos/Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
Led Zeppelin/Untitled (IV)
Neil Young/Harvest
The Rolling Stones/Exile On Main Street
Lynyrd Skynyrd/pronounced Leh-nerd Ski-nerd
Gram Parsons GP/Grievous Angel
Bob Dylan/Blood on the Tracks
Bob Marley and the Wailers/Exodus
The Sex Pistols/Never Mind the Bollocks
Bruce Springsteen/Born to Run
Wilco/Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

The obvious premise of the book is to get a rise out of readers so it is impossible to get too excited by these gun-for-hire negative reviews. Each writer's bibliography also lists their "10 essential discs". Most discs that are declared "overrated" by one writer are included on several other critic's must have "10 essential discs" list. Demonstrating, as everyone knows, an opinion is like an appendix, everyone has one, unless of course they have had an appendectomy. Which artists put out essential discs in the brilliant analytical minds of the best of the best of this "new generation of rock writers"? Morrissey! Steely Dan!! Oasis!!! Queen!!!! Pet Shop Boys!!!!!

I'm thinking of writing a book myself: "Kill Their Billy Idols".