Don’t All Thank Me At Once
The Lost Pop Genius Of Scott Miller
Brett Milano
125 Books
This is a masterpiece, no other way to say it. I hope to do
this book justice because it is.
One of the best books I’ve read all year, to say the least.
Scott Miller never made a bad album. And that comes through
Milano’s book too, and I should add that Scott’s book Music: What Happened has
that same effect. And the stories
behind each album are fascinating, since their told by those who also loved
Scott, both as a musician and as a person.
And with Scott as a person, he’s great, but there wasn’t
just one side, the musical side, there was him as a person, what made him
human, and what made him wonderful.
My personal favorite of Scott’s albums is Lolita Nation, so a
little about it here, to give an example of what I’m talking about. My first impression of it was Sergeant
Pepper, for the way and lyrics made an indelible impression, but also that the
record was a blast from start to finish, and also made you think. For example,
“but when you know what it is you’re doing, then you despise it,,” a watchword
that will stay with you. The music
was guitar rock, “power pop,” doesn’t seem to fit, and the twin leads suited
the music., as did the big melodies, hooks and otherwise, that drove
everything. And not just Scott, Donnette Thayer’s contributions are essential
too, particularly “Look Away,” a favorite of mine period.
And all of what is written about here underscores the tragic
turn things took. Suicide is so
hard to write about, but it must be, as that’s the ending, and also the
starting point here. And as sad as it is, it’s also the right one, since it
informs everything that goes before Scott’s final act. He is missed so much, and on so many
levels, everyday.
This book is informative for newcomers, a tonic for Scott
fans, and a must read for music fans everywhere. Everything, sad and happy, is handled with much grace, and is one of the many reasons you
won’t be able to put this book down.
Andrea Weiss
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