Lester Bangs

Carl’s Rock Songbook #62: ALMOST FAMOUS, Pt. 4

by Carl Scott

Where we left ALMOST FAMOUS was with a question I say the film deliberately raises: How is a rock-writer like a groupie? 1)In the film, the rock-writer character is made very similar to them: William is “on the bus” and is underage. Yes, the latter fact is from Cameron Crowe’s life, . . . . Continue Reading »

Carl’s Rock Songbook #49: Simon Reynolds, Retromania

by Carl Scott

As a book on pop-music, Simon Reynolds’ Retromania: Pop Culture’s Addiction to Its Own Past earns a high B, but does not rate among my very favorites, being too beholden to Rock attitudes, and too long-winded for its own good. Some of its detail is welcome—I found Reynold’s . . . . Continue Reading »