Dispatches From the Kingdom of Outsiders

The work of outspoken music critic Tim Sommer collected in this anthology explores how left-of-the-dial rock in the '80s turned a generation of awkward loners into a cultural community.Sommer recalls his precocious emergence as a teenaged journalist, marvels at many amazing Zelig-like experiences in his life, mounts controversial arguments about a number of well-known artists, connects music and politics in surprising ways and reflects on a handful artists whose deaths strongly affected him.Grouped into seven themed sections, the pieces, which originally appeared in a variety of publications between 1979 and the present, amply display Sommer's broad curiosity and many enthusiasms. Subjects range from U2 and R.E.M. to the Beatles and Taylor Swift, Bob Dylan to Frank Sinatra and Bruce Springsteen. The writing is fervent, smart and provocative, filled with unique insights and personal memories.Sample chapter titles: I Was Almost a Temporary Beastie BoyMeet the Beatles' First Left-Handed BassistWhat Was the First Punk Rock Record?Weezer's cover of Toto's "Africa" Is the Most Repugnant Pop Recording of All TimeHow Kent State Helped Create the Template for American Indie RockWith its diverse collection of subjects and entertaining opinions, this colorful, rollicking collection of writing will appeal to a wide variety of music fans.