I read about this book in a few of my monthly issues of Alternative Press magazine. Leslie Simon is the managing editor at A.P, so naturally, it seemed like a good outlet to plug the book. At first, when I saw these shameless plugs, I was turned off, but the more I read about this book, the more interested I became. I mean, how could you go wrong with one of the coolest people in music journalism, and one of my personal heroes (Leslie Simon) teaming up with a contributor to AP, Spin, NME and Harp (Trevor Kelley). I bought the book with a twinge of an embarrassment, because I had to ask someone to look it up for me. It just didn't feel right going up to the customer service desk at Barnes and Noble and asking for “Everybody Hurts”. It sounds like a sad, self-help book. Once I got past that, I went home and read it. The whole thing. In one sitting. I couldn’t stop except for an occasional bowl of cereal. From beginning to end, I caught myself smiling and thinking, “That is so true!”. Everybody Hurts hits every part of the current emo culture, from ideology (with a complete emo timeline) to clothing to must see emo movies. You can also read about essential emo heroes such as Chris Carrabba, Wes Anderson, Chuck Klosterman, Edward Scissorhands and of course, John Cusack.
One of my favorite features was the “Different Schools of Thought” where I could find out what kind of emo I am. According to my i-Pod selection, I am an Alt-Country Emo, and my 18 year old brother is a Machismo Emo. Or would he be called a Machemo? I also thoroughly enjoyed the “Notable Emo Clubs and Record Stores” if I ever move to another state (fingers crossed) or go on a road trip, I know exactly where to go. And it’s always nice to see Minnesota mentioned in any sort of print (thank God for the Triple Rock).
I could have done with out the Emo Prom King and Queen. Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman were voted into these punk rock princess and garage band king rolls, and I don’t really understand why. Granted this portion only took up about 3 pages, but still, why? Other than the obvious reasons; Jake Gyllenhaal was in Donnie Darko and Natalie Portman was in Garden State, both certified emo flicks, what makes them emo? I guess I can understand the Natalie Portman choice, with the V for Vendetta, her choice to go to school instead of Hollywood and the hilarious SNL hip-hop sketch where she told Seth Myers to “suck my dick”. But Jake Gyllenhaal? Come on! What about the ever-so-emo John Cusack? Even though he’s into his forties, he has a history. What about Johnny Depp, or Zach Braff?
Other than that one little slip, this book was perfect. It had great visuals, a great playlist and right on target observations of the emo culture. It’s definitely going to be a book I’ll read again.
**** out of *****
(photo courtesy of barnes and noble.com)
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