33 1/3 Music Book Series

Masked Terror #1 · Post by **Masked Terror #1** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:05 pm

Not sure if we've ever had a thread about this, but I don't remember one.

Guess this series has been around for a minute, but I just heard of it.

Basically, it's a series of 100 page or so books completely dedicated to a landmark album. Some of them are detailed making ofs, with tons of interviews with all the folks involved. Some are more critical/literary meditations on the musical and cultural significance of the album. Shit, the Master of Reality one is a work of fiction about a locked up kid who is obsessed with the album.

I read the Master of Reality one and the Paul's Boutique one already. Endtroducing, Use Your Illusion and Reign in Blood are up next.

One thing that's cool is that the books are small enough to fit in your back pocket and are perfect for reading on the train or while you're waiting for something/someone.

Here's a list of all the ones they've done so far- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/33%E2%85%93

Anyone else check any of these out?

drizzle · Post by **drizzle** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:36 pm

i've flipped through a few, they read really easy and fast. definitely a good way to kill time

GM Dizzy Skillespie · Post by **GM Dizzy Skillespie** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:30 pm

I need to pick up some of these, I definitely have known about it for a few years now, but never read one.

fuck it, I want to write one!

mike eagle · Post by **mike eagle** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:49 pm

The Midnight Maruaders one sucked balls

Masked Terror #1 · Post by **Masked Terror #1** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:53 pm

According to this- http://33third.blogspot.com they're accepting proposals for the next round of commissions on these in October. Get a pitch together.

What album would you do?

Someone needs to do Age Of Quarrel, Damaged, Walk Among Us and Bad Brains.

A shame that the Master of Puppets one hasn't seen the light of day yet.

Shit, Leviathan might even warrant one at this point.

GM Dizzy Skillespie · Post by **GM Dizzy Skillespie** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:34 pm

Masked Terror #1 wrote:According to this- http://33third.blogspot.com they're accepting proposals for the next round of commissions on these in October. Get a pitch together.

What album would you do?

that's always kind of been the setback for me.
I love these classics they cover, but I do not have a kindred connection to them that would inspire me to write an entire book about it.

I plan on reading a few first and seeing how others have done it before I propose something.
when I first got the itch to do one though I was bumping "Death Certificate" real hard and thought it needed to be in the series.

word to a Damaged book.

Masked Terror #1 · Post by **Masked Terror #1** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:42 pm

They are sorely lacking in the West Coast hip hop department.

Death Certificate, Amerikka's Most Wanted, Straight Outta Compton, Niggaz4Life or The Chronic would all be strong additions.

drizzle · Post by **drizzle** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:21 pm

surprised they don't have superfly, i'd do that

GM Dizzy Skillespie · Post by **GM Dizzy Skillespie** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:27 pm

Masked Terror #1 wrote:They are sorely lacking in the West Coast hip hop department.

Death Certificate, Amerikka's Most Wanted, Straight Outta Compton, Niggaz4Life or The Chronic would all be strong additions.

or even No One Can Do It Better

uh zip zoom · Post by **uh zip zoom** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:19 pm

Masked Terror #1 wrote:Master of Reality

reading this right now because it was written by john darnielle. the man is brilliant. as a strange contrast to his own music, he almost solely writes about metal. if you're a fan of the writing, check out his blog at lastplanetojakarta.com

Dunnnnleavy · Post by **Dunnnnleavy** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 12:36 am

wouldnt writing one for an east coast 90s hiphop album be right up Paragraph P's alley? surely he could whip one up for "De La Soul Is Dead" or "The Infamous" in 45 minutes. (it's essentially what he does for ohword.com)

Masked Terror #1 · Post by **Masked Terror #1** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:19 am

uh zip zoom wrote:lastplanetojakarta.com

Nice.

Y@k Bollocks · Post by **Y@k Bollocks** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:09 am

Apparently the guy from the Mountain Goats (John Darnell? or something) is writing a 'Master of Reality' one.

Started reading the 'Loveless' one and it was boring - never finished it.

I'd like to read a 'Cuban Linx' one.

Y@k Bollocks · Post by **Y@k Bollocks** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 5:37 am

Y@k Bollocks wrote:Apparently the guy from the Mountain Goats (John Darnell? or something) is writing a 'Master of Reality' one.

Started reading the 'Loveless' one and it was boring - never finished it.

I'd like to read a 'Cuban Linx' one.

Didn't read the thread properly. How is the 'Master of Reality' book?

Career Over Like Mike(NJJ) · Wed Jun 18, 2008 8:23 am

I really need to check the Paul's Boutique one out.

Masked Terror #1 · Post by **Masked Terror #1** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:20 am

Yeah, the Paul's Boutique one is really dope.

Even if you're already familiar with all the key players and the basic story of how it all went down, the level of detail included and the fluid breakdown of the chronology make it a great read.

Master of Reality one is really good, but is not so much about the album as it is to one troubled kid's relationship to the album, which is something I know a lot of Sabbath fan's can relate to. A cool, unique approach to an installment in this series.

Website · Post by **Random Sample** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:25 am

I read the DJ Shadow one for Entroducing. it was pretty good. I would like to check out the Paul's Boutique one.

ALASKA · Post by **ALASKA** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 12:13 pm

upcoming releases im looking forward to

Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) by S.H. Fernando, Jr., on the album by Wu-Tang Clan (1993)

It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back by Christopher R. Weingarten, on the album by Public Enemy (1988)

Illmatic by Matthew Gasteier, on the album by Nas (1994)

XO by Matthew LeMay, on the album by Elliott Smith (1998)

Aquemini by Nick Weidenfeld and Michael Schmelling, on the album by Outkast (1998)

Reggie · Post by **Reggie** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 12:48 pm

Hey, I know the Managing Editor for these books! I am so cool.

Masked Terror #1 · Post by **Masked Terror #1** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:38 pm

Ask him/her what's up with the Master of Puppets one.

wheels · Post by **wheels** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 3:07 pm

Masked Terror #1 wrote:According to this- http://33third.blogspot.com they're accepting proposals for the next round of commissions on these in October. Get a pitch together.

What album would you do?

Kid A, obviously.

Career Over Like Mike(NJJ) · Wed Jun 18, 2008 3:49 pm

Since this is both a Masked Terror thread and a thread about music books i've gotta mention this :

Picked it up but i've still not had time to read it yet. The few bits i have skimmed have been great, though, and i'm assurred it's an amazing read by a couple of friends.

Anybody here read it yet? M.T? 'Gripp? Bombz?

Thun · Post by **Thun** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:18 pm

I'm drafting a proposal for Brand Nubian One For All in case anyone cares.

ackbar · Post by **ackbar** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:23 pm

I Drive A Lexus wrote:Since this is both a Masked Terror thread and a thread about music books i've gotta mention this :

Picked it up but i've still not had time to read it yet. The few bits i have skimmed have been great, though, and i'm assurred it's an amazing read by a couple of friends.

Anybody here read it yet? M.T? 'Gripp? Bombz?

they interview him about the book in the latest (i think?) issue of vice.. sounds good

cascarrabias · Post by **cascarrabias** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:38 pm

How have I never heard of these? I am buying Master Of Reality and Reign In Blood right now.

Masked Terror #1 · Post by **Masked Terror #1** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:46 pm

Read the John Joseph manuscript a couple years ago.

Assuming the final version is similar, it's an awesome book. It's just as much, if not more, about growing up on the street, in and out of institutions, foster homes, etc. in NYC back in the day as it is about the Cro-Mags/hardcore.

Definitely some raw shit.

Steezel Weezel · Post by **Steezel Weezel** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 5:23 pm

Most of the ones I've picked up have sucked. However, the Master Of Reality one didn't feel like a waste of time. I liked it.

varick pyr · Post by **varick pyr** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 3:58 pm

say word, tryin to check out the Joy Division and Neutral Milk Hotel ones.

33 1/3 Music Book Series

33 1/3 Music Book Series

Re: 33 1/3 Music Book Series

Re: 33 1/3 Music Book Series