I remember discovering the 33 1/3 book series years ago and how thrilled I was. If you haven’t read any of the books to date, each one focuses on an individual album. It all started with Dusty In Memphis and the series has covered everyone from ABBA to Public Enemy. What makes each one so interesting is how the writer approaches the album. Some focus on the most minute details of the recording process while others explain how the album fits into the larger context of popular culture. For music fans, it’s a wonderful series!
As a fan of the series and a writer who has been turned down by the editors, I was beyond thrilled to hear that music writer Annie Zaleski was publishing a book on Duran Duran’s Rio. I know the amount of work that goes into the proposal and how much competition there is. Plus, the series has always focused on albums that are generally regarded as seminal on some level and while the likes of Blondie and Talking Heads have been included in the series, there hasn’t been a book on any of the bands that really exploded into popular culture via MTV. Seeing Duran Duran on the shelf next to Joy Division and Nirvana feels like a little validation for my musical taste.
Annie Zaleski was kind enough to join me over at Encores Club to discuss the book in great detail so grab a cup of coffee and have a listen. You can pre-order the book NOW from your favorite indie bookstore or head over to Bloomsbury and order the whole series! Personal recommendations: Blondie, Talking Heads, Gang of Four, Hole, Liz Phair, Dusty Springfield, Low, and My Bloody Valentine but really, they have all been wonderful. Happy reading!