We Oughta Know

Fierce, feminist, and fiesty as hell! As a certified 10 things I Hate About you fan who loves the bands and artists in this book, I devoured every page. I am definitely grabbing some copies for other music nerds in my life!

Warner shines a light on a seminal point in music history with a clear eyed industrial - and self - reflection that both touched me deeply and encouraged me to look more at how today's reigning female pop stars have benefitted from this era (word choice HIGHLY intentional). It made me long to revisit many of the spotlighted artists' catalogs...and then to listen for their influence in so many artists who have powerfully emerged in the years since.

To say that, as a teen, I was musically promiscuous would be an understatement.

I loved musical theatre (don’t judge me) and Christian Rock (okay, judge me a little) and Great Big Sea, and The Wailing Aztecs, (I *may* have taught myself broken ASL for Take Me to the River) a folk trio from The Sault that I can find NO WHERE online.

But my whole shriveled heart belonged, in equal parts, to Alanis, Sarah, and Jann.

This book – that feels both super-niche yet universal – feeds that shriveled heart.

The author has a way better musical palate than I (much like wine, I can only tell you what I like – what doesn’t make my face squinch up – not why) and it was fascinating to hear her talk about these artists in a technical way, as well as emotional.

I loved the bits of old reviews and articles, her personal anecdotes, her stellar audio narration, and the inclusive, intersection music suggestions.

I thought my TBR was long.

Ruh-roh, Shaggy.

Thanks to Andrea Warner and ECW Press for a book that is now part of my DNA.