From
the reviews É
ThereÕs material
in the bookÕs pages that obviously wonÕt delight the participants, but itÕs
testament to their attitude and confidence in the author that weÕre not
presented with a santised version of the story. What emerges is an engaging
book about people politics and pop that will stand as one of the yardsticks by
which writing about popular music in Australasia will be measured for years to
come.
– Stuart Coupe, Australian Book Review
Bourke talks with
all the major players and is capable of drawing both heartfelt sincerity and
pointed cynicism from his subjects É The ups and downs of recording,
international touring and major label screw-ups are examined in great detail,
and interesting anecdotes about the recording process with Mitchell Froom and,
later, Youth are related with both humour and horror.
– Eno, POPsided, USA
Anyone seeking to
have a globe-conquering career in pop music would be well advised to have a
read of this book.
– Nigel
Lawrence, Db, Adelaide
Something So
Strong is definitive,
amusing, brutally honest, and a stark reminder of just how special Crowded
House were.
– Peter
Holder, Daily Telegraph,
Sydney
Any musicians or
music lovers of all genres would be fascinated by the intricacies that the
public never see, and the kind of dedication, vision and thick skin that you
need to survive in the fickle industry of entertainment.
– Jayd, 3D
World, Sydney
A strong and
satisfyingly detailed portrait of a band travelling the world recording,
performing and promoting. It charts the triumphs and disappointments, from the
fights and wild times, to the grind of life on the road, to the problem of
keeping three disparate personalities working happily for a decade.
We meet the
enthusiastic bass player Nick Seymour, the butt, it seems, of many in-House
jokes, the hilarious yet moody drummer Paul Hester who was the ÒspiritÓ of the
band, and the even more moody and burdened Neil Finn. [He] is revealed as a
fascinating character, part pragmatic organiser and natural leader and part
creative wonder. – Peter Wilmoth, Sunday Age, Melbourne