Dark Black and Blue: The Soundgarden Story by Greg Prato

[Samsara]

I picked up Greg Prato's biography on Soundgarden a couple of weeks back and just finished it last night. I bought it because I'm a fan of Soundgarden's work (Badmotorfinger is one of my top-10 albums of all time), but also on the strength of the King's X book he put out a couple of years ago, which I really enjoyed. I have to say, while I enjoyed getting some Soundgarden history, and the nice trip back down memory lane, I wasn't as fond of this book as I was the KX one.

I think the major thing I noticed was something that wouldn't bother most people -- Greg wrote it like a fanboy, because he IS a fanboy of the band. That bugged me a bit. It came across as a fan writing a message board thesis on their favorite band and throwing in all personal anecdotes about times they saw them live, and their own favorite songs, etc. I was expecting a more critical, professional look at Soundgarden, particularly given the book is not an "authorized biography." (Or at least as far as I can tell.) It was a bit jumpy and just kind of like you were hearing about Soundgarden from a buddy at a bar that wouldn't shut up. 

That said, don't get me wrong. I admire Greg's passion, and I have it myself when it comes to my favorite band of all time. And Greg's book dutifully covers SG's entire existence. If you're a fan of the band, you'll dig the book. But I just wouldn't expect a passionate, yet detached look at Soundgarden that gets into the nitty gritty. This is a book written by a hardcore fan in a very casual, relaxed, style of writing.

I'd give it three stars out of five.

Anyone else pick this one up?

[TAC]

Sam, I was planning on texting you when I got home from work tonight as I haven't seen much of you lately. Then BAM! you're on DTF today...


Didn't read the book nor will I, I just wanted to post that.

I completely missed the Soundgarden train.

[Samsara]

Sam, I was planning on texting you when I got home from work tonight as I haven't seen much of you lately. Then BAM! you're on DTF today...


Didn't read the book nor will I, I just wanted to post that.

I completely missed the Soundgarden train.

Yeah, I've been busy with stuff. Been nice to disconnect for a while. Hope all is well. And SG isn't a band I thought you'd be into. Maybe a couple of tunes, but they are out of your wheelhouse for sure.

As an addition to the post above, I don't want it to look like I'm taking at shot at Greg Prato. I think he's a good writer. I just happen to not like the style in which he wrote this particular book. But his love and enthusiasm for Soundgarden jumped from the pages.

[ytserush]

Sam, I was planning on texting you when I got home from work tonight as I haven't seen much of you lately. Then BAM! you're on DTF today...


Didn't read the book nor will I, I just wanted to post that.

I completely missed the Soundgarden train.

You're not the only one.

[ytserush]

Sam, I was planning on texting you when I got home from work tonight as I haven't seen much of you lately. Then BAM! you're on DTF today...


Didn't read the book nor will I, I just wanted to post that.

I completely missed the Soundgarden train.

Yeah, I've been busy with stuff. Been nice to disconnect for a while. Hope all is well. And SG isn't a band I thought you'd be into. Maybe a couple of tunes, but they are out of your wheelhouse for sure.

As an addition to the post above, I don't want it to look like I'm taking at shot at Greg Prato. I think he's a good writer. I just happen to not like the style in which he wrote this particular book. But his love and enthusiasm for Soundgarden jumped from the pages.

Guy seems like a book factory.  I'll admit there's one or two of his book's I want to get, but that's really it.

It is just that book he wrote that way or are there others?

[Samsara]

I felt his King's X book was much, much better.

The Soundgarden one, as someone said to me the other day who also read it, sounds like if he considers himself in the band. 

I mean, I get it, I didn't get that vibe, but he's clearly an uber fan, and wrote it that way. A lot of the balance went out the window, which made it less enjoyable, at least for me.

[WilliamMunny]

Yeah, Prato has written a ton of books, and as a writer myself, I know all too well that quality almost always becomes the cost of quantity.

I LOVE Soundgarden, but his prose is hard to read. Definitely agree with the comments that this 'book' feels more akin to a long blog post, but hey, it's self-published, so I'm not holding the lack of an 'edited' feel against him. Charging twenty bucks??? Well, that's where he lost me.