Mark Lanegan’s arresting memoir tells the story of his remarkable life in music. Beginning with his childhood on an Washington state farm, moving to Seattle and then Los Angeles, Lanegan describes how he formed Screaming Trees with fellow high school students and kick-started the grunge movement. After stints with Queens of the Stone Age and Isobel Campbell, he released five solo albums, evolving from alt-rocker to dark troubadour; collaborating with everyone from bronchitis-stricken Kurt Cobain during Nirvana’s “In Utero” sessions to Elton John, Robbie Robertson (of The Band), Josh Homme (Queens Of The Stone Age) and Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails). Lanegan shares intimate stories about these experiences – being married a record four times (!), scoring drugs in Pakistan run by the Taliban or living through 10 years of hard drinking that very nearly killed him – as well as insights into songwriting and performing displayed here for the first time. Raw, funny and soberly honest throughout – Sing Backwards And Weep is arguably one of most compelling rock ‘n’ roll autobiographies ever written.
For who is this book for ?
Sing Backwards and Weep is an autobiographical book by musician Mark Lanegan, telling the story of his life in music. It covers his childhood on a farm, moving to Seattle and then Los Angeles, forming Screaming Trees with fellow high school students, and kick-starting the grunge movement. The book also details his stints with Queens of the Stone Age and Isobel Campbell, solo albums, collaborations with various musicians including Kurt Cobain during Nirvana’s “In Utero” sessions, as well as insights into songwriting and performing.
Pros :
- The author has a lot of experience and knowledge to share about the music industry.
- The book is written in an engaging and entertaining style.
- It provides a unique look into the life of a musician.
Cons :
- The author could have gone into more detail about his time in different bands
- Some of the stories seem a bit embellished or exaggerated
- It’s not always easy to follow who is talking when there are multiple people involved
Learn more about the author
Mark Lanegan is an American musician and singer-songwriter. Born in Ellensburg, Washington, he has been a major figure in the grunge and alternative rock scenes since the late 1980s.
Reader Reviews
“Not only is Lanegan’s story compelling and well-told, but his voice–gruff, world-weary and yet still containing a kernel of hope–is one that sticks with you long after you’ve put the book down.”
“5 STARS. If you are a fan of grunge music, or just great autobiographies in general, then this book is for you. I was hooked from the beginning and found myself eagerly turning the pages to find out what happened next.”
“This is one of the most compelling rock ‘n’ roll autobiographies I’ve ever read – and I’ve read a lot.”
“Lanegan is a great storyteller and his words are poetic, even when he’s talking about the nitty gritty of life on the road.”
