num_pages: 240
description: Drooling fanatic n. 1. One who drools in the presence of beloved rock stars. 2. Any of a genus of rock-and-roll wannabes/geeks who walk around with songs constantly ringing in their ears own more than 3000 albums and fall in love with at least one record per week. With a life thats spanned the phonographic era and the digital age Steve Almond lives to Rawk. Like you hes secretly longed to live the life of a rock star complete with insane talent famous friends and hotel rooms to be trashed. Also like you hes content (sort of) to live the life of a rabid fan one who has converted his unrequited desires into a (sort of) noble obsession. Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life traces Almonds passion from his earliest (and most wretched) rock criticism to his eventual discovery of a music-crazed soul mate and their subsequent production of two little superfans. Along the way Almond reflects on the delusional power of songs the awkward mating habits of drooling fanatics and why Depression Songs actually make us feel so much better. The book also  sometimes drunken interviews with Americas finest songwriters a recap of the authors terrifying visit to Graceland while stoned a vigorous and credibility-shattering endorsement of Styxs Paradise Theater recommendations you will often choose to ignore a reluctant exegesis of the Toto song Africa obnoxious lists sure to piss off rock critics But wait theres more. Readers will also be able to listen to a special free mix designed by the author available online at www.stevenalmond.com for the express purpose of eliciting your drool. For those about to rockwe salute you!
language: English
title: Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life: A Book by and for the Fanatics Among Us
publisher: Random House