60 Songs That Explain the 90s by Rob Harvilla

Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for 60 Songs That Explain the 90s:

Just put the nostalgia directly in my veins!

Quick synopsis:

Um, just look at the title.

Fact for Non-History People:

Green Day’s Dookie sold 20 million copies.

Fact for History Nerds:

Everyone in Metallica, including the drummer Lars Ulrich, concede that Lars is an overrated drummer.

My Take on 60 Songs That Explain the 90s:

Listen, big disclaimer up front. I was born in 1982, so my formative music years were the 1990s. Or, if you want to be mean, the late 1900s. Rob Harvilla’s 60 Songs That Explain the ’90s is the type of book in which I cannot be trusted to be impartial. I’d like to say I’m mature and professional enough to not get completely overwhelmed by reading about the Gin Blossoms or Metallica. I am not. I am okay with it. So, let’s do this review.

Harvilla is a liar. He admits this. He talks about way more than 60 songs and clearly, I was here for it. Harvilla writes very informally but I honestly believe it works for this book. He is, in essence, trying to teleport you back to your childhood bedroom with your best friend as you discuss just how deep Alice in Chains is and how no one else gets it. Harvilla has an extremely wide taste in music, so you also get write-ups on rap, country, and most genres under the sun. No, this is not a scholarly book. Yes, I loved it. If you were a 90s kid, I guarantee there is something here for you. He even covers ska!

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Twelve Books.)

Verdict:

You have to read it. Just do it. Trust me. Buy it here!

If You Liked This Try:

• Andrew McMahon, Three Pianos