posted by davidt on Thursday August 14 2003, @09:00AM
Abrahán Garza writes:

Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs*
*A Low Culture Manifesto by Chuck Klosterman

On page 44, when speaking of Billy Joel the author writes:

"Every one of Joel's important songs-including the happy ones-are ultimately about loneliness. And it's not the "cleverlonely" (like Morrissey) or "interesting lonely" (like Radiohead); it's "lonely lonely," like the way it feels when you're being hugged by someone and it somehow makes you sadder."

On page 175: "I once did a feature for SPIN magazine that tried to explian why Morrissey has become a cult figure with Latino teenagers in California, and I suggested a variety of explanations for why a forgotten, asexual Oscar Wilde fanatic would resonate with Hispanic kids in East L.A. What I came to realize is that relating to Morrissey is easy for anyone who puts forth the effort to try; Moz sings about universal problems (loneliness, alienation, emotional fraud), and he sings about those problems in a way that's oddly literal. His voice is clear, the meanings can be appreciated on two (and sometimes three) different levels, and you can always hear every thought. He lets you get close to him. I'm more suprised that Latinos are the only kids who still love him."

From Press Release: "From the kid who brought you Fargo Rock City -- the first book in history to garner the praise of Stephen King, David Byrne, Donna Gaines, Sebastian Bach, Jonathan Lethem, and Rivers Cuomo -- comes Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs -- the first book in history to examine breakfast cereal, reality television, tribute bands, Internet porn, serial killers, and the Dixie Chicks.

Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs is ostensibly about movies, sports, television, music, books, video games, and kittens...but, really, it's about us. All of us. As Klosterman realizes late at night, in the moment before he falls asleep, "In and of itself, nothing really matters. What matters is that nothing is ever 'in and of itself.'"

--The book will be released on August 26th, 2003.
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  • Um, every 23 year old white kid I have ever talked to randomly here & there knows who both The Smiths & Morrissey are. These Mancunians appeal to the very young (14ish) and to persons older than Morrissey (44). They transcend race, national origion, religion, gender, economic, political, and other such boundaries.

    Morrissey has performed on the Contintents of: 1) Europe, 2) North America, 3) South America,
    4) Asia.

    He is known worldwide.

    The youth of one race cannot lay claim to him, and no one can rightly claim this on their behalf.
    PopsicleBoy -- Thursday August 14 2003, @09:47AM (#71606)
    (User #8729 Info)
    Oh, is it really so, really so strange? I say NO, you say YES (but you will change your mind)
    • Women Are Not The Only B!tches... by Anonymous (Score:0) Thursday August 14 2003, @10:20AM
    • I agree with your comment. However, your last sentence is a bit disconcerting. I don't think the person who submitted the initial story or the writing of the forthcoming book were saying that Latinos "lay claim to him". I think they claim that it is interesting, which of course it's not because it's old news. Second, there is a lot of debate out there about whether or not race is real. Resubmit your comment without the last sentence and your good to go!

      Okay, you can turn weezer back on!
      Boy -- Thursday August 14 2003, @10:56AM (#71622)
      (User #8995 Info)
  • comparisons (Score:2, Interesting)

    It's odd seeing Moz compared to Billy Joel...!

    I wonder who the most unfashionable person Moz has ever been compared to...?
    carnal artist -- Thursday August 14 2003, @11:33AM (#71629)
    (User #7076 Info)
  • Why is it a big deal that Hispanics like Morrissey?It simply means they have good taste.I`ve seen Moz fans come in all colors,all ages female and male.There are also alot of hispanic Cure fans and Depeche Mode fans how come nobody ever makes a big deal about them?I just think everbody who loves Moz loves him because they relate to his words .That`s why I do.
    tibby -- Friday August 15 2003, @06:24PM (#71718)
    (User #2713 Info)
    ~I am a poor freezingly cold soul so far from where I intended to go ~I love Morrissey


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