In his debut book, Mockingbird founder and editor-in-chief David Zahl riffs on the intersection of music, memoir, and theology to create a fresh and colorful series of essays that truly stands alone. Constructed like an album, A Mess of Help surveys some of pop’s most eccentric icons in hopes of finding answers to both the small questions (“Who am I?”) and the big ones (“What about Michael Jackson?”), unearthing timeless wisdom even as it entertains. So if you’ve ever wondered how fundamentalism sparked Guns N’ Roses, what ABBA can do for your marriage, or why Brian Wilson built his sandbox, open your heart and drop the needle.
Order your copy today on Amazon
or Createspace!* And by all means write a review if you feel so led.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Teenage Angst Paid Off Well: Growing Up with Nirvana
III. Get Back: The Ever Present Past of The Beatles
IV. “You Need a Mess Of Help To Stand Alone”: Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys
V. Crying ABBA: An Annotated Playlist
VI. Belle and Sebastian Go Off and See a Minister
VII. Searching Low and High For the Who Behind The Who
VIII. The Secret History of William Axl Rose
IX. Jesus Rides Beside The Replacements
X. Even The (Rolling) Stones Cry Out: An Annotated Playlist
XI. Big Star Talks to God
XII. Lindsey Buckingham Walks a Thin Line
XIII. Paging Dr. Carpenter: Elvis Presley’s Change of Habit
XIV. Scott Walker Is Dead! Long Live Scott Walker!
XV. Hated for Loving: The World According to Morrissey
XVI. What About Michael Jackson?
XVII. Confessions of a Former Music Critic
XVIII. Sing Mockingbird Sing: The Alpha and Omega of Annotated Playlists
“David Zahl writes like a true believer in the healing power of music, and one with a deep understanding that, at its most sublime, what music wants most is to mimic God’s voice. Each chapter of A Mess of Help reads like one side of a lengthy discussion with an old friend… who might be even more obsessed with your favorite band than you are! His passion for the subject is infectious. Highly recommended!” – John Davis, musician and songwriter (Superdrag, The Lees of Memory)
Pre-order your copy today!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjhHB4J_TCI&w=600
* Mbird keeps more of the revenue if you order via Createspace.
COMMENTS
9 responses to “Now Available! A MESS OF HELP: From the Crucified Soul of Rock N’ Roll”
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Sweet! I bet you had a helluva fun time writing that… It looks awesome!
Hooray! Finally! Saying this is a long-time coming is like talking about the official release of Smile/Chinese Democracy. Cannot wait to read it! P.s., I love the cover! Who made it?
Thanks guys, I really poured my heart into this one. An absolute blast, too.
Stephanie Fishwick (http://www.stephaniefishwick.com) designed/drew the cover and as you can see, she’s simply amazing. A free copy goes to the first person who deciphers all the symbols we hid in there.
Oh, and apologies to anyone who’s having a hard time with the checkout on the site store. We’re working on it!
I think we need a moment of silence for the fashion on display in that Beach Boys clip. Al’s get-up is pure genius (from his Robin Hood/longshoreman phase), Blondie’s sweater is a color I’ve never seen before, and Mike Love is wearing a woman’s bathrobe w/oversized beret. And i’m pretty sure that’s Daryl Dragon, AKA The Captain from Captain and Tennille, on the non-dennis piano. Ain’t no shuck and jive indeed.
Would love to get a copy. Can you ship to Australia?
Yes! Happily.