Reviews

Radon by Travis Fristoe, Aaron Cometbus

thejadedhippy's review

4.0

Interesting reflections on a pretty obscure punk band from the early 90s, this contains basically two essays, one by each of the authors, reflecting on the influence Radon has had on them over the years as well as larger issues in punk circles. Cometbus is particularly reflective on the issue of quality of music in punk and the way really quality music is sometimes overlooked for various reasons. Fristoe takes us more into the local context of Radon and how their rootedness in that time and place affects the meaning of their work.

Being as this is a band I'd never heard of, I picked this up on a whim because I generally like Cometbus' writing. I wasn't disappointed! I think these two essays compliment each other really well, with Cometbus giving us the "big picture" while Fristoe brings it back to details. I guess I have a new band to scour the Used sections for...

erik_gamlem's review

4.0

Love it! Amazingly the Fristone side blew me away, capturing some of the mysterious love I have for this cult classic. But man, still this band holds magic and speaks in codes I have yet to understand. Fall deep into this book and this band.

rustbeltjessie's review

5.0

This tiny book made me cry. I've only ever heard, like, two Radon songs, but that didn't stop me from feeling the book, ya know? If you're punk, you'll understand. As Travis Fristoe writes near the end of his half: "Now go form your own band and cry over old records." As a punk writer myself, I'll say: "Now go write your own book and cry over old records."