- Hardcover: 448 pages
- Publisher: Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd (8 Oct 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0283063408
- ISBN-13: 978-0283063404
- Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 13.7 x 4.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
-
Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
252,182 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #81 in Books > Biography > Gay & Lesbian > Gay
 Trade In this Item for up to £0.25
Get an extra £5 when you trade in books worth £10 or more until June 30, 2012. Trade in Tainted Life for an Amazon.co.uk gift card of up to £0.25, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Find more products eligible for trade-in.
|
Product details |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
For those who think that Marc Almond's career began and ended with the single "Tainted Love" in 1981, then think again. Almond has built up an impressive body of work over the last two decades, creating over 16 albums of unique and diverse material. He has performed countless sell-out concerts, enjoyed numerous hit records, embarked on unique collaborations and produced some of the finest interpretations of the songs of both Jacques Brel and Charles Aznavour in recent history. He has brooded through the bleakest melancholia and basked in the glory of the purest pop. And here, at last, is the life and soul of the artist laid bare. Almond's autobiography, entitled Tainted Life ("what else?", asks Almond), charts his "dysfunctional" childhood in Southport through his wilderness years at Leeds School of Art to global pop stardom with electro- duo Soft Cell in 1981. And that's just the first few chapters. What follows entails the demise of the band in which he made his name, his fall from commercial grace and a career that would fluctuate wildly (as indeed would his mental state), all wittily retold with just enough bile and bitterness. The book's cover features a brilliantly striking portrait of Almond by Parisian artists Pierre et Gilles, which visually epitomises his artistic style in a splendid array of colour.
Whether you enjoy his music or not, love him or hate him, Almond has led such a recklessly exciting life that this book will make for a fascinating read, particularly appealing to those too scared to take a walk on the wild side for themselves. Yes, there are the usual rock 'n' roll tales of alcohol and drug addiction but what makes this book special is Almond's exploration of both the seedier aspects of life and the darker realms of the soul. Tainted Life also dissects the music business and the personalities who litter its corridors and includes such colourful characters as svengali manager Stevo and wayward singer Cindy Ecstasy, plus celebrities such as Madonna, Gene Pitney and Andy Warhol. Almond is an accomplished writer and looks back upon his hectic life with a critical eye and a dry sense of humour, recognising his triumphs and achievements, yet equally acknowledging his faults and failures. At times torch singer, at others arts maverick, Almond has always been an innovative and creative talent; he has recently enjoyed critical success for the album Open All Night (1999) and the book Beautiful Twisted Night, a collection of poetry, verse and prose. His autobiography is no exception, managing to inform and entertain in an intimate way while remaining honest and open throughout. The moment you begin the journey through Almond's Tainted Life you won't stop until you reach the end. --Robert Brookes
Product Description
The autobiography of the eighties pop star Marc Almond. An intimate portrait of the star-making abilities of eighties personalities and the frank story of rising from a fall from commercial grace to rebuild a new career with dignity, and living life in a world of rumours, some cultivated, many not.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Following in the footsteps of Holly Johnson & Boy George,Marc Almond takes us back to the over-priced,over-sexed,eighties.Soft Cell's and Marc's lyrical style led us to believe he was a sleazy,shady character,who lived on the edge of society. This book gives no insight to if he indeed was such a man.The reader can't help but feeling he's holding back on the juicy bit's.Although saying that,you feel sympathy for a man with a terrible addiction, and feel frustrated at his endless misunderstanding record companies. So if its Eighties debauchery you want, I recommend either George or Holly's books.But if you want Eighties excess and the story of a determined artist,then give this book a try.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Because his music is seen as being in the pop genre, Marc Almond isn't given the credit he is due. I would defiantly rank him with Nick Cave as being one of the few consistently interesting serious artist, one who is not afraid to take risks. Almond has been making excellent, interesting music for twenty years, taking his listeners where ever his exotic tastes have lead, not just where record companies think the next hit will come.
This long awaited autobiography documents the years of chart success and excess with Soft Cell and his long and varied solo career. Perhaps more interestingly it also revile his childhood in Southport and years at Art College in Leeds. While his childhood was an unhappy one, Almond really found himself at college, which often makes of a great and funny read. Reading about these years before success enables us to more fully understand Almond the man. Documenting the time he spend in New York and Barcelona throws more light on allot the characters Amond sings about.
Almond details the long years struggling with drug dependency, record company hankering after hits and hangers on , never asking for our sympathy or blaming anyone but himself. Unlike allot of star autobiographies, this was obviously not an easy, ghosted book to write, and we should be thankful Almond had the courage to write such a book
This book throws new light on one of music's most consistently interesting artist and would be as great a read for non fans as it is for fans.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I cannot put this book down. As a huge fan of Marc - I have with the exception of "Fantastic Star" - loved everything he's ever done. This man could go out on stage and fart and it'd be wonderful. He has written a truly remarkable and honest account of his life so far. He's not lifted the lid on people and events he's wanted to keep private and that is refreshing in itself. Here is a man of real integrity. Boy George may have descended briefly into drug abuse and come out of it as much of a national institution as he was before. Marc has managed to retain his privacy and his artistic credibility throughout his years of drug abuse. And he's come through it all a better person and one who is still able to produce music worth listening to. This book is intelligently written, witty and honest. It's a humorous, enjoyable, bleak and frightening ride through the most interesting musical period yet. Marc has my absolute respect - even more so now. He has written his life story and retained control over what he has divulged. He is my hero!
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Biography > Film, Television & Music > Music > Rock & Pop
- Books > Biography > Gay & Lesbian > Gay
- Books > Music, Stage & Screen > Music > Styles > Rock & Pop > Styles
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
