Research Catalog

Straight into darkness : Tom Petty as rock mystic

Title
Straight into darkness : Tom Petty as rock mystic / Megan Volpert.
Author
Volpert, Megan A.
Publication
  • Athens : The University of Georgia Press, [2022]
  • ©2022

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StatusFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
TextUse in library JME 22-527Performing Arts Research Collections - Music

Details

Description
169 pages : illustrations; 22 cm.
Summary
"Of all the Heartbreakers tracks available to come through her headphones as Megan Volpert stood over train tracks preparing to surrender to the psychedelic blindness of simple human misery, "Straight Into Darkness" is the one that did. In this highly philosophical and deeply personal exploration of one obscure Tom Petty song, Volpert's essays comb through the musical, historical, rhetorical and sociological implications of a forgotten gem in a legendary catalog with satisfying results. In the face of powerlessness, we rebel anyway. She judges the forty years of Petty's career with one finger on the pulse of Bob Dylan and an occasional whiff of Bruce Springsteen, looking at the sometimes violent mob scene of concerts as a type of transcendence. Straight Into Darkness offers a compelling vision of rock and roll fandom where the songwriter's hardworking sense of humor is enough to save us from absurdity. All you need is Albert Camus and a couple of chords. Long after dark, Petty and Volpert each emerge as modern mystics. A finalist for the Georgia author of the year award, the book was described by the judges: Straight into Darkness is a music historian and pop culture aficionado's dream - a deeply visceral, exhaustive, and eloquent appreciation for one of the greatest contemporary musicians of our time, Tom Petty. Volpert meticulously traces Petty's quest for originality and autonomy throughout his decades-long career. Petty was a gifted musician who thought outside of the box and challenged conventional norms. And Volpert is a gifted critic, whose tribute makes for an illustrious addition to the genre of music criticism"--
Series Statement
Music of the American South
Uniform Title
Music of the American South.
Subject
  • Petty, Tom > Criticism and interpretation
  • Petty, Tom
  • 1981-1990
  • Rock music > 1981-1990 > History and criticism
  • Rock music
  • Criticism and interpretation
Genre/Form
Criticism, interpretation, etc.
Bibliography (note)
  • Includes bibliographical references (pages 153-169).
Contents
Album context -- Song composition -- Song lyrics -- Mob scene -- Final tour -- Standards.
Call Number
JME 22-527
ISBN
  • 9780820362465
  • 0820362468
LCCN
2022005745
OCLC
1300754735
Author
Volpert, Megan A., author.
Title
Straight into darkness : Tom Petty as rock mystic / Megan Volpert.
Publisher
Athens : The University of Georgia Press, [2022]
Copyright Date
©2022
Type of Content
text
Type of Medium
unmediated
Type of Carrier
volume
Series
Music of the American South
Music of the American South.
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 153-169).
Chronological Term
1981-1990
Other Form:
Online version: Volpert, Megan A. Straight into darkness. Athens : The University of Georgia Press, [2022] 9780820362472 (OCoLC)1342788558
Research Call Number
JME 22-527
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