Outside the Lines: Lost photographs of punk and new wave's most iconic albums

Bought this as a gift for a friend and they were absolutely in love with it. Can’t wait to get one for myself!!

Fantastic book of music artist images.

Unique book. Wonderful photos. A look back at a time much missed.

Amazing

per chi ama la musica punk e non solo una raccolta di foto incredibile e interessante, un libro che spiega la musica di quegli anni e ti riporta indietro nel tempo.

Mediocre in comparison to other books of this genre.

A thoughtfully put together book that lifts a veil on the stories behind some of the most iconic album covers of the New Wave and Punk eras. This book is thick glossy hardback that would fit and sit well on any music lover's coffee table.Covering the period of 1976-82, Matteo Torcinovich has searched his own vinyl collection, seeking out (and speaking to where possible) the photographers who shot them to bring this book together. For each album there is a brief discussion of the album, its place in music history, along with the background behind its production and that of the album cover. It is a good balance between editorial description and story telling alongside the sheer visual impact of the photos and album covers that are the star of the show. Photos used are often part of a series, just one selected from many. Seeing the other unseen sides of artists relaxing, in various poses it is fascinating to view and understand why one was selected over others. Highlights for me were Bowie's Heroes and Lodger alongside Elvis Costello.The book is split in two covering "The American Wave", and "New Wave (and the first British LPs)". As a Brit this was a helpful distinction in separating out artists I was more familiar with, against the discovery of those I was perhaps less acquainted. There is overlap, as shown in the timeline early on in the book with music genres and tastes developing in the US and UK in different ways and speeds.The author does make a point on reminiscing this lost art form. Some, including myself, saw CDs as retaining this medium, however Matteo makes a convincing argument that the sort of images and the magnitude of idea and emotion that can be communicated via a CD, or today just a thumbnail on a screen, is so much more reduced as to render it almost obsolete. I hadn't appreciated the power that had been lost, the ability to study an image while listening to your favourite track which can contribute so much to the overall experience.This book is perfect for picking up over a coffee to browse and enjoy while relaxing to your favourite track, a nostalgia trip down memory lane that is sure to become a classic and must have book for fans of this era

When Punk first appeared it smashed the old establishment like Emerson Lake and Palmer, The who and the other 'dinosaurs' that were around.Phil Collins and Genesis had no chance in the fallout and maul that was punk.No one saw it coming.That is except for a few who had seen the New York Dolls on the Old Grey Whistle Test and people like me that had followed the MC5.I well remember the great MC5 and saw them at the Withernsea Pavillion promoted by the Hull Brick Company.(Withernsea a small seaside resort on the East Yorkshire Coat- think of Canvey or Barry Island without the lights!)The band had such raw power I was amazed that it did not have a similar movement in the UK.The a genius like Malcolm MacClarren came along and the rest is history.The only difference? The US bands could play their instruments.(Compare to Syd Vicious who couldn't- see Lemmy who taught him and the tours in the USA where he played the wrong baselines to the wrong songs)I am not disappointed. Outside the Lines: Lost photographs of punk and new wave's most iconic albums is one of those coffee table books that look great BUT the exception here is that you actually want to read, take in and luxuriate in the art, photographs and writing.The word ‘un put downable’comes to mind here and how.No doubt if you chance to visit Waterstones or a similar good book shop you will see lines of people perusing and devouring this book.At the price of 15 GBP at the time of writing it is a bargain I would have expected to have to pay twice that amount for a book of this calibre.The book is of its time.The first part concentrates, quite rightly on the American Phase of Punk.The B52s are included along with Blondie which will, I know annoy the hell out of some but they deserve to be included.I always thought that they had the wigs the wrong way around and it seems I was right- Kate looked a whole lot better than that on the cover.I must admit I amSurprised that the MC5 are excluded but I imagine that quite a few will put forward the case and complain that certain favourites are not included in this comprehensive book.Later it moves to good old British Punk.Lots of LPs are explained which really makes this a must buy.I am surprised that this was not released towards the end of the year for the Christmas Market- I imagine it would sell by the shed load.Watch out for the soft back release perhaps?Inclusions include Bowie, the Pretenders then UltraVox both versions – Bow Wow Wow and the notorious nude of the 15 yo singer Annabel and so on.It was real;ly good to see Hull's Own Lene Lovitch and quite a few others that faded from the scene.The sets are explained really well.In the case of Lena her look and the setting inside the stainless steel fermenting tank of London Guiness no less!I can really recommend this excellent read to you.Thanks for reading.