Goth, Lol Tolhurst
Goth, Lol Tolhurst
List: $24.99 | Sale: $17.50
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Goth
A History

Author: Lol Tolhurst

Narrator: Lol Tolhurst, Budgie

Unabridged: 7 hr 39 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Da Capo Press

Published: 09/26/2023


Synopsis

The co-founder of The Cure and author of Cured delivers a fascinating deep dive into the dark romanticism of Goth music, a misunderstood genre and culture.
 
GOTH is an entertaining and engaging historical memoir, and a journey through Goth music and culture, exploring creative giants like The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus, Joy Division, and many more great bands that offered a place of refuge for the misfits of the ‘80s and ever since. Written by Lol Tolhurst, co-founder of The Cure, this book offers a riveting retrospective of the genre’s iconic movers and shakers, infused with stories from Tolhurst’s personal trove of memories, as well as anecdotes about the musicians, magicians, and artists who made it all happen—the people, places, and things that made Goth an inevitable and enduring movement.

Starting with the Origins of Goth, Tolhurst explores early art and literature that inspired the genre and looks into the work of T.S Eliot, Edgar Allan Poe, Sylvia Plath, and Albert Camus, among others. He also outlines the path of Gothic Forebears and shows how many musicians played in punk bands before transitioning into Goth endeavors. Next, he introduces readers to the “Architects of Darkness”—Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, and The Cure—the Godfathers of Goth who established the genre's roots. Following these early bands, Tolhurst discusses a group he calls the “Spiritual Alchemists,” consisting of bands like Depeche Mode, Cocteau Twins, and more, who helped the darkness expand into the culture. He also tracks the expansion of the genre overseas, from England to New York, Los Angeles, and beyond. Gothic fashion was an important part of the movement as well, and Tolhurst discusses the clothing that accompanied and complemented the music. Finally, Tolhurst examines the legacy of Goth music, and shows how its influence can still be seen to this day across music, film, TV, visual arts, social media, and more.
 
As thoughtful and thorough as it is utterly bewitching, GOTH is a timeless testament to why Goth matters—and why it always will.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Lydia on June 25, 2023

This book was such an interesting read. Tolhurst gives heart to a subculture that is generally seen strictly as cold and dark by those who have gotten close to it. Memoir of Goth from the Cure's original drummer, who kindly explains his point of view on the matter. I have always loved the group The......more

Goodreads review by Lauren on October 12, 2023

Sigh. And two stars feels generous. I wanted to like this! I love The Cure! And Lol's previous book was reasonably okay. But this is really an insufferably self-congratulatory book laden with observations that will add nothing to the understanding of anyone associated with the Goth subculture and be......more