Radon

A clear and effective parody of the 33 1/3 series of books, Radon happens to focus on one of my favorite bands and albums. Touted for their "largely unsold" LP and avoidance of "the problems of fame by willful obfuscation and a premature break-up," Radon, who I have only experienced via their album and live recordings, made a massive impact on my understanding of how powerful and effective a DIY band could be, even many years after their demise. It was the album that I listened to while doing Microcosm work through the 90s, courtesy of a cassette copy dubbed and mailed to us by a friendly customer. That tape inspired many long days and late nights of packing envelopes and designing books. But these matters aside, Radon also is a fabulous new body of work from Aaron Cometbus and Travis Fristoe, two hilarious and brilliantly-gifted writers, who include such fabulously telling passages as "Radon was a sign that I could have it all: a place of my own and a girlfriend I could talk to about literature, plus the same, pure, ecstatic joy as when I first heard the Ramones." Not only does this book accurately describe the authentic punk experience, it is an authentic punk experience.