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The Encyclopedia of Bad Tasteby Jane & Michael Stern
Arguably, this could be the very beginning of the "lounge" revival. It predates the Incredibly Strange Music books, but it does not cover what is now known as "lounge" music. Instead, it focuses on what some would call "bad taste" culture: bell bottoms, Charo, Cool Whip, fake furhawaiian shirts, lava lamps, leopard skin, muzak, polynesian food, Lawreance Welk, zoot suits and so much more. Beautifully illustrated and well written, it is both informative and amusing to read. Surely overlooked in the "lounge" revival, this book is a must for anyone with an interest in retro culture.
[Harper Collins, ISBN 0-06-016470-0]
Cult TVby John Javna
Concurrent with the rise of the stereophonic record came a little invention known as television. As the hi-fi nut became obsessed with speaker placement and frequency response, a new generation was becoming obsessed with the glowing tube. The legacy of Cult TV - television as devotion - was born. Javna covers such classics as Laugh-In, Mod Squad, Ernie Kovacs, Space 1999, Dallas, Cheers and more. These are the shows that developed obsessed followings, almost to the point of religion. Topics covered are Cult Classics (Star Trek, I love Lucy, Dr. Who, etc.), Lost Cults (Happy Days, Ben Casey, Mod Squad, etc.), Prime Time Cults (Dallas, Cheers, David Letterman, etc.) as well as predicting Future Cults, listing various sources and fan club addresses.
[St. Martin's Press, ISBN 0-312-17848-4]
Bad TVby Craig Nelson
Had TV's inventors known where that glowing tube would lead, they might've burned the plans and sworn a pact of silence. Alas, they were not psychic and so we have the legacy of Bad TV. Not all of television's history has been worthy of devotion. As a matter of fact, some has been so abmismal it would appear it has been repressed by some sort of collective unconscious memory lapse. Let Mr. Nelson refresh that memory with stars, plots and commentaries on some of the worst and truly forgettable moments in TV's history. Worst of awards and nominees in such categories as variety show (The Brady Bunch Variety Show), kids' show (Smurfs), sitcom (My Mother The Car) and so many more. A hilarious (and sometimes psychically painful) stroll down memory lane.
[Delta, ISBN 0-385-31359-4]
A Stiff Drink and a Close Shave
The Lost Arts of Manliness
by Bob Sloan and Steven Guarnaccia
[Chronicle Books, ISBN 0-8118-0757-6]
Hi-fi's and Hi-ballsThe Golden Age of the American Bachelor
by Steven Guarnaccia and Bob Sloan And so the archaeology continues...this time a few years forward and closer to that wacky old "lounge" thing the kids are all crazy for. Now, this might be seen as a crass cash in, or simply the logical sequel to A Stiff Drink... In either case, once again we get light readable prose of no particular depth or consequence surrounding some of the most delicious images this side of the flea market of paradise. Fabulous sections on decorating, dressing,cars, spies, television, beatniks, women and, of course, music present a visual feast for the eyes. Those wishing a further education on the graphic and industrial design styles of the space age bachelor era should do yourself a favor and find this book.
[Chronicle Books, ISBN 0-8118-1663-X]
It should be noted that the appeal of both these books come less from the prose of Mr. Sloan and Mr. Guarnaccia, than from the design and photography. It is most likely the items chosen for inclusion were picked by the authors (and perhaps even in their personal collections), but often we praise the rather lackluster authoring when what we really love is the graphic design...and these two books are nothing BUT graphic design. Susan Hochbaum gets credit for design on both books, and this will forever entitle her to free drinks at Vik's. Completely stunning and compelling work that had Vik engrossed for hours. Photography for A Stiff Drink... was provided by Gentl and Hyers. Pete McArthur takes the principle photography honors on Hi-Fi's. Neither of these books will enlighten the already educated, but both will visually delight even the most obsessed collector.