Joe Pernice

A very different take on the idea of the 33 1/3 series. Instead of writing directly about "Meat Is Murder," Joe Pernice put together a wonderful piece of post-punk, adolescent romance. This is not the story of an album, it's the story of the people who obsessed over an album. And with a band like The Smiths, I can't help but feel like that's a better story to read than the power grabs of Morrissey and Marr.

A hapless 20's young adult flees NY City to Cape Cod, leaving girl friend and chaos behind. Living in his sisters crummy condo, he bonds with her ex-husband, and their toddler son. He meets an odd assortment along the way.

At the the end he looks like he might be finding himself. Minor characters seem to be better drawn and more sympathetic than the leads. I liked the writing and the author's eye for well drawn detail.