Book info

• Title Perfect Sound Whatever
• Author James Acaster
• Year 2019
• Genre Memoir

PERFECT SOUND WHATEVER is a love letter to the healing power of music, and how one man's obsessive quest saw him defeat the bullshit of one year with the beauty of another. Because that one man is James Acaster, it also includes tales of befouling himself in a Los Angeles steakhouse, stealing a cookie from Clint Eastwood, and giving drunk, unsolicited pep talks to urinating strangers.

Thoughts

I love James Acaster, his four-part Netflix special (which is mentioned in this book) was a masterclass in intricately connected, bizarre but hilarious comedy. I’ve read his book about getting into a lot of scrapes so was interested in this new project dedicated to the music of just one year. Having come out the other side, I’m not sure how I feel about it. James writes very well and the memoir sections were great, but I’m not sure if the music obsession and recommendation really works as a book. Is it interesting to read story after story of how a random album you’ve never heard of came to being? Is it more of a reference work than a book? I don’t know.

Rating: 2 / 5