Book: The Art Of Falling Apart by Mark Dawson

Dystopia are an industrial rock band on the verge of breaking America. However despite a rapturously received Las Vegas showcase gig they are falling apart. The singer wants to go solo despite his inability to write songs, the guitarist is depressed and the manager is looking to sell them all out.

Ex Hacienda DJ Mark Dawson's debut novel is at it's best detailing the excesses of the rock and roll lifestyle. Whilst the middle flags a little due to multiple narrators and a little too much back story The Art Of Falling Apart is a creditable rock and roll page turner.

Music: The Best Party Ever by The Boy Least Likely To

Many have often wondered whether instruments like the recorder or the xylophone are ever actually played outside of school music rooms. The Best Party Ever confirms that this does happen and that they can be used to great effect.

The Boy Least Likely To are a twee proposition both in name and style with their album cover showing childlike drawings of animals playing instruments. They sound like Belle And Sebastian abandoning The Velvet Underground in favour of The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band. On songs like Be Gentle With Me, Hugging My Grudge and I'm Glad I Hitched My Apple Wagon To Your Star they combine bouncy castle melodies with naive but endearing lyrics that never stray into ironic territory. Elsewhere they waddle into some wonky blues and gentle folk. The album will either charm the socks off you or drive you nuts. I stand in the barefoot category.