{"title":"Matthew LeMay","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMatthew LeMay\u003c\/strong\u003e offers insightful explorations into the intersection of art, culture, and creativity. His works delve into the subtleties of artistic expression, shedding light on the lives and legacies of influential creatives like Elliott Smith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders can expect thoughtful narratives that celebrate artistic innovation and examine the cultural moments that shape creative endeavour. LeMay's writing invites reflection on the emotional and intellectual layers behind notable works in music and the arts.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"elliott-smiths-xo-by-matthew-lemay-9780826429001","title":"Elliott Smith's XO","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany albums could be cited to support the claim that great suffering yields great art. Elliott Smith's \u003cem\u003eXO\u003c\/em\u003e should not be one of them. Smith's 1998 major label debut defies the \"tortured singer-songwriter\" stereotype and takes up this defiance as a central theme. At a time when Smith was being groomed for a particular (and particularly condescending) brand of stardom, he produced a record that eviscerated one of the central assumptions of singer-songwriterdom: that pain is beautiful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eXO\u003c\/em\u003e insists that romanticising personal tragedy can only leave you \"deaf and dumb and done.\" And it backs up this claim with some of the most artful and intelligent music of its day. Matthew LeMay writes an original take on a widely beloved album, steering clear of the sensationalist suicide angles that have dogged most analyses of Elliott Smith's extraordinary work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47430661177580,"sku":"9780826429001","price":21.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780826429001.jpg?v=1774558878"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/matthew-lemay.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}