Goth – A History by Lol Tolhurst – Book Review
by Killian Laher

What a year for all things goth!  To add to the numerous goth-related books, here is the second book from ex-Cure founder member Lol Tolhurst.

After his account of his stint in The Cure in his previous book Cured, this time around he attempts to take a wider look at the goth music genre.  He mixes his account of creating the early 80s Cure albums 17 Seconds, Faith and Pornography with his take on the various groups of the era ploughing a similar furrow.  His descriptions of making those albums are interesting and insightful, while his takes on the other groups are pretty uneven, depending on his musical taste.

It’s very much Tolhurst’s personal take on goth and its significance.  In what has become a crowded field of books about goth music, Lol Tolhurst’s book is enjoyable but inessential.  Cure fans will need this, but anyone looking for an in-depth overview of goth will need to look elsewhere.