another interweb revelation – a bizarre but rather fascinating piece, by John Leland, in the new york times about female porn addiction and a movement that seeks to save those who have strayed.
content aside, i was pleasantly surprised to see leland’s byline once again. as a fan of music criticism (at least some of it), i remember that some of the earliest pieces that really made an impression on me – and yes, i’m dating myself here – were from leland during his days at spin. back when spin meant something.
leland’s piece for that mag on public enemy – and the shitstorm that ensued following professor griff’s anti-semitic slurs back in the ice age (aka the late ’80s) – was a masterwork, and it remains one of my fave pieces of music writing. i hadn’t read it in ages, but this post made me dig it up online. and well, the wait was worth it. what an opening sentence! and what an opening paragraph!
leland brought analysis, passion and ol’-fashioned reportage into the mix. and he was a great writer. after spin, he went on to edit details for a bit, wrote a book called hip: the history, and then, well, i don’t really know.
except now i do – he’s with the times. perhaps that’s been the case for a while, i’ve no idea. but i sure look forward to reading more of his pieces.
And great that the photo of P.E. in the Spin article was taken by Glen E. Friedman. You remember him, don’t you? Y’old skate rat.