Sing Backwards and Weep: A Memoir

This is legitimately my favorite book I have ever read.

If you are into the Seattle music scene from the 90s or you like to read addiction memoirs, or like me, are a fan of both, this book is perfect for you.

Lanegan’s life is full of ups and downs and wild stories that some are hard to believe. Because of the scene he was involved in we get so many amazing cameos in this book from Seattle Legends like Kurt Cobain, Chris Cornell, Layne Staley, Courtney Love, Jerry Cantrell and even the Gallagher brothers of Oasis.

The stories that Lanegan has to share about these characters are nothing short of amazing and might have been completely lost to time had he not noted them down in this memoir.

But this book is about Lanegan’s life and not these others. This book is dirty, disturbing and honestly just heinous and heartbreaking at some points. And thats what makes it so compelling to read. For all of Lanegan and the Screaming Tree’s triumphs there hundreds of failures and low points preceding them.

Lanegan really shines as an author here though, he cuts no corners and tells his story just as it was sugarcoating absolutely nothing. That may be what I admire most about this book. Mark doesn’t try to be some self righteous egoist, rather he personally tells you how big of a scumbag and how fucked up he really was.

I have read this book quite a few times and I also highly recommend the audiobook on audible as you can hear Mark himself tell his story.

A truly amazing read that I would recommend to anyone. Just be warned it is not for the faint of heart and it does not have a happy ending.

5 STARS