An Inthusiastic Idolator Indorsement: Succumb to “The Big Takeover”

Brian Raftery | November 29, 2006 9:25 am

Judging by our woefully underfunded, strictly anecdotal research, there are currently 3.1 million independent music magazines on the stands, half of which feature the Decemberists on the cover. But the only one you really need is the new issue of The Big Takeover, the music-nerd omnibus that’s been published out of New York City since 1980. Because founder Jack Rabid only puts out two issues a year, each new Takeover installment is densely packed, and the Q&As alone can take up a whole weekend (the interviews are rarely edited down, which is either admirable or annoying, depending on how you feel about Jello Biafra’s political rants). But the best part is the nearly 100-page review section at the end: By the time we’re finished with an issue, there are a dozen or so write-ups earmarked for further investigation. Most of them are pricey, bank-busting imports, but still.

Issue #59 is out now; pick up a copy, and don’t say we never say anything nice.

The Big Takeover [Official Site]