SPILL BOOK REVIEW: JEFF GOMEZ – THERE WAS NO ALTERNATIVE: GENERATION X, AIDS, AND THE MAKING OF A CLASSIC NINETIES RECORD

JEFF GOMEZ – THERE WAS NO ALTERNATIVE: GENERATION X, AIDS, AND THE MAKING OF A CLASSIC NINETIES RECORD

McFARLAND BOOKS

BOOK REVIEW BY GERROD HARRIS

Released in 1993 to benefit AIDS relief, No Alternative was a compilation album that collected material from some of the most vital artists from the ‘90s: Nirvana, Soundgarden, Beastie Boys, and The Smashing Pumpkins, among others. While not as large as other cultural events that have defined previous eras, such as the original Woodstock, author Jeff Gomez makes the case that, unlike the emergence of grunge or the mega albums and the new festivals that popped up throughout the decade, No Alternative is perhaps the most important milestone for understanding the 1990s from a musical, cultural, and societal point of view. As he describes in his book, There Was No Alternative: Generation X, AIDS, And The Making Of A Classic Nineties Record, the benefit album speaks to what it was like to come of age in the ‘90s, capturing the fears, insecurities, and youth culture of Generation X. Ultimately, Gomez makes a compelling argument for the cultural relevance of No Alternative as a tool for better understanding the ‘90s, even 30 years later, while also dispelling the disparaging myths often associated with Generation X.

There Was No Alternative is a multifaceted book; on one hand, Gomez follows Paul Heck and Chris Mundy, a pair of Gen Xer’s highly engaged in the blossoming underground alternative scene as they seek to follow in the footsteps of Red Hot to bridge the sounds of their era with AIDS relief. In doing so, There Was No Alternative reads like a biography as Gomez, through research and his own interviews, tells how the album came to be, while also providing a thorough analysis of each band and the sessions that birthed the songs selected for No Alternative, while also giving enough context to understand the significance of each artist’s presence on the record and what this inclusion on the compilation meant for their own careers. On the other hand, Gomez digs deep into the AIDS epidemic, including the trauma and discrimination seen towards victims, along with the overall government indifference and inaction to combat this health crisis. Paired with an examination of youth culture and the intersection of the AIDS and Generation X, Gomez has delivered a societal and cultural analysis unlike any other.

Despite how much ground Gomez covers, There Was No Alternative never loses its footing nor is there a single moment that teeters towards what could have easily become nebulas territory. Rather, Gomez has intertwined his biographical cultural study in a seamless manner into one compelling narrative. It is through his effectiveness that Gomez is able to tackle such complexities in an academic, yet accessible, and, overall, heartfelt way. It is in this that There Was No Alternative shines as an excellent analysis of life in the ‘90s as Gomez tackles music, youth culture, and AIDS at their crossroads as a means of debunking the apathy and laziness of Generation X.

In many ways, There Was No Alternative is a coming-of-age story that sees a generation rise against a global public health crisis despite political inaction.  The resulting eponymous record led to the donation of over a million dollars and sparked a wave of awareness surrounding HIV and AIDS. Heck, Mundy, their integral team of like-minded activists, and the contributions from some of the greatest artists of their time are forever immortalized through Gomez’ work and their contributions to combating AIDS remains admirable today.

ISBN – 9781476649191

Purchase There Was No Alternative: Generation X, Aids, And The Making Of A Classic Nineties Record At McFarland Books HERE Or Via

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