The Memory Theater Burned

by Damon Krukowski

"Damon regards language as prayer...his lines move with the speed of wonder and with an ear towards new found sound. Good music."—Thurston Moore, Sonic Youth

Genres: Poetry

72 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

About the author

Damon Krukowski is a writer and musician. Author of The New Analog: Listening and Reconnecting in a Digital World, he has taught writing and sound (and writing about sound) at Harvard University. He was in the indie rock band Galaxie 500 and is currently one half of the folk-rock duo Damon & Naomi. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Sheldon Compton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry man. I know it sucks to get these but it is what it is. Three or four of these were okay but it mostly read like you’re trying to answer questions only abstractly shared. Couldn’t find a foothold. Sorry.

[Lance Grabmiller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though these might be considered Prose-poetry, the read more like parables or fables or dreams by characters in a novel by Kafka.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Memory Theater Burned by Damon Krukowski
(Turtle Point Press)

I bought this book earlier in the year when I
saw Damon play at the Luminaire as one half of
Damon and Naomi and I'm glad that I did.
Although I might take slight issue with it's
claims to be a collection of Damon's poetry as
for me most of the pieces in the book would be
better described as short prose pieces as Damon
doesn't go in for much in the way of form or
stanzas or rhyming schemes. But putting that
aside what he does go in for is some very well
observed pieces about people who spend there
entire lives singing one song, or who lose the
ability to sing, then there is a guy who is the
prompter in a theatre and has forgotten who he
is as he can only speak in quotes from the plays
he has memorised. Then there are a few flights
of fancy where he waxes philosophical in a style
reminiscent of Krishnamurti of all people.
He also talks about a guitar that gains weight
so he has to play it while it lays on the floor
of the stage as he can no longer pick it up!!
There is a nice surreal edge to many of the
stories and pieces and if you like any of his
bands such as Galaxie 500 or Magic Hour then
chances are this book will have more than enough
to make you think and smile even if he didn't
put the book out on the publishing house he runs
when he isn't touring with Damon & Naomi etc.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

We went to see DK read in a bookstore in Paris. It was a real treat. A translator read each poem in French before he read it in English, rather than the usual other way around. I was full of good feelings during that reading, although I kind of wanted him to stop so I could enjoy the rest of the poems privately, later (and of course, he did stop. Of course! And left for London to play rock and roll, like any good important-80's-indie musician/poet). This book is good company.