I Am Dogboy: The Underworld Diaries

by Karl Hyde

In 1999, Underworld's Karl Hyde began writing a public diary. Every day since then, Hyde has documented his thoughts, lyrical works-in-progress, poetry and biographical essays alongside 'found' visuals. For the last sixteen years, these entries have collectively created an on-going, utterly unique monologue on Underworld's website.

I Am Dogboy handpicks a selection of diary entries and rearranges them to create an autobiographical narrative that takes Hyde from childhood through to the exploratory early years of Underworld, an electronic act who have been peerless for the last twenty five years. Spliced throughout the narrative are standalone/abstract poetic pieces that offer occasional snapshots of life on the road and in the studio and give an insight into Hyde's singular style of lyric writing.

The book is beautifully designed by John Warwicker - Hyde's long time collaborator and co-founder of the Tomato collective. Karl Hyde and John Warwicker have previously published the typographic books Mmm... Skyscraper I Love You and In The Belly of St Paul.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Poetry

288 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2016

Reviews

[Ian Mathers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This year I am not going to get so far behind on reviews, if I can possibly help it. I actually wrote a longer one for this book here, and I don't want to recap too much of that in this space. But I will say although part of me definitely wanted much more behind the scenes stuff on the Underworld albums I love so much (and a book that takes the anecdotal, impressionistic approach this one does to the creative and technical processes that made them would be amazing in its own right), I got something wonderfully unexpected and maybe even better instead. I've read biographical books by and about musicians with interest, but this might be the first one where it was like I could feel how it is that Hyde came by his creative voice by the end. I'm sure the poetry/photography bits will be take-'em-or-leave-'em for some readers, but the prose alone would have me recommend I Am Dogboy to anyone who likes reading about music, creativity, or finding your path in life.

[Erica Basnicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s so hard to review a book like this. All I can say is that I am a fairly big fan of Underworld, and I loved this book. It doesn’t get 5 stars, because I wanted more, plain and simple. Specifically, more blog content (or even better, non-blog content) in book form because I hate reading from a screen.

I don’t think I would find the book interesting at all if I didn’t like Karl Hyde’s approach to writing, and I’m glad there is almost an entire story arc of how he developed into the lyricist we know today. That alone is why it DOES get 4 stars.

[Aaron Badgley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not so much an autobiography, but rather a collection from Mr. Hyde's blog. But one does get remarkable insight into Freur, Underworld and his life.

[Igor · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all I have to say that Karl Hyde together with Rick Smith and Darren Emerson are one of the pioneers of Electronic music and are responsible for what we have today as electronic music. Luckily for us they are still creating very good music even today after 40 years.

The book is Karl Hyde autobiography from growing up until 1991, beginning of Underworld MKII as Karl says. Even though is published in 2016. There are many interesting stories about how Karl was struggling to find his place in the creating music process, about some minor successes with other bands and more fails. All in all interesting read, but to be honest I expected to read more about the band from beginning of 90's until now.

I must say that trough the book Karl gives credit to everybody that helped him to become what he is today, especially to Rick Smith, he sounds like very empathic person, which is rear to see from such a big star.

[Pia Sutherland · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was a really good read. i liked the kind of indirect, rapid-fire-anecdotes/poems/street-photography format it took. Heaps auf info about Hyde and different angles of the music industry and the general situation we are in.

i sympathize with hyde's sleepless and rabid approach to travel and his egomania. awesome girl me too. i also liked the early stages of this book when he was catching rhythms by sitting in steel bins in the rain. so lekker.

above all the best part of this book was the constant song/album reccommendations in the footers! i'm going to have to page through these again tonight :-p

[UnderseaDavis · Rating 4 out of 5]

hair cut, like a fish

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the surface, this is the very personal story of Karl Hyde’s struggle to become a successful musician. Underneath, though, is a series of excellent musical recommendations that will keep you busy for days.