Deathbeds

by Wesley Eisold

Deathbeds is a 176 page perfect-bound paper back collection of Eisold's work from 1999-2007.

Genres: Poetry

176 pages, Perfect Bound

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure I would have liked this book the same way if I didn't know who Wes Eisold was or if I didn't feel sentimental about hardcore. I have never forgotten two things about this book: the image of his stomach as a white cake, and a short story about opening up the panel of the bathroom stall to forbidden worlds. I enjoyed Deathbeds for the voyeurism inherent in reading the once-private writings of someone you idolized in a different context. The book is at its best when the writing is honest and new. The book is at its worst when the stories fade into old lyrics, whether or not you liked the songs, whether or not you could sing the words by heart. Lyrics aren't poetry or prose. Without the driving beat of the music you lose the energy that made the words connect and the sentiments real.

[Destroydecay · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a poet, this book isn't great. However, knowing who Wes is, it makes sense lol.

[Brendan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hardcore lyrics as poetry: something few people other than Wesley Eisold could pull off.

[Kyle Gunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great example of the difference between poet and lyricist, which I think Wes is stronger at.

[Molly Poole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this non-traditional take on a poetry book that reads almost like a diary. I really appreciate his talent for taking some of life’s most undesirable moments and writing about them in ways you don’t want to stop reading. I’ve been a fan of Wesley’s for some time now and have followed his work with American Nightmare, Cold Cave, and Some Girls and reading this book, in a way, made me feel like I had an exclusive front row seat to his life, during the early years of his career, and his struggle gaining traction in his personal life.

[Austin Gaines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read if you dig the guy's bands. I think he's a great vocalist and lyricist so I dig the book. If you don't think the same then you probably won't dig it.

[Codycvlp · Rating 4 out of 5]

when American Nightmare was active i purposely stayed away because people jocked them too much (rightfully so), i had all of their albums but never invested my true time into it, fast forward to the end of 2025 like mentioned earlier, American Nightmare were / are really great, hardcore lyrics transitioned into poems or vice versa is something special and reading this collection of writings now has only made me appreciate the band and wes immensely rather than had i gave it my time back then.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

For fans of Richard Brautigan.

I really enjoyed the poems and the short story inside. I’m really glad that some the AN lyrics were included because they are poems no matter other people say. Would recommend to someone who wants to get into poetry.