Miserable Youth: The Chronicle of Lovely Little Lonely

by John O'Callaghan, Pat Kirch, Garrett Nickelsen

Genres: Music

93 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2017

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting this book, I wasn't quite sure what it was that I would be reading. I knew it would involve these awesome, creative guys from The Maine talking about the process of how their album, Lovely, Little, Lonely came to be but as I began reading I realized it was much more than that. Singer/song writer, John O'Callaghan, begins this journal with what was happening on the first day he began writing for the new album. Towards the end of his first entry he says, "Words are extremely powerful things. Momentum feels as though it's on our side, we just have to move some stars and write some tunes in hopes they align." The music that John O'Callaghan, Pat Kirch, Kennedy Brock, Jared Monaco, and Garrett Nickelsen create, makes the listener feel something much more than just a beat or hear something more than just a catchy chorus. Their songs can connect you to how you felt in past memories, how you are currently feeling with where you are at in your life, and how you want to feel in the days to come. John ends the journal with the words, "I hope it makes you feel like we did when making it... like wherever you are is exactly where you need to be." For them, it is not just about getting music out there. It's about creating music that they are proud of, that they hope their fans are proud of, and creating a family with their fans. "8123, means everything to me." - We All Roll Along

[Luna Itza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miserable Youth: The Chronicles of Lovely, Little, Lonely • written by a band called The Maine • this one sat in my tbr pile for quite the while. I wanted to hold off reading it until I knew I was in the right headspace to indulge in words written by some of the most influential individuals ever to grace my eyes and ears <3 it’s a quick read, but I knew that already. I spaced it out in three sittings to make sure I took every little detail in about how they came to make LLL in 2016. One of my favorite albums they’ve ever made. I wasn’t sure what to expect exactly, and to my surprise was extremely personal, seeing all of John’s handwritten journals from start to end. I used to follow him on tumblr way back in the day, where he would be posting random excerpts of poems and reflections. It had been a good minute since reading his work in a non-musical lense. He’s so thoughtful and just real, two things i prize in all people. This album creeped up on me in 2017 as I was going through some pretty big changes in my life. I think it was the summertime when I first really heard it start to end. And later that fall, I see them perform this entire album, yes ENTIRE ALBUM with American Candy, also in its entirety!! for the Modern Nostalgia Tour In Austin at Emo’s. I danced, I cried, and screamed my lungs out to every single lyric because no one is quite like The Maine. I couldn’t be able to pinpoint it to you why, but they’re different. I’ve been riding the wave with them since 2013 when they were headlining nsn. Their sound has changed so much with every release and I have always been here for it. They continue to surprise me and one day, ONE DAY… I’m going to get this album tattooed onto me. Whether it’s LLL or Lovely Little Luna. One day 🫧💗

[readwithmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was amazing to be able to read John's thought process through the creation of Lovely Little Lonely. All fans of the Maine will appreciate this book and how open they all are in their thoughts.

[emily &#x1fab4; · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first ordered this book, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from it. I thought it'd be much like John's book for John the Ghost, but it was a little different. Miserable Youth chronicled Lovely Little Lonely from start to finish through John's journal entries and occasional notes from Pat, Garrett, Kennedy, and Jared about different songs and moments that were important to the finished album. There were so many beautiful things shared throughout this book and really gave fans of the band a chance to see what the creative process was like for the album. At the end of the book, I felt extremely connected to all the members and gained a lot of sense into what music, and particularly, this album means to each of them. I think after finishing this that I can really understand everything that went into this and experience it the way the band wanted us to. This books showed so much heart, despite it being so short in length, and I can't thank The Maine enough for letting us all see into these moments of their lives.


"Here's to now, and nothing else"

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS MY FAVORITE PERSON IN THE UNIVERSE, WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?