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Dear Future Historians: Lyrics and exegesis of Rou Reynolds for the music of Enter Shikari 2006--2019
Dear Future Historians: Lyrics and Exegesis of Rou Reynolds for the Music of Enter Shikari 2006--2019 charts the lyrical creativity of the hardcore rock-metal band, through their five hugely successful albums.
Bringing together the popular 2017 limited hardback edition Dear Future Historians and 2018 limited paperback The Spark, this updated and expanded edition is essential for any Enter Shikari fan.
Bringing together the popular 2017 limited hardback edition Dear Future Historians and 2018 limited paperback The Spark, this updated and expanded edition is essential for any Enter Shikari fan.
- GenresNonfictionMusic
272 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2019
25 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 6, 2019
As a relatively 'die hard' Shikari fan for 11 years now I have spent hundreds of hours listening to their music. I've always been inspired by Rou's lyrics and they have given me massive mental boosts at points in my life that I'd say looking back were times that I needed them the most. This book is a gold mine for me, going back to days of Take To The Skies was a dream come true (although it's a slight shame he didn't talk about the demos and the time in Hybryd). I read the personal introduction on the first page, the lyrics to Enter Shikari and half of the essay before I got a little tingle. I was elated, thinking 'oh my god I can't believe how good this is', then I realised that there isn't an essay for every song and the selection of songs to write about seemed somewhat arbitrary. No essays about 'Kickin Back on The Surface of Your Cheek' or 'Return to Energiser' - but plenty of pictures. I also feel as though Rou has tried consciously to contain himself and not let his feelings splurge out onto the page. If I'm right, I understand why he wrote the way he did and said the things he said wanting to remain integral and not get carried away with divulging about his emotions, but looking up to Rou the way that I have, that is exactly what I would have loved.
May 20, 2020
Loved this. Made me look at certain songs in a new way, and appreciate how smart Rou is.
Read
January 23, 2025The context that this book has given to so many beloved songs is astounding. Songs that I loved and felt emotional over have even deeper meaning now after finding out, just maybe, the author of such fantastic words experienced something I have - and wrote a song that reminds me of it. As is the case for Ode to lost jigsaw pieces, I see now that those inspiring words so drenched in pain and hope really hurt me more because they discussed the very thing I'd tied to it.
I am definitely overly in love with this band, but the essence of these songs now written with context in this book will have me relistening and rereading time and time again.
A book for every shikari fan, even those who are less involved or interested than others. And if you love music and compassionate politics, especially in current times, this band and book is for you.
I am definitely overly in love with this band, but the essence of these songs now written with context in this book will have me relistening and rereading time and time again.
A book for every shikari fan, even those who are less involved or interested than others. And if you love music and compassionate politics, especially in current times, this band and book is for you.
December 28, 2025
I got to know Enter Shikari after „The Spark“ came out and shortly after saw them live around 2019. This album easily became my favorite album of all time, across all artists, and it still is today. The impact this album had on me is hard to put in words. To now read about all the thoughts that went into this album, and also in all the previous songs and different records, is such a beautiful addition to my already existing love for Enter Shikari.
Rou truly knows how to use language to express his thoughts, convictions, and hopes. As expected, the book is rich in social criticism, addressing issues such as climate change, mental health, and current political problems. But he never loses the sight of possibility and hope towards the future and sneaks in some funny comments here and there.
Rou truly knows how to use language to express his thoughts, convictions, and hopes. As expected, the book is rich in social criticism, addressing issues such as climate change, mental health, and current political problems. But he never loses the sight of possibility and hope towards the future and sneaks in some funny comments here and there.
January 30, 2024
Absolute must-read for every Enter Shikari fan. Completely changes the way one understands the lyrics. I wish I could read this for the first time once more. 🔻🔻🔻
June 7, 2019
Pros: fun to listen to the records and read along. Some interesting tidbits.
Cons: Sadly not every song has an essay and a few of my favourites are missing. A little self-congratulatory in places. Maybe a die-hard Shikari fan would get a little more out of this than I did.
Cons: Sadly not every song has an essay and a few of my favourites are missing. A little self-congratulatory in places. Maybe a die-hard Shikari fan would get a little more out of this than I did.
February 23, 2021
Oh my god, where do I start? I've been a fan of Enter Shikari for quite some times now, never a hardcore fan tho. I saw them a couple of times live, but never traveled to see them as I did for other bands. Nevertheless seeing this band live is something different and they're 100% one of my favourite bands and 200% one of my Top 5 Live Acts.
When I came across that band, my English wasn't perfect, but I adored the sound of "A Flash Flood Of Colour" without paying too much attention on to the lyrics. But as soon as I did and realising how intense and important these lyrics where, I was struck and in awe. I started to like the band even more.
Reading this book remembered me of the time when I still bought CDs, listening to the music while browing through the booklet of the record and reading the lyrcis. A practise that somehow fell out of fashion, especially with having Spotify on the high rise (but also with many vinyl being solled without proper booklets these days, such a shame!).
Of course not every song within this book get's its own essay, which is a shame but somehow also understandable. Interesting to mention is that "The Spark" did not only get an introduction but also an essay for each song of the record (and also the longest). I understand this fact, while this chapter was later added to this renewed edition. (And it hasn't been included in the first edition: Dear Future Historians: Lyrics and Exegesis of Rou Reynolds for the Music of Enter Shikari)
Since I started to pay attention to Rous lyrics, I started to adore him for writing them (and I don't adore many guys for the lyrcis in music - maybe only Rou and Matt Berninger) and reading this book and the background story, his thoughts and inspirations just made me fall in love even more (with him as an artist). I'm impressed.
Also I loved browsing through this book, the quality is amazing, the choice of live photos make me concerts even more and listening to the music, while reading the lyrics and essays was the first kind of "listening to music" I did this year. (Because it makes me feel way too emotional with not being able to see my friends and going to gigs).
Conclusion: This was just the book I needed to start the year with. My only reason for reading "so slowly" is that I didn't want it to end. If you like the band you should def get your hands on this book.
When I came across that band, my English wasn't perfect, but I adored the sound of "A Flash Flood Of Colour" without paying too much attention on to the lyrics. But as soon as I did and realising how intense and important these lyrics where, I was struck and in awe. I started to like the band even more.
Reading this book remembered me of the time when I still bought CDs, listening to the music while browing through the booklet of the record and reading the lyrcis. A practise that somehow fell out of fashion, especially with having Spotify on the high rise (but also with many vinyl being solled without proper booklets these days, such a shame!).
Of course not every song within this book get's its own essay, which is a shame but somehow also understandable. Interesting to mention is that "The Spark" did not only get an introduction but also an essay for each song of the record (and also the longest). I understand this fact, while this chapter was later added to this renewed edition. (And it hasn't been included in the first edition: Dear Future Historians: Lyrics and Exegesis of Rou Reynolds for the Music of Enter Shikari)
Since I started to pay attention to Rous lyrics, I started to adore him for writing them (and I don't adore many guys for the lyrcis in music - maybe only Rou and Matt Berninger) and reading this book and the background story, his thoughts and inspirations just made me fall in love even more (with him as an artist). I'm impressed.
Also I loved browsing through this book, the quality is amazing, the choice of live photos make me concerts even more and listening to the music, while reading the lyrics and essays was the first kind of "listening to music" I did this year. (Because it makes me feel way too emotional with not being able to see my friends and going to gigs).
Conclusion: This was just the book I needed to start the year with. My only reason for reading "so slowly" is that I didn't want it to end. If you like the band you should def get your hands on this book.
September 28, 2024
I'm a massive ES fan, so don't expect this review to be neutral.
I never expected myself enjoying a book like this. Apart from the lyrics, their exegesis, and some thoughts, that don't go far beyond the discussed topics, there's nothing much more to it. Yet, Reynolds manages to give the reader an elaborate insight into the lyrics, themes and backgrounds, that baffled me at times.
Usually, I'm an advocate for the free interpretation of any kind of art, since art surely can and even will spark emotions in the inclined recipient. Thus, art can't always be pinned down to a certain meaning. The original is episodes of the web-series 'Don't hug me I'm scared' are a beautiful example of this idea (considering the greater theme).
Nonetheless, the book gives a great framework for the lyrics, the authors thoughts and the changes throughout their history, that may open new ways of looking at the songs. Like how the wording and the topics changed as the band transformed from a collective that toured under the premise 'When did the future switch from being a promise to being a thread?' to 'The Spark' that mostly deal with personal topics.
I think it's a shame, that most of their earlier work doesn't get the same detailed treatment as their newer stuff. But it's understandable, since probably only few people could remember their exact motives after more than a decade. I don't know why some people expected some kind of biography.
This book is essential for every die-hard fan, trust me. If you want to get into their music, I can only recommend 'Common Dreads', 'A Flashfloof of Colour', 'The Spark' or 'Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible', as these are their most consistent LPs, imo.
I never expected myself enjoying a book like this. Apart from the lyrics, their exegesis, and some thoughts, that don't go far beyond the discussed topics, there's nothing much more to it. Yet, Reynolds manages to give the reader an elaborate insight into the lyrics, themes and backgrounds, that baffled me at times.
Usually, I'm an advocate for the free interpretation of any kind of art, since art surely can and even will spark emotions in the inclined recipient. Thus, art can't always be pinned down to a certain meaning. The original is episodes of the web-series 'Don't hug me I'm scared' are a beautiful example of this idea (considering the greater theme).
Nonetheless, the book gives a great framework for the lyrics, the authors thoughts and the changes throughout their history, that may open new ways of looking at the songs. Like how the wording and the topics changed as the band transformed from a collective that toured under the premise 'When did the future switch from being a promise to being a thread?' to 'The Spark' that mostly deal with personal topics.
I think it's a shame, that most of their earlier work doesn't get the same detailed treatment as their newer stuff. But it's understandable, since probably only few people could remember their exact motives after more than a decade. I don't know why some people expected some kind of biography.
This book is essential for every die-hard fan, trust me. If you want to get into their music, I can only recommend 'Common Dreads', 'A Flashfloof of Colour', 'The Spark' or 'Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible', as these are their most consistent LPs, imo.
October 23, 2020
I absolutely adore this book, I feel like its a piece of treasure that I'm so lucky to have. Rou's writing, ideas and perception on the world is always presented with endless understanding, honesty, empathy, critical thinking, intelligence and lots of sources!
There were multiple times throughout reading this that I felt so moved that I had to put the book down for a day or two to let my emotions play out and to integrate the information before continuing on reading. I won't lie, I definitely cried a few times throughout this.
My favourite chapters were The Mindsweep and The Spark, I also enjoyed the little bonus of reading more about Enter Shikari's single Stop the Clocks, which I wasn't expecting to be in there for some reason.
There were a few little errors/typos here and there, but nothing that I couldn't make sense of or that bothered me.
I think this will be a book that I keep coming back to over the years and I can't wait for the day that I next open it up again and have another read of Rou's enchanting words and look over all the lovely, glossy photographs of the band. I really hope that Rou writes another book or makes an updated version of this one to include songs from Enter Shikari's latest album Nothing is True and Everything is Possible! 🤞🏻
There were multiple times throughout reading this that I felt so moved that I had to put the book down for a day or two to let my emotions play out and to integrate the information before continuing on reading. I won't lie, I definitely cried a few times throughout this.
My favourite chapters were The Mindsweep and The Spark, I also enjoyed the little bonus of reading more about Enter Shikari's single Stop the Clocks, which I wasn't expecting to be in there for some reason.
There were a few little errors/typos here and there, but nothing that I couldn't make sense of or that bothered me.
I think this will be a book that I keep coming back to over the years and I can't wait for the day that I next open it up again and have another read of Rou's enchanting words and look over all the lovely, glossy photographs of the band. I really hope that Rou writes another book or makes an updated version of this one to include songs from Enter Shikari's latest album Nothing is True and Everything is Possible! 🤞🏻
June 22, 2019
Enter Shikari is the one band I've followed closely since the days of being in high school. There's not a song I dislike. I've also seen them live 12 times across the last 11 years and still crave more. After finally meeting Rou one to one in January on their most recent tour, I was so excited to learn more, however from the unexpectedness of the meeting, I rambled like an idiot and felt like I'd partly wasted the opportunity...
This book fixed it all. Most of the questions I was trying to ask are here. After knowing the songs for so long it's so exciting to have a whole new layer to them all, and also having a guide to refer back to. The essays are insightful without rambling. The academic in me was so happy there were references to things. I love that some non album songs are also included. Can't wait for the studio release of Stop The Clocks to come out! I'll definitely be going through this again and again.
This book fixed it all. Most of the questions I was trying to ask are here. After knowing the songs for so long it's so exciting to have a whole new layer to them all, and also having a guide to refer back to. The essays are insightful without rambling. The academic in me was so happy there were references to things. I love that some non album songs are also included. Can't wait for the studio release of Stop The Clocks to come out! I'll definitely be going through this again and again.
June 21, 2021
Since becoming a fan of Enter Shikari in 2010, I have rabidly kept up with every album, single, remix, and teaser they’ve offered. Luckily, I can now add “book” to that list thanks to this incredible deep-dive into Rou’s lyrics. Most songs have an accompanying essay that provide lyrical context, explore ideas further, or reminiscence on the past, which, given Shikari’s stored history, is a lot to cover. If I may be ungrateful and greedy for a second, I do wish every song had an essay only because I wanted to further immerse myself in every one of Rou’s insights. Ultimately, this exegesis delivers much in the way of introspection, appreciation, solidarity, and understanding - not only with the band, but with the world at large. I am forever grateful for the thought, effort, and execution that Enter Shikari have employed throughout their stored career and I eagerly await another such collection down the road.
February 4, 2024
Geweldig om eindelijk meer inzicht te krijgen in de teksten van Enter Shikari. Wat een ongelofelijk uitgebreide woordenschat dat altijd gebruikt wordt, maakt het steeds vreemder dat de band zo groot is als ze is zelfs. Mocht alleen nog wat dieper ingaan bij sommige nummers, al gok ik dat Treatise on Possibility veel meer nog aan uitleg gaat geven dan hier al het geval is.
September 17, 2020
I love Enter Shikari, and it was interesting to understand the meaning and depth behind their songs. However, it was one that really resonated with my current personal situation, and I’ll be using that as my anthem from now on. Long live Shikari!
January 11, 2022
I honestly love Everything about Enter Shikari. Rou is one of my favorite creators and this book was a blast to read through and get a deeper glimpse into his mind and the band.
Highly recommend for fans of the band.
Highly recommend for fans of the band.
March 14, 2024
Just perfect! Being able to read Rou’s essays alongside the lyrics and then listen to the songs afterwards is just a whole other experience. So much more meaning to so many songs that already have such an impact! Loved it, only criticism is that not every song has an essay!
June 8, 2019
Reading about the songs is a gentle reminder of why I fell in love with the music in the first place and Rou also has the ability to make me think about to world in a different way.
February 25, 2021
Must read for all fans!👌👏
December 16, 2021
Really enjoyed the insights and getting a deeper understanding of the songs that I've listened to so much. Gave me an even deeper appreciation for them.
May 4, 2022
Rou Reynolds is one of the only men who earned his rights
April 6, 2025
Incredible.
Wonderful.
Why didn't I read it sooner.
Wonderful.
Why didn't I read it sooner.
December 23, 2021
Easily one of my favorite books. I would recommend for any fans of Enter Shikari, and then recommend everyone else start listening and become fans so they can enjoy this book as much as I did. I'm excited to read the added book going over the songs/lyrics in Shikari's 2020 album "Nothing is True.."
10/10
10/10
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews