Everything

by Henry Rollins

Everything is a 1996 spoken word album by Henry Rollins. Everything is the audiobook of Rollins' book Eye Scream which was written over a period of nine years from 1986 to 1995. Eye Scream covers a vast number of social issues over that time period including racism, homophobia, and police brutality. The album features Rollins' spoken word accompanied by jazz musicians Charles Gayle and Rashied Ali

Genres: Biography

Audiobook

First published July 1, 1996

About the author

Henry Rollins (born Henry Lawrence Garfield; often referred to simply as Rollins) is an American singer-songwriter, spoken word artist, author, actor and publisher.

After joining the short-lived Washington, D.C. band State of Alert in 1980, Rollins fronted the Californian hardcore punk band Black Flag from 1981 until 1986. Following the band's breakup, Rollins soon established the record label and publishing company 2.13.61 to release his spoken word albums, as well as forming the Rollins Band, which toured with a number of lineups until 2003 and during 2006.

Since Black Flag, Rollins has embarked on projects covering a variety of media. He has hosted numerous radio shows, such as The Henry Rollins Show and Harmony In My Head, and television shows, such as MTV's 120 Minutes and Jackass, along with roles in several films. Rollins has also campaigned for human rights in the United States, promoting gay rights in particular, and tours overseas with the United Service Organizations to entertain American troops.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A free verse exploration of the urban decay that has wormed into us all - mature audience. Henry Rollins is a great example of what I call the 'outside observer'; someone who looks at society from an almost anthropological perspective - making totemic connections that the collective 'we' often fails to see due to proximal blindness.

[Harvey Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contains one of my favorite Rollins lines: "The rent is always due around here."
Heavy and insightful and jaded.

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not really sure how to classify this book. Biography? Philosophy? Memoir? Tone Poem? A little of everything?

I'm still a big Rollins fan, but I'm finding his books to be a bit tedious. I liked Get in the Van, since it had the focus of being in Black Flag, but the rest is just ... meandering isn't the right word, since there seems to be a sense to what he's writing, but it does feel like stream-of-consciousness.

That isn't what lowers this to two stars, though. I just can't get behind the nihilism and violence that permeates his non-spoken-word work. When I was in my twenties, I think I found it more attractive, but now I just feel like it's excessive. There's also this weird "sensitive machismo" thing that comes out of it, since Rollins is progressive and empathetic, but also postures a lot in the way he writes.

I might try a couple more books of his, if they're more memoir than ... whatever this is ... but if they're all like this, I might be done with them.

[Ietrio · Rating 4 out of 5]

2024-05-08:

i love rollins' bios. the energy in them. i don't remember reading anything as alive as that. i like his ideas too, even if there are some things i do not agree with. heck. 2024 rollins probably has some things he does not agree with from the bios.

this is poetry. it is good. but it lacks the vitality of the prose. these are thoughts, and not observations.

> how many diseases you can count on that man's face? humiliation, shame, rage... how much more can you take?

[J.J. Ulizio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Free verse musings on a wide array of topics from homosexuality and police to drug use and the struggles of day to day life from Henry Rollins. From a time period in his life where he is a lot more aggravated, depressed and upset in the world around him. Recommend for people whom are already fans of his. Would not recommend to someone new him not a good entry point.

[Daniel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rollins tried too hard to sound like an edgelord, the work comes across as forced and inauthentic.

[Timo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rough and arty with jazzy sounds.

[Benjamin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Free form poetry by Henry Rollins. Very pretty, somtimes disturbing, but worth the read if you are a poetry and/or Henry Rollins aspirant.

[Joseph Schlag · Rating 2 out of 5]

rough and at times horrific