In the world of literature, it's not often that a book by a renowned musician and critic falls flat. But that's precisely the case with Robert Forster's Songwriters on the Run. As the frontman of the iconic Go-Betweens and a celebrated music critic, Forster has a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the music industry. Yet, his foray into fiction has left readers and critics alike scratching their heads.
The novel, set in 1991 Queensland, follows the escapades of Mick Woods and Drew Lovelock, two long-maned, rock-star-like musicians in their 30s. After a successful run of international tours and albums, their hopes of reaching the stratosphere are dashed when they're caught with a bag of weed and charged with credit card fraud and driving a stolen car. The story then takes a turn towards the absurd as Mick and Drew find themselves on the run, aided by some oddly helpful inmates.
What makes this book particularly intriguing is the way it intertwines the lives of these songwriters with the music industry. Forster, who is known for his insightful music criticism, seems to have struggled to translate his expertise into a compelling narrative. The prose is overly reliant on dialogue, with little melody or rhythm to keep the reader engaged. The story feels more like a series of events than a well-crafted tale, and the lack of emotional resonance is jarring.
One of the most surprising aspects of the book is the way Forster incorporates real-life lyrics into the narrative. While this adds a layer of authenticity, it also feels like a cop-out, as if Forster is trying to compensate for the lack of original material. The musings on songwriting, in particular, sound AI-generated, and the platitudes about love and life being like a song feel forced and unoriginal.
Forster's strength lies in his ability to capture the essence of Australian scenes and locales. The descriptions of St Kilda in the 1980s and small-town Queensland are vivid and evocative, offering a glimpse into a bygone era. However, these moments are too few and far between, and the reader is left yearning for more.
Despite its flaws, Songwriters on the Run does offer a fascinating insight into the music industry. Forster's experience and knowledge shine through in the nods to music greats and the evocative descriptions of music-making. Yet, the story itself feels like a missed opportunity, and the reader is left wondering what could have been.
In my opinion, Forster's foray into fiction has fallen short of his previous work. The novel feels more like a series of events than a well-crafted tale, and the lack of emotional resonance is jarring. However, for audiophiles and music enthusiasts, the book does offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of songwriters and the music industry. Perhaps, with a bit more polish and refinement, this novel could have been a true masterpiece.
