Colby Witherspoon's first literary criticism since college, titled LET IT TAKE YOU WHERE IT MAY, is an analysis of both the songs and the videos that comprise Guns N' Roses's successful trilogy from 1991-93. Using interviews, biographical information, and a general knowledge of literature and history, he makes a compelling case for the meaning of each carefully selected visual symbol and lyric.
An abbreviated version of this analysis was originally made available for free on the Internet, but this was discontinued with Japanese publishers Handsome House (a subsidiary of Gentosha) published an expanded 213-page volume with full-color illustrations and more in-depth research. You can find it by following this link.
What the Critics Say:
"At its best ... the most in-depth look at Guns N' Roses ever." -Tom Paine, author (The Cathode-Ray Lemonade Exam) "This is something we haven't seen before. Ever." -Glenn Poston, Illinois Entertainer "What makes it all the more fascinating are the baffling trips into biographical data, as if disturbed childhood explains the visual and aural cacophony of these videos." -Wilson Thorndale, Metal Mania "Weird as hell, but brilliant." -Tracii Guns, L.A. Guns (former Guns N' Roses member!) "By far the best thing Japan and Minnesota have ever produced." -Gunther Reynolds, Hardchord Magazine "The social message of Guns N' Roses' music is this: if you can effect change in your own lives, you can change the world. How one sees himself is integral to the spirit of communal wealth, for one sees oneself as less than desirable, they will perhaps shy away from the group. Are we not all comrades?" -Norm Ashenfelt, license-plate collector and editor of Socialist Party monthly The Appeal to Reason "The obsession with familial ties and divorce makes me wish someone wrote an analysis of the analysis--about Colby Witherspoon!" -Wilson Thorndale, Squadron of Deathsquad "Who knew these videos and songs had such depth? I did." -Eric Romano, editor of mygnr.com "Colby Witherspoon has an interesting style of writing and does a decent job at making the videos seem bigger than they actually are." -Gunther Reynolds, Hardchord Magazine "Colby Witherspoon's propensity toward pretension and multisyllabic descriptors veritably predetermine an unpropitious estimation." -Lem Drucker, U.S. World Perspective "A William S. Burroughs novel after entirely too much acid." -Pete Cleaver, Rageahol Tribune "The writing is really good, actually he shows us that you really can do a lot even if your subject matter is weak." -Kai Yoshioka, Sopporo Read Today "An incredible, terrifying tale!" -Publisher's Bi-Monthly
Winner of The People's Choice Award for best nonfiction novel pertaining to glam metal analysis and the Jury Award for most compelling criticism at THE HOKKAIDO METAL FESTIVAL.
Nominated for Best Nonfiction Work and Best Nonfiction Author at MERRILLVILLE RADISSON HOTEL AND STAR PLAZA HEAVY METAL CONVENTION
Official selection at METAL CON 2005
From the back cover of Let It Take You Where It May!
LINKS
Gentosha Homepage
Comprehensive fansite
Official Guns N' Roses Site
Guns N' Roses "Welcome to the Videos" Amazon.com Purchase Page
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Last revised: January 29, 2007