Afternoons with the Blinds Drawn

By: Brett Anderson

Narrated by: Brett Anderson

The trajectory of Suede - hailed in infancy as both 'The Best New Band in Britain' and 'effete southern wankers' - is recalled with moving candour by its frontman Brett Anderson, whose vivid memoir swings seamlessly between the tender, witty, turbulent, euphoric and bittersweet.

Suede began by treading the familiar jobbing route of London's emerging new 1990s indie bands - gigs at ULU, the Camden Powerhaus and the Old Trout in Windsor - and the dispiriting experience of playing a set to an audience of one. But in these halcyon days, their potential was undeniable. Anderson's creative partnership with guitarist Bernard Butler exposed a unique and brilliant hybrid of lyric and sound; together they were a luminescent team - burning brightly and creating some of the era's most revered songs and albums.

In Afternoons with the Blinds Drawn, Anderson unflinchingly explores his relationship with addiction, heartfelt in the regret that early musical bonds were severed, and clear-eyed on his youthful persona.

'As a young man...I oscillated between morbid self-reflection and vainglorious narcissism', he states. His honesty, sharply self-aware and articulate tone makes this a compelling autobiography and a brilliant insight into one of the most significant bands of the last quarter century.

©2019 Brett Anderson (P)2019 Hachette Audio UK

Critic reviews

"A compelling personal account of the dramas of a singular British band." (Neil Tennant)

Engaging and distant at the same time

The first couple of chapters I thought this was going to be a disappointment but I quickly became engaged and immersed in the narrative of the fascinating story of one of my all time favorite bands.

It’s very gracious and humble of Brett to acknowledge his mistakes and more importantly the work of Bernard, Richard, Neil and even Tony Hoffer amongst other, offering sincere apologies for the treatment he might have given them.

Only non-positive observation (and probably what almost made me drop the audiobook in the first 2 chapters) was that Brett’s reading felt monotonous at times, a bit lacking in passion. I get it he’s no Stephen Fry but listening to Peter Hook’s “Substance” is in a way more entertaining without sacrificing the historical value of the product.

I too wish Brett had included a chapter on their return with Bloodsports at least. Night Thoughts and The Blue Hour we’re too close to the release of the book to have included them. Maybe on a new edition

Still, I’d recommend this audiobook if you don’t mind the narration being a bit distant.

Great. Brett narrating makes this

Without Brett Anderson narrating I would’ve probably just read this book.
Hearing him tell his story with such honesty and hearing the intonation in his voice as he recalls difficult moments made the listening that much more enjoyable.

A Must Read For Burgeoning Muscians

Brett clearly wants to be known as a wordsmith; I appreciate this part of his persona; the detail-packed in this work will ultimately be the abiding feature of it. He is serious about his art, has a wicked sense of humor, and appears to be VERY self-aware.

I’m glad Brett wrote this book. It’s important as it very much highlights the, in his words, prosaic nature of being in a band, band dynamics, paranoia, and forced excess. He dismantles the ego-laden s**t head w**k fest self-appointed legend narrative of the entire rock biog bookshelf.

Story behind notable tracks

I could listen to Brett Anderson speak or sing all day. Suede defines so much of the visceral ambiance of my desultory 90’s youth. There is magic in those tracks. The musical version of arms that held and understood you. When you get it, you get it.

Book/Audiobook of The Year

For me, Suede was one of those life-altering bands that had made a major impact. After reading and thoroughly enjoying Anderson's first book, I was looking forward to his chronicle of the halcyon years for his band, from the pinnacle of success to the sputtering halt in 2002. I ended up purchasing the Kindle edition and the audiobook so that I could be fully invested in absorbing every word. In a descriptive, almost prose-like style, Anderson took me on a journey that started with the euphoria and success of the first album to the lackadaisical ambivalence of their fifth release. Anderson details the relationship with Bernard Butler and how things went astray, which was amazing to me because I always wanted to know what truly happened. Truly not your typical autobiography, which was appreciated. Left me looking forward to the next one by Anderson, if there is going to be one more. Hope so.

Fantastic

Afternoon With the Blinds Drawn is sublime and every bit as great as Coal Black Mornings, which I did not think would be possible. Highly recommended.