"Empire of Dirt is one of the smartest books about pop music to emerge from academia - or anywhere else - in years" - Seattle Weekly

"...great fun, with excellent and recognisable analyses..." - Guardian Newspaper

"...after reading Empire of Dirt, you'll never be able to look at bands, fans and all the myriad clubcrawlers again in the same light." - Harp Magazine

"Reading Empire of Dirt is a potent experience in that it transforms the reader from participant to observer..." - PopMatters

"But perhaps the most illuminating chapters of Fonarow's work address the audience at indie rock shows... you'll be highly amused to discover which zone you fit into, and how easy it is to predict it based on your age, profession and experience at gigs." - Nashville Scene

"...a stimulating 'tween-set read" - Robert Christgau, Village Voice

"...offers a wealth of insight into the internal workings of American indie-rock audiences..." - Time Out New York

"...a cogent and often perceptive look... surprisingly insightful." - New York Times (registration required)

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