Review / Book Review
James Kennedy
Noise Damage: My Life as a Rock'n'Roll Underdog

Eye Books (2020) — T

James Kennedy – Noise Damage: My Life as a Rock'n'Roll Underdog cover artwork
James Kennedy – Noise Damage: My Life as a Rock'n'Roll Underdog — Eye Books, 2020

Noise Damage is the personal account of James Kennedy on his trials and tribulations navigating his evolution and experiences with the music industry, which saw him rise, become revered and headhunted before the phonographic industry ultimately crashed and imploded.

Familiarity with James Kennedy, his oeuvre or his band Kyshera is not a pre-requisite for being instantaneously drawn into the maelstrom that is Kennedy’s gripping story.

There is no doubt that anyone remotely into making music would be able to relate to Kennedy hustling his way to critical acclaim, which is paved with grim incidents, back stabbings, exposure to shady characters and a life without any resemblance of stability.

The fact that Kennedy finds a way to portray the ups and downs of his travails in an authentic manner without having to rely on gimmicky name dropping or outlandish hyperboles, adds depth and personality to his writings.

Peppered with tongue-in-cheek witticisms, valuable lessons are being delivered without running danger of sounding self-righteous or holier-than-thou.

An enjoyable, funny, emotional and painfully honest book that will appeal to both music enthusiasts as well as the uninitiated as it is an ode to magic of music and the way one’s life is enriched by it.

7.0 / 10 — T • March 1, 2021

James Kennedy – Noise Damage: My Life as a Rock'n'Roll Underdog cover artwork
James Kennedy – Noise Damage: My Life as a Rock'n'Roll Underdog — Eye Books, 2020

Recently-posted album reviews

Softjaw

Love Can't Kill You
Bachelor Records, Dandy Boy Records (2026)

I already wrote about these dudes in my mid-year top 5 since Oakland’s Dandy Boy Records released a compilation of their early digital singles back in April, and here they are following it up with a 12-song album of all new material! This second release proves Long Beach’s Softjaw have a masters in powerpop from the school of rock. I’m … Read more

Fontaines D.C.

Dopamine Chamber
XL Recordings (2026)

ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS – “Tongue”, “Where Is Gone?”, “You Miss Me”, “Japan”If you’ve been here from the start, Fontaines D.C. will always conjure up gritty, political poetry and clashing, driving rhythms. Third album Skinty Fia, the defining breakthrough moment and fan favourite, gave them their first number one record in the UK and Ireland in 2022 – but can they improve … Read more

DeeCracks

True Nothing
Pirates Press (2026)

Let’s get crazy and out of control! That’s what the opening line of the album instructs us to do and I’m inclined to listen. I am new to the DeeCRACKS party and I’m not sure how I missed them. Celebrating 20 years in 2023, the band released 20 Years. A Frantic Effort, and I’m sure this newest release fully delivers … Read more