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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Bangs asserts that the live music sounds similar to the studio music except there are long and pointless ______.

2. Bangs comes to like the song ______, which he first had dismissed as so much noise.

3. Rock crowds had become convinced that bands were supposed to be objects of ______.

4. Bangs describes another band, _____, that was able to step into using a freestyle approach partly due to the fact that barely knew how to play their instruments.

5. One group that Bangs felt did use a more freestyle approach was ________, but they were among the few.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jon Landau do in response to the way that Lester Bangs writes about music, according to the essay?

2. What does Bangs believe the song "Wild Thing" causes the listeners to do, or to at least consider doing in their lives?

3. What does Bangs believe about the show of David Bowie when he goes to promote it in his work?

4. What is the old man in the first essay trying to explain to his children, though Lester Bangs is the one who wrote it?

5. While Bangs doesn't disagree with the assessment of the Stooges, what does he believe the value of their music is?

6. What does Bangs believe the reasoning behind Iggy Pop's diving into the audience and other stage antics?

7. What does Bang argue is the recipe for making rock and roll good again, according to his essay?

8. When there is speculation as to whether a song like "Wild Thing" could be written anymore, what does Bangs speculate?

9. What do other critics besides Lester Bangs have to say about the Stooges, a band that Bangs adores?

10. What does Bangs explain to be the meaning of the band name, The Troggs, when he starts this section?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

From the outside, it might look like Bangs is more of a music snob than he appears to be, only favoring indie rock.

Part 1: Why do you think Bangs prefers indie rock bands?

Part 2: Why do you think Bangs tends to be repulsed by popular music and popular bands?

Part 3: Do you think there is a 'true' music form that should be listened to over others?

Essay Topic 2

Bangs discusses himself and his life as well, as though it connected to the music lifestyle.

Part 1: Do you think it's self-indulgent to talk about oneself as a writer?

Part 2: Why do you think Bangs decides to share some personal information about himself?

Part 3: Do you think readers would respect Bangs more if he shared less of himself and of his life?

Essay Topic 3

Bangs seems to think that music and rock and roll should not be revered for being technically great.

Part 1: Does music have to be done well in order to be enjoyable?

Part 2: How do you think music is hindered by the structure of notes and time keeping?

Part 3: Why do you think Bangs believes music should be free to experiment?

(see the answer keys)

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