It Feels So Good When I Stop

In summer of 2009, Joe Pernice released his first novel, IT FEELS SO GOOD WHEN I STOP. The story revolves around the main character's coming of age and tentative (and often woefully inadequate) steps into adulthood. Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of musical references weaved into the plot and even a fictional band (The Young Accuser) that the protagonist leads and leaves at one point. This CD is Pernice's "soundtrack" of sorts to his writing debut; it features Pernice covering songs mentioned on the book (and songs by bands who are mentioned in the book) that range from classics ("I Go to Pieces") to cheese ("Chevy Van") to pure-bred soul ("I'm Your Puppet") to slightly more modern songs (Dream Syndicate's "Tell Me When It's Over"). It's not essential Pernice by any stretch but as a soundtrack to the novel, it works just fine and it's relaxed charm makes it worth hearing even if you don't read the book and are just a fan of the man's music.