As One: Remaking Suede by Rodge Glass Reviewed

This is as spoiler-free a review as possible. Links to buy below.

‘This is a true version of Suede’s second life’ says Rodge, ‘But it won’t be the only one’.

We’re still in the introduction when Rodge nails a fundamental truth about this book, and probably any record of events where there are so many participants. No two people ever see things quite the same, it will take a sure touch to guide us through 16 years of creation, and perhaps more chaos than we previously knew. We are in steady hands.

As One begins with the Suede hiatus. The wilderness years were tough on them all, with the possible exception of Simon, if his tenure in Futon was as much riotous fun as they were on record; I say possible as Simon is a silent figure throughout, having declined to be interviewed for the project. The other 4 members of Suede are quoted throughout, as are many key stakeholders in the story.

After that brief introduction the book roughly follows a chronological path through the reunion years. It starts with the lead up to the 2010 Royal Albert Hall show, and ends with 2025’s Southbank Takeover. If you thought there was nothing new to say about either, wrong. One of the biggest joys of this book, for me, is that there are always nuggets of new information to be learned, often in the wonderful footnotes that appear throughout.

This being a book about the ‘anti-nostalgia band’, Bernard is rarely mentioned post Tears except in the context of the long shadow he cast over Richard’s career. Let’s hope the nomination of Antidepressants for the prestigious Mercury Prize is the final nail in the coffin for a trope that got tired within the first 5 seconds of ‘Trash’.  

Rodge takes us on a deep dive into the writing and recording process for each of the 5 reunion albums. The gestation of Night Thoughts appears to have been especially fraught; described as ‘a fucking nightmare’ by more than one member of the band. ‘I Don’t Know How To Reach You’ could equally have applied to band relationships, or, at least, those between the writing triumvirate. It is this dynamic above all that Rodge explores, as well as fascinating insight into the often-complicated dialogue between the band and Ed Buller (now there’s a [n auto] biography that needs to be written), most especially with Brett. In summary: dysfunctional but it works. 

If Autofiction or Antidepressants was your introduction or re-introduction to Suede, this book will immediately make you want to listen to the previous 3 albums. Even if Suede took over your life post-Bloodsports, prepare to dive back in. Honestly: couldn’t disagree more with some of the assessments of their own work. We all have our own opinions and there were several sharp intakes of breath when a fiercely loved song gets dismissed. It will happen to you, too. But that’s the joy of music generally. Taste differs. You know, there really are people out there who hate Suede, poor things.

As One will make listening to the records a richer, rounder experience in future. Read the darker parts in full, in context. Learn a little about the people behind the personas. Learn a lot about the writing and recording process, how these wonderful albums were created.

Ultimately, if you have found your way here to this site, you are already invested enough in Suede to need to read this book. I enjoyed As One enormously, it’s engrossing, enlightening and occasionally enraging. It’s 381 pages discussing the best band in the world. It’s the libretto of the second soundtrack to our lives, the mature yin to Love and Poison’s youthful yang, equally essential, required, reading. Can’t wait to debate it endlessly with you all. 

Read it for yourself: pre-order here. As One is released on August 27th.

Hear it for yourself: pre-order/save the audiobook. Audible Spotify

Bag a copy early at the Union Chapel event August 19th.