Taken by Storm, Storm Thorgerson (Vision On)

When it coves to the (dying) art of the album cover, there are designers and there is Storm Thorgerson. As the mainman behind England’s legendary art production house Hipgnosis, Thorgerson led the way with many of the most famous album covers of the 70’s and 80’s. Led Zeppelin, 10cc and most notably Pink Floyd all used Thorgerson to conjure up images that were both surreal and cerebral and lent an enormous aire of importance to both the artist and the music inside. From Ummagumma to Houses of the Holy to the Lamb Lies Down on Broadway to Dark Side of the Moon (!), Thorgerson’s work put these albums on the highest of pedestal’s, and deservedly so. (Even his recent work with Muse, Mars Volta and Audioslave bears his completely unique imprint to this day.) In this, his latest collection, the artist recalls the tales that went into each piece of work with insight and absolute candor. And some of the stories of how these remarkable images were created are quite revealing and downright legendary! (Did you know, for example, that Led Zeppelin had another name for the ‘Prescence’ album until they saw Storm’s work with ‘the object’, that wasn’t an object at all, but rather a hole – something not ‘present’ at all!) We had the occasion to meet up with Thorgerson the other night at a gallery opening in Hollywood and suffice it to say that we were blown away by the assembled images that when combined together represent one man’s remarkable achievement. For those who will miss the touring show (this time, it’s the complete artworks of Pink Floyd) if you have any interest in what was once a most important field – album cover art – do not miss ‘Taken by Storm.’ We surely were. Tim Devine

Capitol Offense, Mike Doogan (Putnam)

Just under a decade ago in Juneau, he was considered one of Anchorage’s best police detectives; than a night of off duty drinking led to his shooting a twelve year old boy, who a witness claimed was unarmed. Convicted he spent seven years in prison with the end of his reputation. Freed early because the witness admitted he lied as the kid carried, he recently was exonerated, but his wife who stood by him during the trial and incarceration is divorcing him and the APD refuses to take him back. Fiftyish Nik Kane has become a private investigator.

His former boss Police Chief Jeffords hires him to find proof that Native Alaskan state legislator Matthew Hope did not kill the beautiful young assistant. All the circumstantial evidence points in his direction. As he begins to dig around the capital, his estranged son, working as a summer intern there, rejects any contact with him. Meanwhile someone wants Nik to stop his inquiry and that someone has arranged beatings of the sleuth and threatens more than just bodily harm. Nik knows he has frightened the person he assumes is the real culprit.

Juneau is a refreshing change as most Alaskan mysteries showcase the stark beauty of the state’s vast wilderness. The story line is fast-paced although the plot has been done many times before albeit in the Lower Forty-eight. Nik is an interesting acrimonious individual as he knows he needs to move past his bitterness but finds it impossible not to react with sarcasm and childish anger. Fans of Alaskan mysteries will enjoy his second escapade (see LOST ANGEL) even if he follows his gut more than the clues. – Harriet Klausner