Rock of Pages: Terrible Hostess Volume II
Carolyn Mark is, somewhat unfortunately for her solo career, best known for her work with Neko Case. Actually, it seems like every artist who works with Neko Case — be it Ms Mark, Jon Rauhouse, the New Pornographers, or the Sadies — seems to end up being labeled “frequent Neko Case collaborator.”
Well, let’s ignore all that. Let’s ignore Mark’s musical workings altogether, in fact. I’ll mention the fact that she has a new album out this week on Mint Records, and its title is Let’s Just Stay Here.
That’s it, however. We’re here to talk about Mark’s cookbook, Terrible Hostess: Recipes for Disaster Volume II.
More a zine than a cookbook proper, as it’s just 30 pages stapled with a cardstock cover, this is perhaps one of the most entertaining reads about recipes you’ll find. It’s a slim volume that I could easily see myself reading over and over again. The recipes are actual recipes, but have a certain poetry in their lackadaisical approach. Case in point: the recipe for “Miss Laura’s Whisky Cake” contains the following lines:
“Pour in whisky to taste. Aw what the hell…add a little more. (No one’s looking & you’ve been working hard…Have a belt for yourself.)”
The attitude carries over to the timing of the recipes. The first recipe in Terrible Hostess Volume II is timed to Herschell Gordon Lewis’ She-Devils On Wheels. Most recipes have suggested musical accompaniment, as well as their alcoholic counterparts. There’s quite a few drink recipes in here, too.
Mark’s wit shines through in this book, and you’ll be able to read through the whole thing in one sitting — perhaps while listening to her new album, done with NQ Arbuckle? You’ll be a little more amenable to the release when you’ve got Mark’s prose in your eyes. I love her music, but Arbuckle’s vocals overpower Mark’s on most songs, and it’s not as enjoyable as it could’ve been.
