| ALARM carries on the humorously visual narratives of fictional character Mick O'Grady, introduced in Daily's first published novel, Valley (Bend Press, 1998).
Of that novel, RAY GUN MAGAZINE wrote, "Mike Daily packs so many stylish smash cuts into Valley, MTV dulls by comparison."
In ALARM, the humorously visual narrative engages another dimension: the novel includes two full-length CDs: one studio, the other a compilation of live performances featuring Mike Daily's spoken words excerpted from the book and performed with his band, O'GRADY.
ALARM finds O'Grady "settling into unsettlement" in the weeks after the hit on the World Trade Center. He's jobless, watching the news, shaky in his relationship, cautious with friends, curious with strangers. He's lost. But as the story progresses, his movements become more purposeful. He needs to eat. He gets a job. He gets two jobs.
ALARM is a stripped-down novel (and accompanying audio artifact) of confusion, alienation, and rediscovery in the post-9/11 era that reads like a love letter to a friend and a promise to the future.
'ALARM is a fantastically real account of life as we know it--and especially succeeds at uncovering the humor and magic of our most normal days working, loving, and living.' -CRAIG FINN, lyricist and guitarist, The Hold Steady |
