Review by Freddy White
Be-Mag contributor Brian Krans is in charge of the writing. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but if it weren’t for Krans’ narrative skills, and his talent to capture the essence of a situation in just a couple of lines, you would be missing out on some of the most essential parts of the trip. The fast-paced rhythm he impulses with his words keeps you moving on the dirt roads of the Northwest along with the crew, and gives some insight into what goes on in the minds of your favorite pros when they’re jammed inside a van for 6 hours, or randomly attacked by Martians. Getting past the lens of the camera, the books allows you to get closer to the subject, and leaves you with a more intimate feel.
The photography, however, is really fucking good too. Captured by Brandon Smith, Jeff Stockwell, Jero & Ivan Narez himself, these pictures are a necessary complement to the video & write-up. Nothing better than a still image to capture the immensity of the landscapes in Montana, or the intensity of Bailey’s 360 over the pool as the sun sets in Brookings, Oregon. These guys being some of the best in the game, it’s no surprise you’ll keep on finding a new favorite shot every time you flip through the pages of this book. Different style of shooting, different ways to collect the many pieces that are all part of the same puzzle. It is safe to say that double-page spreads have never been this good since my Playboy reading days.
I guess this is the point I’m trying to make: moving images are great. Written words are great. Still pictures are great. But if you put them all together, the final result is even greater than the sum of its parts: it’s a whole bunch of awesomeness all packed in a single item. Hence why you should waste no more time and get yourself a present that will end up looking good on your shelves, not lost somewhere on your hard drive. You will even support some great people and their art in the process, and all you have to do is click right here: shredtilyouredead.com
