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Product: Book
ISBN-10: 0-415-97473-9
ISBN-13: 9780415974738
Publisher: Routledge
Country:
Year: August 27, 2007
Edition: New edition
Size: 15.24 x 22.61 x 1.78cm
Number of pages: 328
Weight: 431gr
Binding: Paperback
ISBN-10: 0-415-97473-9
ISBN-13: 9780415974738
Publisher: Routledge
Country:
Year: August 27, 2007
Edition: New edition
Size: 15.24 x 22.61 x 1.78cm
Number of pages: 328
Weight: 431gr
Binding: Paperback
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Product Description
A Brief History of Rock, Off the Record tells the story of rock and roll: from its birth in the conservative 1950s, its blossoming during the 1960s, the disco and punk revolutions to the rise of hip hop culture.
Wayne Robins traces rock's musical roots and demonstrates how political and social developments laid the groundwork for the blossoming of a new, teen culture. Students listening to rock today are unlikely to know the full history of the genre, its performers, or the social and cultural trends that shaped it. This book provides a concise introduction to rock music and culture written by one of rock's leading critics.
reviews
Kirkus Reviews 
Kirkus Reviews, July 15, 2007 Robins, Wayne A BRIEF HISTORY OF ROCK: Off the Record Routledge (272 pp.) $16.95 paperback original Aug. 8, 2007 ISNB: 978-0-4159-7473-8 With approximately three zillion available books on the history of rock, why should anybody bother banging out another one? Veteran rock journalist Robins (Billboard, Rolling Stone, Village Voice) answers that question with a resounding, Why the heck not? He must have figured that if he has the knowledge (check), the writing chops (check) and a point of view (check), it was worth a shot. While it most definitely can be read from beginning to end, some might feel that the most enjoyable way to attack this sweet little tome would be randomly. Stick your finger in the middle of the book, and you might land on a sharp essay about the parallel paths taken by the Beach Boys and the Beatles circa 1966, or a diatribe about the effect MTV had on hair metal bands (and vice versa), or a tongue-in-cheek sidebar on Doors front man Jim Morrison's astoundingly childish behavior. Robins presents his dissertation with enthusiasm and breezy good humor, yet manages unpretentiously to hammer home his historical points and musical opinions. The story of criminally underappreciated soulster Curtis Mayfield, for instance, is told with love and reverence, and his respectful bit on the Eagles and the early-'70s California school of rock (Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, etc.) makes you recall that at one point in time, these laid-back troubadours were considered pretty cool. His tone is ideal for the topic and the format, a welcome relief from the disproportionate number of self-important academic treatises on modern popular music. Hardcore rock geeks likely won't learn anything new here, but probably will agree that it's nice to have all the factoids, as well as some authoritative criticism, in one place. With its high readability factor and bite-sized portions, this is the ultimate rock-'n'-roll bathroom book--and that's meant with nothing but the utmost respect and admiration. A rehash, sure, but if you're going to cover ground that's already been covered, this is the way to do it.
Kirkus Reviews, July 15, 2007 Robins, Wayne A BRIEF HISTORY OF ROCK: Off the Record Routledge (272 pp.) $16.95 paperback original Aug. 8, 2007 ISNB: 978-0-4159-7473-8 With approximately three zillion available books on the history of rock, why should anybody bother banging out another one? Veteran rock journalist Robins (Billboard, Rolling Stone, Village Voice) answers that question with a resounding, Why the heck not? He must have figured that if he has the knowledge (check), the writing chops (check) and a point of view (check), it was worth a shot. While it most definitely can be read from beginning to end, some might feel that the most enjoyable way to attack this sweet little tome would be randomly. Stick your finger in the middle of the book, and you might land on a sharp essay about the parallel paths taken by the Beach Boys and the Beatles circa 1966, or a diatribe about the effect MTV had on hair metal bands (and vice versa), or a tongue-in-cheek sidebar on Doors front man Jim Morrison's astoundingly childish behavior. Robins presents his dissertation with enthusiasm and breezy good humor, yet manages unpretentiously to hammer home his historical points and musical opinions. The story of criminally underappreciated soulster Curtis Mayfield, for instance, is told with love and reverence, and his respectful bit on the Eagles and the early-'70s California school of rock (Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, etc.) makes you recall that at one point in time, these laid-back troubadours were considered pretty cool. His tone is ideal for the topic and the format, a welcome relief from the disproportionate number of self-important academic treatises on modern popular music. Hardcore rock geeks likely won't learn anything new here, but probably will agree that it's nice to have all the factoids, as well as some authoritative criticism, in one place. With its high readability factor and bite-sized portions, this is the ultimate rock-'n'-roll bathroom book--and that's meant with nothing but the utmost respect and admiration. A rehash, sure, but if you're going to cover ground that's already been covered, this is the way to do it.
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last update: 3/16/2010
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