Bookverdict.com

Verdict: Popular music commentary can incite passionate argument and discussion as well as recognition and agreement, and Thompson's new book will certainly instigate all of these reactions in any rock fan. Ardent music fans will find much to savor and much to quarrel with. Recommended for public libraries. Background: Music writer and journalist Thompson (Never Fade Away: The Kurt Cobain Story) argues that rock 'n' roll had only one decent decade, spanning roughly 1966-76, and that all ensuing music is derivative at best. Thompson extols the artists of the vanished era and such outmoded features as the concept album, the double live album, and the eight track. However, his outright dismissal of artists such as U2, R.E.M., and Pearl Jam seems off base-delivered with snarky, albeit humorous, asides and without much substantive criticism. Thompson is much better at describing what he reveres, and he concludes with a descriptive list of 100 definitive classic rock songs.-Jim Collins, Morristown-Morris Twp. P.L., NJ Copyright 2009 Media Source Inc. Copyright 2009 Media Source Inc. ...Log In or Sign Up to Read More