Showing titles in History & Criticism

One of Oprah Daily's 20 Favorite Books of 2021 Selected as one of Pitchfork's Best Music Books of the Year “One of the best books of its kind in decades.” —The Wall Street Journal An epic achievement and a huge delight, the entire history of popular music over the past fifty years...

The author of the New York Times bestseller This Is Your Brain on Music reveals music’s role in the evolution of human culture in this thought-provoking book that “will leave you awestruck” (The New York Times). Daniel J. Levitin's astounding debut bestseller, This Is Your Brain on Music...

The irresistible story of a one-man cultural phenomenon. Minister for the Counterculture, Mancunian mainstay and alternative national treasure John Robb has lived a life in music. In this book he charts his adventures on the cultural frontline, chronicling the making of a DIY icon.

Jimi Hendrix's road manager and confidant Eric Barrett breaks fifty-five years of silence As Jimi Hendrix's road manager, Eric Barrett was there when the amps blew in Milan, when Hendrix set Woodstock ablaze, when paranoia crackled through the Toronto airport, when his music electrified a sea of...

Bloomsbury presents Pub Rock by Mark Wilkerson, read by Kenneth Medford The scene that bulldozed the path from prog and glam to punk and new wave, pub rock was a short-lived phenomenon in the U.K., emerging amidst the bloated landscape of prog rock and an increasingly oppressive economic outlook...

Celebrate 40 years of Kerrang! with this year-by-year review of the greatest artists and moments in metal and alternative music. Kerrang! has an unparalleled reputation as one of the world's best-loved rock-focused publications. It continues to be at the forefront of alternative music, flying...

Introduced with more than 90 biographical entries that trace the friendships, loves, and rivalries that inspired each musical genius and their work. Profiles offer revealing insights into what drove each individual to create the musical masterpieces - symphonies, concertos and operatic scores -...

From Mozart to Mendelssohn, this comprehensive guide to classical music history and classical music biography is the perfect latest addition to the bestselling Big Ideas series. Easy to understand and clear to follow, this history of classical music explores and explains music theory and the...

Popmusik der späten 70er und 80er war mehr als Soundtrack – sie war Gefühl, Schutzraum, Identität. Und doch wussten wir kaum, wie diese Platten entstanden. In „Der Sound unserer Jugend. Und was wir damals nicht wussten" nimmt Jörg Hackeschmidt seine Leser mit in eine Zeit, in der man mit Freunden über Songs sprach und alles in sie hineinlegte. Er erzählt persönlich und präzise, was hinter dem neuen Klang steckte: Studio-Tricks, Produzenten, Texte – vom Phil-Collins-Drum-Sound bis zu ABC, Madonna oder Sade.

Feel the heartbeat of cultural history in this captivating musical journey from ancient rituals to stadium concerts. Far more than a technical timeline, this is a profound social mirror reflecting exactly what civilizations feared, fought for, and joyously celebrated across the ages. Whether you...

Dive into immersive music history and discover how a creaky wooden experiment ignited a global cultural revolution. From royal courts to crowded jazz clubs, follow the relentless quest to build a keyboard that could sing, whisper, and roar like the human voice. This captivating journey reveals...

Embark on an evocative music history journey as scattered instruments unite into a soaring classical symphony. Whether you are navigating a busy daily commute or seeking an immersive mental escape, this vibrant narrative reveals the fascinating evolution of collective sound. From humble church...

Discover how a simple wooden box fueled cultural rebellion and survived the digital revolution to define music history. Whether you need an energetic companion for your morning commute or an inspiring escape for a relaxing weekend, this narrative journey hits every chord. Travel from ancient...

Trace the explosive music history of youth rebellion that shattered postwar conformity and rewired global pop culture. This energetic cultural study drops you straight into the smoky juke joints and segregated clubs where rhythm and blues crashed into country gospel. Perfect for an immersive...

Experience the thrilling music history of the acoustic and electric instrument that sparked global cultural rebellions. Perfect for an inspiring morning commute, this energetic audio journey sweeps from ancient plucked strings to the roaring digital amplifiers of modern global pop. Whether you...

Journey through human evolution and cultural history to discover how primal noise transformed into musical expression. Perfect for an awe-inspiring commute or a mindful listening session, this captivating exploration reveals why rhythm and melody are wired directly into our brains. Whether you...

Trace the soulful origins of music history from southern cotton fields to the gritty pulse of global pop. Perfect for your morning commute or a reflective evening listen, this immersive journey explores the raw resilience of Black Americans who turned profound sorrow into a cultural revolution...

Trace the fierce mechanical evolution of a brilliant acoustic innovation that revolutionized classical music and jazz. Perfect for a relaxing evening wind-down or an inspiring daily commute, this immersive journey transports you directly into the candlelit workshops of relentless craftsmen. Feel...

Track how the hit single evolved from parlor sheet music to algorithmic streaming dominance in this pop culture history. Perfect for your daily commute or a nostalgic road trip, this energetic exploration reveals the hidden machinery behind your favorite artists. Witness how clever executives...

Trace the majestic evolution of classical music history as humble court ensembles transform into global symphonies. Perfect for your daily commute, this immersive journey transports you from echoing European churches to the dazzling acoustics of modern concert halls. Whether you are seeking a...