28 April 2005

The Trouble With Music

Here's an interesting book review I found which might interest our bloggers... the book is here on Amazon. I thought this review made some interesting points and would like to see the book sometime.

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Author Mat Callahan swings a big stick at the inflated piñata that is the corporate music industry in his new book The Trouble With Music (AK Press). He puts forth a theory that the music business has created a culture of anti-music (in the same way that McDonald’s would be anti-food), and as a result has removed it from music-making’s crucial community-based functions. Drawing on a wide variety of informational sources, Callahan’s argument is a cogent one that needs to be heard. Sadly, his presentation and too-strict adherence to hundred-year-old leftist critical theory makes the book far too academic. Too bad that his language is so inaccessible, because the case he’s building is one that deserves to reach a wider audience than the insular circle versed enough to slash through the dense thicket of critical theory.

3 Comments:

Blogger Lee H. said...

This sounds very intriguing. But this:

"Includes introductions by musician and Dischord Records founder, Ian Mackaye; Rock and Rap Confidential editor, Dave Marsh; and an afterward by Boff, from the multimillion selling group Chumbawamba."

WTF??? :D That damages his credibility a bit.

11:23 AM, April 28, 2005  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey, they did do a single with Negativland!

Actually, I kinda like them, musically (though I'm a bit iffy on "Tubthumping", mainly through over-exposure); although, I tend to find them a little, um, shrill politically. But oh well. Readymades was actually a pretty decent album. Although I never picked up the Expanded Edition, but mainly because I got my copy free from work, so...8)

11:57 AM, April 28, 2005  
Blogger CatsFive said...

Every book is written by an Achilles heel.

4:14 PM, April 28, 2005  

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