Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s [Paperback]

Robert Christgau (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 17, 1990

The definitive guide to the rock albums of the '80s by rock critic Robert Christgau. Arranged alphabetically by performer for easy reference, these 2,800 capsule reviews concisely recall the musical highlights--and low points--of the last ten years of rock 'n' roll.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Grand Poobah of Rock Criticism and longtime Village Voice contributor rates 3,000 releases in this dandy book, which belongs on the night table of every self-respecting music fan. Robert Christgau's tastes are admirably catholic: refusing to limit himself to solid rock, he takes on rap, hardcore, country, blues, reggae, worldbeat, and everything in between. His vest-pocket pronunciamentos are always fun to read--even when they seem perversely wrongheaded--and who else would zoom in on Ruben Blades's "ability to skip along the shores of schlock without ruining his best pair of shoes," or refer to "Amazing Grace" as "the 'Send in the Clowns' of roots music"? Who else, for that matter, could almost persuade you to run out and pick up The Very Best of Deep Purple? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA-- A companion to Christgau's Rock Albums of the '70s (Ticknor & Fields, 1981), representing all types of music: country, rock, rap, metal, etc. The book is arranged alphabetically by the name of the group or artist, and not by genre. A short paragraph gives Christgau's biased but informative views on each of 3,000 CDs/LPs/tapes, along with his A+ through C ratings. An appendix includes a core list of pre-1980 music and a "Gone But Not Forgotten" list of music that is good but not quite core quality. While similar to The New Rolling Stone Record Guide (Random, 1983), edited by David Marsh, and The New Trouser Press Record Guide (Macmillan, 1988), edited by Ira Robbins, this volume covers only one decade. However, it works well not only by itself, but also as an update of the other two guides.
- John Lawson, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 514 pages
• Publisher: Pantheon; 1st edition (October 17, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067973015X
• ISBN-13: 978-0679730156
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,485,761 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable resource for collectors and novices alike., July 27, 1998

By 

Chuck Ciany ([e-mail]) (Newport RI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s (Paperback)

In these days of vinyl disposition for replacement CDs, I continually find myself referring to this invaluable resource (as well as its predecessor for the 70's decade) before going to used record stores and garage sales. Chrisgau's insightful record reviews with their effective letter grading system (F through A+) have protected me from those "disaster purchases," while steering me to several bargain used albums that I have spun at home to great satisfaction. He admirably flaunts a highly discriminating musical taste that spans an array of musical genres to expand the horizons of even the most devout enthusiast. But the real beauty of the book is that it also provides for downright fun reading as in "What was I thinking when I bought that record?"

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good guide for the best '80s music., May 11, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s (Paperback)

Although somewhat more obtusely written than the '70s volume, Christgau's '80s rock and roll music guide is an excellent way to find the best music of the decade. Notable for what was included as much as what was not: an appendix lists a couple hundred "post new wave" bands that the author felt did not merit more than a mention. While relatively obscure in the '80s, some of these bands demand a more thorough evaluation based upon their achievements and/or influences in the '90s.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great bathroom reading, definitely!, April 5, 2001

By 

Eric Krupin (Salt Lake City, UT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s (Paperback)

Though ever-so-slightly less enjoyable as a sheer reading experience than his 70s collection, this book is still chock full of phrases so clever/apt/snotty/etc. that they've taken up residence in my mind like classic rock riffs. For example, what more perfect description of Chuck D.'s rapping style could there be than "bully-boy orotundity"?