I hate New Music the Classic Rock Manifesto (Book) (Hardcover)

~ Thompson (Author), Dave (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Thompson’s pick as the top “classic rock” song (1968–1976) is Led Zeppelin’s ubiquitous “Stairway to Heaven.” And it gets worse. His next three picks, all warhorses, are “Won’t Get Fooled Again” (the Who), “Hotel California” (Eagles), and “Bohemian Rhapsody” (Queen). He detests the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper, though, so there’s grit under the treacle. Perhaps. He basically presents a scattershot critique of the music that lives forever on boomer-oriented oldies radio and at wedding receptions. He overdoes the sly humor only occasionally and has a good sense of the bizarre to compensate a shortage of appreciation of the backbeat. Most of his targets are exceedingly deserving of skewering, and all are by pretty well-heeled cats, most of them white, whatever that tells one. Thompson finds “moments of endorphin-pumping pleasure” in the likes of Jimmy Page’s guitar solo in “Stairway” and discourses merrily on the monumental nature of the 1960s–’70s album-oriented pop he esteems. He also finds great value in disco excursions by rockers, so obviously his humor knows no—or few—bounds. Good, clean fun. --Mike Tribby

Product Description

Uproariously funny and relentlessly thought-provoking, I Hate New Music is one man's crusade against everything that isn't what rock ought to be. Author Dave Thompson examines the sacred cows of the past 30 years - from U2 to Days of the New, from Radiohead to The White Stripes - and then slaughters them for their sins against our souls in this un-put-downable compendium of outrageous opinion, hilarious anecdote, and wild accusations.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 250 pages
• Publisher: Backbeat (June 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879309350
• ISBN-13: 978-0879309350
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #578,356 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars why in MY day ... !!!!!, May 24, 2009

By	Eric "seric26" (Somerville, MA United States) - See all my reviews

My suggestion: do not take this book seriously. Thompson (who has written memorably on Nirvana and the Red Hot Chili Peppers among others) declares in this tome that the only good music EVER was made between 1968-1976. Period. His acid words are so extreme they're laughable, and believe me, he knows it! But he's not going to back down for a book obviously undertaken as a self-indulgent rant against all things that annoy a grumpy baby boomer who remembers the good old days.

And the thing is, when he gets going on the stuff he loves and why (for example, Heart's lifting of every idea they had from Jimmy Page, but doing it so well he succumbs even to their folkiest moments as well), he's readable and full of fascinating detail.

Thompson, in this book, is Don Quixote, and iPods are his windmill. Tilting at them will never work, but you can't blame a grouch for trying.

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice history, but I disagree with a lot of his opinions, December 13, 2009

By	Robert Von Gerds "robgerds" (Cincinnati, Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was born the year that good music died according to Thompson. I abandoned most new music around the time I graduated from high school and started in college, in favor for classics by Led Zepellin, Bruce Springsteen and the likes. I enjoyed reading this book from the aspect of his historical description of the evolution of Rock music, especially since I was not around to witness it myself, but disagree with most of his opinions regarding new music and technology, and have a hard time believing that 8-Track tapes are superior to Compact Discs.

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining Read, October 9, 2009

By	Inventorydude "inventorydude" (Illinois) - See all my reviews

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I loved this book! It has a lot of tongue-in-cheek humor. It was informative and entertaining at the same time. An easy read and only around 200 pages. The Top 10 lists were great.
If your a classic rock fan, I think you'll like this book.