Understanding Popular Music - Softcover

Shuker, Roy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415107237 ISBN 13: 9780415107235

Publisher: Routledge, 1994

Synopsis

Understanding Popular Music is an introductory textbook for students which explores the history and meaning of rock and popular music. Roy Shuker's study encompasses every aspect of popular music, from the history of the record industry to concept of the musician', from rock as cultural politics to MTV. Roy Shuker examines the music press; the impact of music videos; public performance; fans and subcultures, and the nature of the pop star'. Understanding Popular Music includes case studies of contemporary icons such as Frank Zappa, Prince, Lenny Kravitz and Madonna, along with full bibliography and song listings and an annotated guide to the key texts discussed.

About this title

About the Author:

Roy Shuker is Associate Professor in Media Studies at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.  His previous publications include Understanding Popular Music (2nd Edition, 2001) and Popular Music: The Key Concepts (2nd Edition, 2005).

 

From Library Journal:

Presented in the larger context of cultural studies, Understanding Popular Music is a commendably comprehensive analysis not only of 20th-century popular music itself but also of its major cultural theorists. Shuker (media studies, Massey Univ., New Zealand) knowledgeably traces and treats almost every aspect of popular music, among them performance and recording technologies, the music industry, the music press, gender implications, political implications; and visual representations, both pre- and post-MTV. This substantially revamped work, first published in 1994, addresses newer artists, genres, and technologies and also reconsiders initial evaluations of many theories and theorists. As with most studies to date in this area, Shuker's is rigidly and regrettably confined to Anglo-American popular music; collections seeking an appropriate balance should consider World Music: The Rough Guide (LJ 12/89). Nevertheless, this book's sophistication and theoretical bent make it a superb choice for academic libraries. Public libraries should consider more accessible works like Nick Johnstone's Melody Maker History of 20th-Century Popular Music (LJ 3/15/00). Bill Piekarski, Lackawanna, NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0415107237
• ISBN 13: 9780415107235
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 352