ROBERT CHRISTGAUS RECORD GUID

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.

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.

The "glib and oily art" (as Shakespeare might say) of rock music criticism is on full parade in Christgau's compilation of 2800 1980s rock album reviews, most of which are lifted as is from Christgau's "Consumer Guide" column in The Village Voice . Arrangement is alphabetical by recording artist, and each entry, generally 50 to 150 words in length, includes album name, label, release date, and a letter grade. Introductory essays on 1980s trends and developments and appendixes of artists neglected in the reviews are included. Christgau's catholic tastes provide a wonderful cornucopia, but the cumulative effect of his terminally hip prose and gymnastic verbal constructions ("boho Americanism," "antipunk discowave," "postprog art-rock," "mucho pusho," etc.) is vacuous. Ira Robbins's The New Trouser Press Record Guide ( LJ 3/1/89; 3d ed.) is a superior choice for its depth and information.
- Barry Miller, Austin P.L., Tex.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.