The Best Music Books of 2024: Beyond the Turmeric Latte
Stepping away from Cambridge Analytica’s carefully curated playlists and the endless churn of new releases, we can still find musical solace and discovery in the written word. This year, a crop of excellent music books tackle diverse subjects, from the internal struggles of rock royalty to the deeply rooted history of Black musicians in country music.
A Daughter’s Influence: Moon Unit Zappa’s ‘Earth to Moon’
Would you rather be born into rock royalty or be parentally loved? This question hangs heavy in Moon Unit Zappa’s mesmerizing memoir, Earth to Moon. The book unveils the complexities of growing up as Frank Zappa’s eldest daughter amidst the whirlwind of his creative obsessions and tumultuous personal life.
Moon Unit eloquently recounts her fragmented memories of the elusive genius, a man who rarely spoke and seemed to exist mostly in recording studios and on tour. From yearning for his affection as a child to grappling with his failing health as a young adult, her story offers a poignant glimpse behind the curtain of rock and roll fame, exploring the themes of deprivation and forgiveness within a brilliant, yet flawed, family.
Springsteen’s "Born in the U.S.A.": A Tale of Two Eras
Steven Hyden’s There Was Nothing You Could Do: Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ and the End of the Heartland arrives perfectly timed with the Boss’s 75th birthday and the 40th anniversary of his landmark album. While "Born in the U.S.A." continues to resonate with stadium crowds, Hyden probes the album’s origins, slice-of-life storytelling, and poignant worldview against a backdrop of Reaganomics and American disillusionment.
The book dives into how Springsteen’s stadium-ready anthems blended with the soul of the working class, creating a unique sonic tapestry that simultaneously propelled him to superstardom and touched a nerve in a nation grappling with economic and social shifts.
Unspooling the Sounds: From Cassette Tapes to Vinyl’s Rebirth
Duke University Press blossoms with two remarkable books that explore the evolution of sound recording. Rob Drew’s Unspooled delves into the quirky, underground world of cassette tapes, tracing their rise from a convenient format for mixtapes and bootlegs to a symbol of counterculture and musical rebellion.
Darren Mueller’s At the Vanguard of Vinyl takes readers on an illuminating journey through the history of the long-playing record. He meticulously details the LP’s transformation from a medium showcasing classical and jazz to the canvas upon which musical icons like John Coltrane and Miles Davis painted their revolutionary soundscapes, eternally influencing generations of musicians and listeners.
Purple Reign: Prince’s Legacy 40 Years Strong
Andrea Swensson’s stunning coffee table book, Prince and Purple Rain: 40 Years, celebrates the anniversary of Prince’s iconic album and film. Swensson masterfully weaves together intimate interviews with those who knew Prince best, creating a comprehensive portrait that goes beyond the glitz and glamor to reveal the creative genius and endearing vulnerabilities of the Purple One.
Legendary Encounters: Moonshine and Blue Notes
Brian Bisesi’s Out of the Blue: Life On the Road with Muddy Waters shares an intimate look at the blues world through the eyes of a young musician who became Muddy Waters’ trusted road manager. Bisesi’s account vibrantly portrays the gritty realities of life on the blues circuit, offering a unique perspective
