Search results for ""sonicbond publishing""
Sonicbond Publishing The Twang Dynasty - From Memphis to Merthyr: Guitarists that rocked the world
Prior to new editions of legendary Man musician Deke Leonard's previous books Rhinos, Winos & Lunatics and Maybe I Should've Stayed in Bed? planned for 2020, we are happy to bring back his 3rd and 4th books in their original editions. The Twang Dynasty is a book for people who love guitars and the glorious noise they make, written by a musician who has lived and loved the music for 50 years. Deke Leonard reflects on the genre from within in a highly amusing and informative style that makes this an essential read. He shines a light on how and why some musicians changed the landscape forever, tracing the development of modern popular music from its fragmented roots in delta blues, country and early rock 'n' roll to today's guitar based rock. He mixes personal encounters with Hendrix and Clapton with analysis of well-known but equally important players, ending with a chapter on Welsh rock guitarists that have been particularly dear to his heart. The Twang Dynasty is compelling reading, making the reader want to revisit the music and embark on their own personal guitar odyssey.
£17.99
Sonicbond Publishing The Jam: Every Album, Every Song
From the band’s first single, ‘In The City’ in April 1977, to their last, ‘Beat Surrender’ in November 1982, The Jam went from new wave wannabees to arguably the biggest band in the UK. The Jam on track covers every song released by the group during their five-and-a-half-year career on the Polydor label and includes the pick of demos and little-known recordings from various compilation albums after the band’s demise. Each song is looked at from a musical and lyrical viewpoint, and includes contemporary comments from Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler, music critics and those working closely with the band. Album and single sleeves, videos (or promo films as they were more widely known at the time) and TV appearances are part of the mix as author Stan Jeffries looks at what made The Jam one of Britain’s most respected acts and how their legacy continues to this day. For both the dedicated and the curious, this book guides you through the career of one of the country’s musical giants.
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing 1972: When Progressive Rock Ruled The World
1972 was the year Progressive Rock came of age, when bands and artists still revered today produced some of their most ground-breaking, inventive, and enduring musical creations. In this fascinating and absorbing book, Kevan Furbank looks at some of the artists and albums that made 1972 such a watershed in musical achievement. He follows their development from the first tentative notes and chords to the full-blown recordings that, more than 50 years later, are still seen as the masterpieces of the genre, and the gold standard by which all Progressive Rock is judged. Travel Close To The Edge with Yes, dance a Foxtrot with Genesis, tussle with Gentle Giant’s Octopus and discover you don’t have to be Thick As A Brick to enjoy Jethro Tull’s 40-minute opus. There’s a Trilogy by Emerson, Lake & Palmer, some Demons And Wizards from Uriah Heep, and a Grave New World courtesy of The Strawbs. The author also Focuses on manic yodelling, the End Of The World, an island Obscured By Clouds and a cult album that could be hobbit-forming. Written with passion and wit, the book is a must-have book for every music-lover with an open mind and open ears.
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing Dark Horse Records: The Story of George Harrison's Post-Beatles Record Label
In 1974, with Apple winding down, George Harrison still aspired to help new artists, so rather than trying to salvage Apple, he set up his own label Dark Horse Records, on a much smaller scale. His plan was to release records from new artists as well as some of his old friends, with an eye to eventually releasing his own music. While Dark Horse had an encouraging beginning with a hit single from Splinter, the label Suffered increasing problems, failing to establish itself in the way Harrison hoped. However, some incredible and varied music was created from 1974 to 1977, including some of Harrison’s best solo material. Towards the end of its initial life, Dark Horse dropped most of its artists and released mainly Harrison’s solo work. Thankfully, since 2020, Dhani Harrison has taken the reins and has made Dark Horse viable once again, signing Cat Stevens and Billy Idol and releasing music from Joe Strummer and Leon Russell. Finally, in 2023, it was announced that Harrison’s entire solo catalogue was going to be re-released on Dark Horse. This book tells the story of the label from the beginning, through its struggles and on to its exciting renaissance in the new millennium.
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Sonicbond Publishing Suzanne Vega On Track: Every Album, Every Song
In 1985, Suzanne Vega released her debut, garnering platinum status in the U.K and this New York-based singer-songwriter's self-titled album claimed the number 80 spot on Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Best Albums of the Eighties. AUTHOR: Lisa Torem, a rock journalist and musician with an M.A. in Linguistics, has interviewed, among others, members of: Alice Cooper, The Animals, Aerosmith, Cream, The Kinks, The Faces, Dave Brubeck, Jethro Tull, Thin Lizzy, The Zombies, 10cc, Judy Collins, Donovan, Darlene Love, Sarah McLachlan, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Jimmy Webb and Dweezil Zappa. Interviews, features, live/CD reviews have appeared in American Blues Scene, The Chicago Reader, Grateful Web, Newcity, pennyblackmusic.co.uk., Popmatters and The Big Takeover. Lisa co-wrote Through the Eye of the Tiger and All That Glitters and wrote On Track: Tori Amos and On Track.
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Sonicbond Publishing Metallica On Track: Every Album, Every Song
From humble beginnings, as they emerged pimple-popped and sweaty out of a global New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene infiltrating California in the early 80s, through to almost complete world domination, sell out tours and Billboard chart success, Metallica's story is like few others. With an insatiable hunger andhell-for-leatherr attitude, they helped to forge a new direction for metal music across the world, combining progressive anger with, at times, sweeping ballads. In the space of just a few album,s they transformed from thrashing wannabes (Kill 'Em All) into real heavy rock contenders (...And Justice for All) - before unleashing a new blend of chart-topping heavy metal on the masses (Black Album). A band of dogged workers, with twists and turns, heartbreak and line-up changes peppering their more than 40-year career, if they aren't on the road, it seems they're in the recording studio, with an incessant hunt for the next loudest, ground-breaking sound, spurring them on. They rode a wave, then started a tsunami, so prepare to be blown away. Metallica give you 'heavy baby!'
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Sonicbond Publishing Nightwish On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Traversing power metal, acoustic introspect and finally settling on their breakthrough cinematic sound, Finnish heavyweights Nightwish are the leading name in the sumptuous world of symphonic metal. Having tackled numerous high-profile line-up changes, each threatening to derail the grand vehicle of spirit curated by founder Tuomas Holopainen, their every turn has been documented across nine studio records. Whilst the surface presents the Nightwish discography as a feast of metaphor and imagination, it's in the undercurrent that the vulnerability of the compositions are revealed; the fury of 'Master Passion Greed' detailing the acrimonious split with vocalist Tarja Turunen, the melancholia permeating Century Child and the awe-inspiring ode to evolution of Endless Forms Most Beautiful. This book analyses every song released by the group, from their Angels Fall First debut to 2020's Human. :||: Nature., discussing inimitable singles 'Nemo' and the begrudgingly composed 'Sleeping Sun' as well as patriotic sport soundtracks, impromptu live outings and curious cover versions. Nightwish On Track also discusses the abundant live releases and compilations from their career to date and gathers together an exhaustive list of the band's B-sides and rarities.
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing Queen in the 1970s: Decades
When Freddie Bulsara arrived in England in 1964, fleeing with his family from a bloody revolution on the streets of his homeland Zanzibar, he already knew that he wanted to be a rock'n'roll star. But before that dream could become a reality, there were three specific people he needed to meet. Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon were the other three components in what became Queen, a band whose name is now writ large in rock legend, but whose members spent their early career mired in legal troubles, critical hostility and financial hardship. In the early 1970s, with their preening singer and arch conceptualiser now renamed Freddie Mercury, the group projected an image that was at once regal, mystical and exotic. Yet behind the black eyeliner and billows of dry ice, Queen were four sharply contrasting individuals whose dogged struggle to win success was every bit as dramatic as the ogre battles and fairy king fantasias that populated their music. Queen in the Seventies is an up-close examination of the band's now critically adored first ten years, the decade when they forged their unique vision, beat off the critics and became, after many epic tantrums and much violent throwing of crockery, champions of the world.
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing Alice Cooper in the 1980s (Decades)
The 1980s saw Alice Cooper release arguably his most diverse collection of albums, ranging from new wave to metal to full-on radio-friendly rock. They weren't all commercially successful, but all are worth listening to and some are excellent. This book (which follows on from the author's acclaimed Alice Cooper In The '70s) features all new interview material by the author with 45 musicians and performers who worked with Alice over the decade. Many have never been interviewed before and they offer fascinating insight into working with Alice and each other. Key interviewees include Mike Pinera, Jan Uvena, John Nitzinger, Graham Shaw, Ken Mary, Kip Winger, Kane Roberts, John McCurry and Al Pitrelli. Consequently, the book includes a lot of new facts and information that should please fans. The author adds commentary and opinions on all of the songs from the era, Alice's film work and the five live tours. There is also an appendix on the album that could have been but never was. Alice 'contributes' from the contemporary press of the time are referenced, which became more loquacious as the decade goes on. Alice in the '80s, what a thrill ride that was!
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing Misty: The Music of Johnny Mathis
Few singers have been able to change with the times like Johnny Mathis. Although his fame rests on his massive popularity in the 50s and 60s when he competed with Elvis and Frank Sinatra and outsold almost anyone, Mathis has remained relevant through the decades and no other crooner is as technically skilled or able to cover multiple genres so convincingly. Jazz, soul, disco, country, classic and contemporary pop, Mathis has adapted his impressive vocal range to all kinds of music and transgressed the stereotype of what a male voice is supposed to sound like. The longest-running artist on Columbia, he has been recognized by the record industry with The Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award and three recordings in the Grammy Hall of Fame, but so far, there hasn't been an exhaustive examination of his complete recordings in book form. Authorized by Mathis and including fresh insights from himself as well as his producers and arrangers, Misty: The Music of Johnny Mathis, rights that wrong. With detailed discussions of the records and a discography, the book traces Mathis's musical journey from the past to the present and includes a wealth of photos and album scans from his own archive. It's the ideal companion for fans and new listeners interested in exploring one of the most prominent voices in American music.
£17.99
Sonicbond Publishing Van der Graaf Generator in the 1970s: Decades
There were a lot of very different bands peddling their wares in the progressive rock 'golden age' of the 1970s - some tending toward symphonic grandeur, other towards jazz fusion, and others still ploughing the more immediate end of the spectrum. There were the left-field eccentrics and the tricky 'difficult' bands. Apart from it all, however, there were Van Der Graaf Generator. In a decade stuffed with a wild array of influences, styles and instrumental line-ups, there can be few tending quite so near to the definition 'unique' as the four musicians who made up the 'classic' line-up of Van Der Graaf. For a start, there was the astonishing songwriting and vocals of generally accepted 'leader' Peter Hammill, but there was much more behind that to set these men apart. Their unparalleled instrumental make-up saw little or no guitar and no bass guitar, while organist Hugh Banton handled the bass parts on pedals, David Jackson pioneered an astonishing saxophone style, playing two instruments at once, electric rather than miked up, and using a full effects pedalboard. Drummer Guy Evans filled in - well, everything else. It was and remains a sound quite like no other. This book documents their incredibly influential first decade as prog's ultimate 'outsiders'. It's quite a ride.
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing Kiss in the 1970s: Decades
They pulled on their platform boots and slapped on the makeup when everybody else was discarding theirs. Their albums were subject to poor production, scathing reviews, and commercial indifference. Other bands refused to have them as their opening act. Their record company was up against the wall. By all reasoning, they should have become one of the 'lost' bands of the 1970s, like the Harlots of 42nd Street or the Hollywood Stars. Yet in 1975 Kiss unexpectedly came Alive! and by the following year, they were the biggest rock and roll band - and brand - in America. This is a journey through Kiss's first and most storied decade. It is the story of the four men behind the masks, and the music they made, the studio albums, the legendary live albums, and of one of the greatest rock follies in music history, the four simultaneously released solo album. Along the way, it tells of the costumes and the concerts, the merchandise and the Marvel comic books, the television appearances and the disastrous 1978 movie, Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park. And having bestrode the 1970s like an unstoppable colossus, it ends with Kiss under siege, beset by changing public taste without, and combustible personalities within.
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing Van Morrison in the 1970s: Decades
After the singularity of Astral Weeks in 1968, the 1970s were the formative years for the solo career of one of the acknowledged giants of modern music. Van Morrison was one of the music legends who defined the decade, with every album bringing out different aspects to Morrison's vast musical spectrum. His story in the 1970s is a chronicle of a Belfast artist coming to terms with the voice, the call, the dream of America. The decade saw Morrison work through the promise of the land of the blues and jazz, westerns and railroads, big cities and backwoods. It also saw his own spiritual quest and the reimagining of a nordic North European heritage and Caledonian Irish roots alongside the realisation of emigration and exile. Morrison forged a rich and complex artistic catalogue that continues down the years to the present day. Beginning with smash hit Moondance in 1970, his output in the decade continued through Tupelo Honey via Hard Nose the Highway to 1979's Into the Music. By the end of the 1970s, he was again using Europe to recast his music and imagination for another half century in the business, but throughout most of the decade his songs centred on America as he created the foundation of an unparalleled legacy
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Sonicbond Publishing Creedence Clearwater Revival On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Creedence Clearwater Revival were a San Francisco band of the 1960s that had nothing to do with Human Be Ins, Timothy Leary, or the Summer of Love. They were, for a time, the most popular band in the US but never scored a number one hit. They were headliners at Woodstock but didn’t appear in the film or on the soundtrack LP. They shared a radical ‘back to basics’ sensibility with The Band but were not embraced by the emerging rock press with anywhere near the same enthusiasm. When the punks were hunting dinosaur bands to extinction in 1977, Richard Hell covered one of their songs on his debut album. In the 1980s, as their songs became staples of ‘classic rock’ radio, they were revered by underground bands like The Gun Club, The Minutemen and The Scientists. As Butch said to Sundance, ‘Who are those guys?’ In this book, a track-by-track analysis of all the band’s recorded output, Tony Thompson rolls up the sleeves on his plaid shirt and prepares to answer the big questions. Who’s Jody? What is ‘chooglin’? Where is Green River? Why can’t the singer leave Lodi? Who was the fortunate son? Is the bathroom on the right?
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Sonicbond Publishing Pearl Jam On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Pearl Jam are the last men standing from great alternative rock explosion of the Nineties. They introduced themselves with one of the biggest-selling and most iconic albums of the decade, and their follow-up albums broke sales records worldwide. To date they have sold over 30 million albums worldwide, as many as iconic such artists as The Doors, Tom Petty, and Rush. Just as those artists did, Pearl Jam built an intense cult following who feel personally connected to the band. They tour constantly and are renowned for the quality of their live shows. While maintaining a huge network of fans, they have also collaborated with rock legends and helped boost the profiles of new artists. They fight for social justice causes even when that costs them in other areas. And through it all they keep releasing amazing music. Yet for many they remain an artefact of the Nineties, the epitome of the angsty Gen X stereotype. By going through their entire discography track-by-track, covering their origins in the Seattle scene, their musical development, and how the pop culture context has changed around them, this book will argue that Pearl Jam are not only one the greatest bands of their generation, but one of the greatest bands of all time.
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Sonicbond Publishing Blur On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Formed as shambolic art-punk four-piece Seymour whilst attending London's Goldsmiths University, the rechristened Blur released their debut album Leisure in 1991, marking them as promising indie upstarts in thrall to the voguish sub-genres of baggy and shoegaze. Following a radical stylistic shift on sophomore LP Modern Life Is Rubbish, Blur became a UK household name in 1994 upon the advent of their era-defining Britpop masterpiece Parklife. A year later, the infamous chart battle with arch-rivals Oasis marred number one single 'Country House', but they changed direction again on fifth album Blur - a grungier affair that yielded the transatlantic smash hit 'Song 2'. Though guitarist Graham Coxon departed during sessions for seventh album Think Tank, the original foursome reunited in 2009 for a series of triumphant comeback shows, culminating in the unexpected release of 2015's Hong Kong recorded The Magic Whip. A restlessly inventive group to file alongside other eclectic British artists such as The Beatles, David Bowie and Queen, this book explores every Blur album in detail, including all singles, B-sides and selected rarities - a comprehensive guide to one of the 1990's most successful and iconic rock bands
£14.99
Sonicbond Publishing Eric Clapton Solo On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Of all of the 'classic' British rockers who came to prominence in the 1960s, only a very few have achieved significant, sustained success through to the present day. A list that comprises Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones should also include Eric Clapton. His critical and commercial accomplishments with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith and his first solo album between 1965 and 1970 was followed the inexplicable failure of the Layla album, released under the semi-pseudonym of Derek & The Dominos. Clapton withdrew into heroin addiction for several years. In 1974, his 'comeback' album, 461 Ocean Boulevard, returned him to the top three in both the UK and America. Always a strong concert draw, Clapton has released another sixteen top twenty albums since. Even 'Layla' returned to the charts in 1982. Eric Clapton Solo reviews and analyses all of Clapton's studio albums since 1974, as well as successful collaborations with BB King and JJ Cale. It's been a long, varied journey: the laid-back rocker of the 1970s; the commercial sheen of the 1980s; the polished, acoustic yuppie music and hard blues of the 1990s; the slick R & B stylings of the 2000s and the roots homages of the 2010s. All of this was underpinned by the skill and talent of Britain's greatest blues guitarist and a hugely underrated vocalist
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Sonicbond Publishing Asia: Every Album, Every Song (On Track)
A progressive rock supergroup? In the 1980s? Who would want such a thing critics asked, as they immediately went on the attack. But music fans disagreed. John Wetton, Geoff Downes, Steve Howe and Carl Palmer had played with the likes of King Crimson, Roxy Music, Yes and ELP to name just a few and they lived up to the supergroup tag. Asia's self-titled debut album went to number one for nine weeks on the US charts, went top twenty in the UK and sold over ten million copies worldwide. Asia was all over MTV, had a sold-out world tour, several hit singles and a Grammy nomination. After 1983's Alpha album, Wetton left to be replaced, bizarrely by Greg Lake was in, then Wetton was back and Howe was gone, replaced by Mandy Meyer for Astra in 1985. Fans needed a scorecard to keep track of it all, then the group split. Geoff Downes would struggle to keep the flame alive with John Payne from 1991-2005 until the original line up reunited in 2006 with newfound respect accorded them by both the media and fans until Wetton's sad passing in 2017. This book covers every studio album as well as key live albums, compilations and solo projects in detail, making it a comprehensive guide to the music of this enigmatic and ever-changing band.
£14.99
Sonicbond Publishing Focus In The 1970s: The Music of Jan Akkerman and Thijs Van Leer
For a few short years in the 1970s, the unique music of Focus entertained the world. Build around the prodigious instrumental talents of Dutch masters Jan Akkerman (guitar) and Thijs Van Leer (keyboards and flute), the band produced three classic hit albums in quick succession, and scored two worldwide hits with 'Sylvia' and 'Hocus Pocus'. The latter piece is as ubiquitous as tunes from the 70s get, distinctive for Akkerman's famous riff and Van Leer's once-heard-never forgotten yodeling. Musical and personal tensions between the two lead to a split in 1976, the band limping on until 1978. However, the 1970s also saw seven solo albums each from these two hugely talented musicians, with Akkerman moving into jazzier territory while Van Leer had huge success with his Introspection series of light, classical flute-based albums. Stephen Lambe's enlightening book guides the reader through the band's early history year by year, dealing with all eight Focus albums song by song, while also giving the same treatment to Akkerman and Van Leer's lesser know solo work between 1970 and 1979. It makes for both an important potted history of the band and an insight into the tensions which lead to such a creative - if short lived - peak, but also acts as an essential guide to the astonishing music the two men made while at the peak of their powers.
£14.99
Sonicbond Publishing Steve Hackett On Track: Every Album, Every Song (On Track)
Guitarist Steve Hackett first came to many fan's attention when he joined Genesis in 1971. Following seven excellent albums with the band, he went his own way in 1977. He had already kick started his solo career with the critically acclaimed Voyage of the Acolyte in 1975 but 24 studio albums followed, making him the most prolific member of the classic Genesis line-up. In the 1980s, he also formed GTR with Yes guitarist Steve Howe and they enjoyed commercial success with a hit album and single. Steve's solo work has embraced rock, prog, classical, blues, pop, jazz and world music, all performed with style and panache and his most recent album At the Edge of Light released in 2019 is perhaps his best since the classic Spectral Mornings in 1979. On stage, he has kept the Genesis flame burning brightly, performing the band's classic material from the 1970s alongside his own work. He remains one of the most innovative and influential musicians in rock. This book examines, in detail, each one of Steve's studio albums and traces his long and varied history. Collaborations, live albums and compilations are also discussed, making this the most comprehensive guide to the music of Steve Hackett yet published. Whether the reader is a diehard fan or someone wishing to catch-up on his post Genesis work, Steve Hackett on track is essential reading
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Sonicbond Publishing David Cronenberg: Every Movie, Every Star
David Cronenberg’s films stand collectively as one of the great achievements in cinema. Fearless, imaginative and provocative, as well as intelligent and refreshingly disturbing, his work expresses a unique personal vision. More than simply ‘the baron of blood’ or the ‘king of venereal horror’, Cronenberg has long transcended these early attempts to label him. Through five decades of parasites, plastic realities, creative destruction and the rise of the new flesh – here is a filmmaker uniquely suited to dissect our mutating relationship with sex, death and technology. David Cronenberg On Screen presents a new survey of his extraordinary career, from early, experimental shorts and body-horror explorations, to commercial success with The Fly and Dead Ringers, and on to his celebrated and sometimes controversial literary adaptations. This volume also considers his excursions as an actor; key collaborators; television and advertising; and his new phase as a novelist. Cronenberg’s recurring themes are explored along the way: psychological transformation revealed in physical mutation, disease as an agent of change, violence, alternative sexualities, and the viral nature of desire. In our hyper-connected world of pandemic fear and mutable identities, the films of David Cronenberg are as relevant as ever
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Sonicbond Publishing Live Aid The Greatest Show On Earth
All author royalties andpublisher profits from the sale of this book will go to The Live Aid Trust. On Saturday, 13 July 1985, a blazing, cloudless summer day, millions of peoplesettled in front of the television. It was just before noon in London, 7 am inPhiladelphia, and around the world, it was time for Live Aid...
£16.99
Sonicbond Publishing Rolling Stones Let It Bleed
Released in 1969, Let it Bleed was The Rolling Stones' eighth studio album (tenth in the USA). This account examines in detail the background, inspiration and recording of the songs, the reception of the work as a whole, and its legacy and influence on subsequent generations of bands and performers to this day.
£12.99
Sonicbond Publishing ACDC On Track
AC/DC - a global rock institution and big brand name. The secret to their success has always been they are a rock 'n' roll band, pure and simple, undiluted by trends. They have a solid authenticity with no frills or pretentiousness.
£16.99
Sonicbond Publishing Carry On... Every Movie, Every Star (On Screen)
* 2018 marks the 60th anniversary of the start of the Carry On series. * The first book to examine each of the 31 films in detail. * Also covers the Carry On TV series and the Christmas Specials. When Carry on Sergeant became a big hit in British cinemas in 1958, not even the most optimistic of its cast or crew believed that it would become the first of a 31-film franchise. The series went on to become one of the most successful and well-loved in British - and indeed world - cinema. Beginning as relatively gentle comedies, the humour broadened during the late 60s, taking on an end of the pier quality that at its best was as hilarious as it was risque. Lifelong fan Stephen Lambe discusses each of the films in depth, celebrating the team's greatest moments, while examining in equal detail some of the lesser known or less successful editions of the series, as well as some of the unsung performers that made the series such a success. He also examines some of the series spin offs - including the Carry on Christmas TV. With plenty to excite both casual and diehard fans, The Carry Ons - on screen is the perfect reference guide to this remarkable series of films.
£14.99
Sonicbond Publishing Neil Young 1963 to 1970
In the realm of singer songwriters, few have been as influential as Neil Young, whose music has always been creative and relevant throughout six decades. Neil is a chameleon for whom boundaries of genres do not exist. He has delved into folk, country, r&b, rock 'n' roll, grunge, hard rock, electronic and pop and made them his own.
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Sonicbond Publishing Opeth On Track: Every Album, Every Song
A 'cult' band with a mass following, the band's last five albums have made the top 30 in the UK. Still active, recording and touring. Completely unique - no other band mixes progressive rock, metal and jazz in the same way. There has never been - and never will be - another band like Opeth. Formed in Stockholm, Sweden circa 1989, their roughly thirty-year career showcases a melding of diverse influences; a prevailing commitment to songwriting and instrumental excellence; and unwaveringly chameleonic vision - no matter the cost - that's unmatched by any of their stylistic peers. Be it their most unashamedly brutal early LPs, their multifaceted and near-faultless mid-period opuses, or their somewhat polarizing recent glimpses into macabre 1970s-esque prog/jazz rock eccentricity, mastermind Mikael Akerfeldt and company continuously create records that push themselves, their audience, and progressive music as a whole, forward. The result is easily among the most extraordinary, dependable, and laudable legacies in modern metal. Using a meticulously crafted mixture of original analysis and behind-the-scenes research, this book digs into all facets of Opeth's output to discover how they innovated and evolved with practically every release. After all, each 'observation' - from their 1990s black metal classics (Morningrise and My Arms, Your Hearse) and 2000s progressive death metal masterpieces (Blackwater Park and Ghost Reveries) to their stunning progressive rock/jazz fusion excursions of the 2010s (Pale Communion and In Cauda Venenum) - found Opeth ceaselessly harvesting a one-of-a-kind catalogue that's still remarkably influential and impressive
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing The Police On Track
From 1978-1983 The Police released five brilliant albums that took in rock, reggae, world music and more. By 1983 they'd become the biggest band in the world, but egos and arguments took their toll and Sting left to become a massive solo success and the group split in 1986.
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Sonicbond Publishing Dream Theater: Every Album, Every Song (On Track)
No other band has affected modern progressive metal as deeply or widely as American quintet Dream Theater. Formed at Berklee College of Music) as Majesty in 1985 by guitarist John Petrucci, drummer Mike Portnoy, and bassist John Myung, the group has spent thirty years repeatedly pushing new boundaries and reinventing their identity. Although other acts - such as Queensryche and Fates Warning - paved the way for the prog-metal subgenre, Dream Theater were without doubt the first to meld influences from both metal and progressive rock into a groundbreaking blend of quirky instrumentation, extensively complex arrangements, and exceptional songwriting. Whether subtly or overtly, they've since left their mark on just about every progressive metal band that's followed. In this book, Jordan Blum examines virtually all Dream Theater collections, and their behind-the-scenes circumstances, to explore how the group distinctively impacted the genre with each release. Whether classics of the 1990s like Images and Words and Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory, benchmarks of the 2000s like Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence and Octavarium, or even thrilling modern efforts like A Dramatic Turn of Events and Distance Over Time, every sequence of albums contributes something crucial to making Dream Theater's legacy nothing short of astonishing.
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Sonicbond Publishing Camel: Every Album, Every Song (On Track)
Camel remain one of the leading lights of 1970s progressive rock, selling to sell-out audiences across the globe, and still fronted by inspirational founder Andy Latimer. Formed in Guildford, Surrey in England in 1971, Camel , though not directly part of the genre, were strongly influenced by the bands emerging from Canterbury in Kent at the same time. In particular, the band's mixed humour and profundity, in a similar way to bands like Caravan and Hatfield and the North. However, and there's a clue in the name, and their music seamlessly integrated Middle Eastern and North African themes, forms and rhythms - as well as Jazz, folk and classical elements - to create an exciting and exotic new strand to the ballooning world of progressive rock in the early 1970s. After two critically well-received, but unsuccessful albums, Camel came to transatlantic attention in 1975 with the release of purely instrumental The Snow Goose, inspired by Paul Gallico's novella of the same name. The chart success of that album led to a sold-out performance in October 1975 at the Royal Albert Hall and cemented the band's place in the ongoing story of progressive rock. With Latimer still at the helm, and after almost 50 years and fourteen studio albums, Camel continue to perform to rapturous receptions across the world. This track by track analysis takes the reader along on their half-century journey, carving out a special, inimitable niche in British rock music.
£16.43
Sonicbond Publishing Queen: Every Album, Every Song (On Track)
* The first book to analyse every Queen song - giving equal weight to album tracks alongside the hits . * Includes analysis of about 20 classic songs using the original 24 track master tapes. * Queen remain ever popular and active, and continue to tour despite the death of Freddie Mercury in 1991. This book examines Queen's music, album by album, track by track, in detail. Where possible, recourse to the original multi-track master tapes has provided extra insight. Those familiar hits are revisited, but those classic album cuts - like `Liar', `March of the Black Queen', `Death on Two Legs', and `Dragon Attack', `are given equal precedence. The book also examines the changes that these same four musicians went through - from heavy and pomp rock to pop as the chart hits began to flow - with a keen and unbiased eye. Whether as a fan your preference is for the albums `A Night at the Opera', `Jazz' or `Innuendo' this detailed and definitive guide will tell you all you need to know. Queen had strength in depth. These are the songs on which a legend was built.
£14.99
Sonicbond Publishing Oasis: Every Album, Every Song
Dave Grohl once said of Oasis, 'We've played shows with them before, where we play with them we think "That's the greatest rock band I've ever seen in my life"'. The quality of the songs they were releasing, especially between 1994-1996, would seem to confirm that sentiment, with the quality of even their B-sides becoming the stuff of legend. Their second album (What's the Story) Morning Glory? would go on to become the best-selling album of the 1990s in the UK and all the while, it became impossible to open a newspaper or music magazine in the mid-1990s and not read about Oasis. From the time their debut album was released in 1994, Oasis' climb to the top was one of the fastest in music history. Even their leader, Noel Gallagher, would say they should have split after their Knebworth 1996 concert. Yet when they walked off that stage in 1996, they still had over a decade left together, and, to the shock of some, many good songs left to write. Heavy on music and short on gossip, this is the story of all those songs; the life-changing anthems and the forgotten gems, the throwaways and the covers.
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing The Zombies: Every Album, Every Song
Most lauded for the gorgeously baroque Odessey and Oracle, and the ageless singles, 'She's Not There' and 'Time of the Season', The Zombies' were at the forefront of The British Invasion, recording music described by Tom Petty as 'so original it hurt'. The Zombies On Track voyages through every release, beginning with their first incarnation in the 1960s and uncovering how a US number one and a film appearance with Laurence Olivier were no guarantees of continued chart success. Poor publicity, unwise management and bad timing almost killed off the band; yet sublime songwriting and a lucky break with Al Kooper reanimated them... The book recounts their many afterlives, including the posthumous RIP; the story behind the 'counterfeit' Zombies; their first reunion album New World; and considers how their later version has sustained success more than the original line-up. Drawing on both archive interviews and new conversations with Argent and Blunstone to mark the release of The Zombies' latest album - the critically acclaimed Different Game - this book proves why The Zombies not only have an immortal back catalogue but are also still making vital music today.
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing Talk Talk On Track: Every Album, Every Song
In this era of lavish box sets and extravagant vinyl reissues, the sheer economy of Talk Talk's output feels terrific, refreshing and just right. During the group's ten-year lifespan, they released just five studio albums, but in the process, redefined contemporary music and spawned a whole new movement that would come to be known as 'post rock', influencing legions of bands in their wake, including the likes of Elbow, Mogwai and Sigur Ros. Leader Mark Hollis's determination to carry out his musical vision would see the group mutate from a synth-pop/new romantic outfit moulded in the shadow of Duran Duran, into the most determinedly unique and unclassifiable art pop act of the late 20th century. More than 30 years later, the group's astonishing last three albums are still blowing minds and being studiously examined by those who seek to break their mysterious code. This book examines the whole of Talk Talk's oeuvre song by song, telling their bizarre and somewhat unlikely story along the way as we cast light on the essence of the group through their work. While a book on this compelling band necessarily discusses the tortured genius of singer/guitarist/writer Mark Hollis, it also casts light on the surprising apres-Talk Talk careers of foundational members Lee Harris and Paul Webb as well as that of producer/keyboardist Tim Friese-Greene.
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing Earth, Wind and Fire On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Since their formation in the early 1970s, Earth, Wind & Fire have been at the forefront of popular music. Led by the fearless Maurice White, the band imprinted their funky style onto the world's psyche, with tracks like 'September', 'Let's Groove', 'That's The Way of The World' and 'Reasons' becoming instantly recognisable in the process, transforming the group into one of the biggest pop acts of all time. Walking the fine line between pop hits, jazz compositions and fusion playing, Maurice surrounded himself with some of the best players of the time in order to realise his vision. Al McKay, Verdine White, Larry Dunn, Andrew Woolfolk and vocalist extraordinaire Philip Bailey were players of the highest order, committing stunning performances to tape and becoming icons in the process. Earth, Wind & Fire On Track gives a complete overview of the group's recorded output. From 1971s self-titled debut to 2014's Holiday, with smash hits like I Am, All 'N All and Spirit in between, here you will find every song delved into with facts and insightful analysis. No stone is left unturned in this career overview, giving both longtime fans and newcomers something fresh to find out about one of popular music's greatest acts.
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing The Beat, General Public and Fine Young Cannibals On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Bursting out of industrial Birmingham in the late 1970s and hitching a ride on the Two-Tone bandwagon for their first single, The English Beat answered the question of whether punk and reggae should mix better than anyone else. Their stunning first album in 1980 was an immediate success in their home country and even as they charted an unexpected course through the early years of the new decade, they retained a loyal following of roots, radicals and rockers. They additionally began to build a reputation in the USA through hard work on the road, but, in 1983, the pressure of maintaining a career strung across the Atlantic tore the group apart. The two front men Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger, formed the slick and initially successful General Public, but they were completely eclipsed by Fine Young Cannibals, the soul-pop outfit created by guitarist Andy Cox and bassist Andy Steele and whose second album sold millions worldwide. This book covers the tumultuous period 1979-89 when this trio of groups poured forth a torrent of brilliant music and covers every album and every track, scooping up along the way the hits that never were, experimental B-sides, remixes and guest appearances. It is a truly idiosyncratic creative flare path lighting up a strange but exciting decade.
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing Faith No More in the 1990s
It may have taken them a few years to achieve a stable line-up, but Faith No More did just that with the arrival of enigmatic frontman, Mike Patton in 1988. By 1990, the San Francisco quintet were flying high on the back of their third album, The Real Thing, and the influential anthem for a generation, 'Epic'. Becoming a household name and mainstream chart botherers with colourful and diverse songs ranging in style from heavy metal to jazz, and rap rock to lounge music, Faith No More refused to follow trends and instead pushed forward with a gung-ho attitude and a talent for songwriting built around sonic experimentation. The band released the critically acclaimed Angel Dust, as well as King for a Day...Fool for a Lifetime and the ironically titled Album of the Year records, before stunning fans by parting ways in 1998. Faith No More in the 1990s is the story of a largely rewarding but tension-filled decade for rock music's greatest underdogs. Providing a detailed timeline of events, frenetic touring schedules, and most importantly- the songs, this book documents the rise and progression of one of the most distinctive bands of all time
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing Van Halen On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Van Halen are arguably America's greatest ever rock n' roll band. From inauspicious roots as a backyard covers outfit, they went on to revolutionise and revitalise heavy rock, creating a world-conquering blend of heavy metal power, punk energy and pop hooks. Armed with staggering musical virtuosity and irresistible charisma, they sold millions of records and spawned legions of imitators. From their humble origins and meteoric rise, through some dark, troubled years, to their triumphant rebirth, the band produced a remarkable body of work. In this thorough and illuminating book, Morgan Brown guides us song by song through the band's classic albums, charting their development from Sunset Strip upstarts to multi-platinum stadium rockers and beyond. We'll examine the music's ingredients and inspirations, and meet the characters behind the songs, including visionary guitar genius, the late Edward Van Halen, motormouth master showman David Lee Roth, and his replacement, powerful vocalist Sammy Hagar, who ushered in a new era for the band. Equally suitable for inquisitive new listeners or long-time fans, this book is both an in-depth guide to, and an enthusiastic celebration of the career of a truly legendary band. Feel like diving in? Well, as Roth said, go ahead and jump!
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing New Order On Track: Every Album, Every Song
New Order have produced some of the most influential popular music of the last 40 plus years. A unique vision of alternative electronic rock, forged in Manchester and exported to the world; connecting with the alternative-minded as well as the club-centric, the football fan and the artist, the boffin and the aesthete. The journey of New Order from Salford and Macclesfield to the world has been nothing short of incredible: their punk-ignited founding as Warsaw; the eternally astonishing Joy Division; the rise and fall of Factory Records and The Hacienda; Martin Hannett, Peter Saville, Tony Wilson, Rob Gretton, Arthur Baker, Michael Shamberg, and many other remarkable associations; side hustles as BeMusic, Electronic, Revenge, The Other Two, Monaco, Bad Lieutenant, and The Light; their tragic losses, their unholy messes, their resilience, and, most importantly, the magnificent leftfield music written by band members past and present: Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, Gillian Gilbert, Phil Cunningham, and Tom Chapman.
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing Brian Eno in the 1970s: Decades
Brian Eno is arguably one of the most influential musicians working in rock music. Starting out as synthesizer peacock of the early glam rock era Roxy Music, Eno not only changed his look but his musical style throughout the seventies and moved from foot-stomping proto-punk anthems to the quiet introspection and inventor of ambient music. Along the way, he became a much in demand producer working with Ultravox! and Talking Heads and also collaborated with David Bowie on three of the most important albums of his career. He also managed to blur the boundaries between rock music and modern avant-garde classical music with the founding of his 'Obscure Records' label. Eno began this decade strutting his stuff onstage to Bryan Ferry's songs and finished it with the serene melodies of Music For Airports and, along the way, managed to squeeze in a couple of albums with King Crimson's Robert Fripp as well as being part of the krautrock scene. This is Eno’s journey through the highs and lows of the seventies.
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Not many artists can boast a career like Nick Cave, which has gone from strength to strength since the debut album from his band The Bad Seeds in 1984. Most musicians in their 60s are relegated to the periphery as the quality of their output becomes tired and predictable and they fail to match the success of their earlier offerings - Nick Cave is an exception to this. His 2019 album Ghosteen may arguably be his best, still sounding as potent as those Old Testament, drug-fuelled 80s albums or the mid-90s streak of classics that the band are most renowned for. Cave's eclectic career has been fruitful, not only as a musician but as a literary mastermind whose lyrics have been analysed and theorised on countless occasions, as he consistently and compellingly mulls over themes of religion, love, redemption, loss and death. This book delves into the music and lyrics of every track in The Bad Seeds' current back-catalogue, starting with their post-punk beginnings on From Her To Eternity right the way through to the ambient synth-driven soundscapes of Ghosteen. Hidden gems from the band's two B-sides compilations, as well as their thrilling live albums, are also be included in this appraisal of a band that are still very much alive and kicking.
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing Manfred Mann's Earth Band in the 1970s: Decades
Having moved from jazz, Blues and R'n'B to out-and-out pop in his various 1960s bands, keyboard player Manfred Mann went back to the drawing board in 1971 with a new quartet, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, and the intention of focusing on progressive rock. With a repertoire that leant partly on radical rearrangements of songs by Bob Dylan and then Bruce Springsteen, largely instrumental epics that borrowed from Gustav Holst's The Planets suite, and improvisations based around the interplay between Manfred's newly-acquired moog synthesiser and the lead guitar of Mick Rogers, who left in 1975 but later returned, they soon built up a formidable live reputation throughout much of Europe (particularly in Germany) and America. Apart from the Holst-inspired 'Joybringer', a top ten hit in 1973, British success was slow in coming, until a cover version of Springsteen's 'Blinded by the Light' and its parent album The Roaring Silence three years later took their status to a new level on both sides of the Atlantic. This book examines the nine albums, fluctuating fortunes and various line-up changes from what was to be their best and most prolific decade.
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing Joe Jackson On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Joe Jackson is a singer, songwriter, composer, and performer who has twisted and turned his career through numerous genres, and continues to release excellent albums forty years after his initial breakthrough success. For some he’s the ‘Angsty Young Man’, forever hitched to two hit singles; ‘Is She Really Going Out With Him?’, and ‘It’s Different For Girls’. Other memories may extend further to include the smooth pop gems of ‘Steppin’ Out’ and ‘Breaking Us In Two’ from the early 1980’s. By the 1990’s he had apparently faded from the spotlight. Stardom has never seemed to be the Jackson’s central ambition; he’s been happier to follow his muse. There is more, so much more to this gifted musician, and this book covers every facet of a brilliant, unpredictable, and fearsomely independent recording career. From early ‘new wave’ successes, via unexpected ‘covers’ albums, film soundtracks, impressive conceptual works, to classical compositions. These are all interspersed with more great songs always written with intelligence and verve. Jackson is the constant musical explorer. For those who have stayed the course this book charts his every port of call so far; if you are unfamiliar but want to know more, jump onboard. You won’t regret it.
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing The Bee Gees in the 1970s
For better or worse, The Bee Gees' music and image has long been synonymous with the 1970s, and the career trajectory of brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb in that ten-year span meanders between dizzying highs and devastating lows. The Bee Gees began 1970 as non-existent - bitterly split after succumbing to the pressures and excesses of their first wave of international fame in the latter part of the 1960s. By 1979, they were one of the most successful music acts on the planet. In between, the brothers crafted timeless works that defied genre, transcended societal boundaries, and permeated generations of listeners. The Bee Gees would go on to sell over 200 million records, making them among the best-selling music artists of all time; they would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Australian Recording Industry's Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and receive lifetime achievement awards from the British Phonographic Industry, the American Music Awards, World Music Awards and the Grammys. According to Billboard magazine the Bee Gees are one of top three most successful bands in their charts' history.
£20.00
Sonicbond Publishing Badfinger On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Generally regarded as one of the most tragic tales in the history of rock music, the story of Badfinger does indeed make for an impressively sombre Hollywood-style film script. A Welsh and Liverpudlian musical hybrid, the band was signed to Apple Records, became protégés of The Beatles, produced four global hit singles and two of its members co-wrote the now perennial pop standard ‘Without You’ (covered most notably by both Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey). Yet, despite all this and having the music world seemingly at its feet, the band found itself plagued by ruinous misfortune and through a combination of unscrupulous business management, record label neglect and just plain bad luck, the dream soon lay in tatters with the band’s story ultimately culminating in the suicides of two of its members, Pete Ham and Tom Evans. However, there is a lot more to the band’s story than just the obvious tragedy and the aim of this book is to help redress the band’s legacy and refocus some much-needed attention on the brilliance of their music, rather than just the trials and tribulations that perpetually dogged them. Badfinger on track … casts a keen critical and analytical eye over the band’s entire musical output – albums and singles – recorded and released during its lifetime. This detailed and definitive guide will not only examine and assess the recordings but will also provide valuable background history and context for each album. Whilst not ignoring the managerial, financial and legal machinations and issues that blighted the band, this book will ultimately focus the spotlight on the band’s musical legacy
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing 1973: The Golden Year of Progressive Rock
During a decade that defined progressive rock, 1973 was a pivotal year. Influential bands like Yes, Genesis, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Jethro Tull, The Electric Light Orchestra and King Crimson released some of their best-selling albums and there was a plethora of releases from less well known but equally worthy acts. This book is a journey through this creative period; stopping off on route to explore symphonic rock, the Canterbury scene, Krautrock, fusion, progressive folk, art rock, space rock, album artwork and much more. As well as the big names from the year when progressive rock was arguably at its commercial and artistic peak, the book also looks in depth at albums by Mahavishnu Orchestra, Greenslade, Rick Wakeman, Gong, Le Orme, Can, Kayak, Gentle Giant, Premiata Forneria Marconi, Renaissance, Caravan, Nektar, Manfred Mann's Earth Band and Magma. But this book is much more than a nostalgic trip down memory lane. It's a comprehensive and knowledgeable guide to an era when music incorporated multiple sections, rich textures, intricate time signatures, inspired arrangements and diverse influences performed by skilled musicians. It was possible to take a dip in topographic oceans, encounter pot head pixies from a distant planet and still be home in time for larks' tongues in aspic.
£15.99
Sonicbond Publishing Mott The Hoople and Ian Hunter in the 1970s (Decades)
When Hereford group Silence teamed up with songwriter Ian Hunter in 1969 to form a group that aimed to be a cross between Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and Procol Harum, they rapidly became one of Britain's most popular live acts, but a major hit single and album initially proved elusive. In 1972, disillusioned and exhausted, they split before being encouraged to reform by David Bowie and finding immediate chart success with a song he gave them, 'All the Young Dudes'. After two years of hits and internal conflicts Ian left and enjoyed a chequered solo career that has lasted to this day, initially in partnership with guitarist Mick Ronson until his death in 1993. The rest of the group subsequently shortened their name to Mott and then British Lions, the latter a collaboration with former Medicine Head front man John Fiddler, although they failed to re-establish themselves despite several solid months of touring on both sides of the Atlantic. As Ian wrote, 'Rock'n'roll's a loser's game'. They won, they lost, but during the 1970s released some inspired, highly individual music, that went on to inspire and be championed by several other acts, notably Queen, the Clash and Def Leppard.
£14.99
Sonicbond Publishing The Hollies On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Everyone loved The Hollies. They were the 'group's group'. Never confrontational or rebellious, always smartly suited, always smiling. The band had an unbroken run of immaculate pop singles which, while they seldom had that must-buy factor of the latest Rolling Stones or Beatles record, was hallmarked by tight harmonies and unfailing chart sensibility. Throughout the sixties and well into the seventies, everyone had - own up - at least one or two Hollies singles in their collection. No-one begrudged The Hollies their hits. When 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother' and 'Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress' became global million-sellers, The Hollies were inducted into The Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame. Graham Nash - by then deep into his second career as part of Crosby, Stills and Nash - was reunited with other members of the outfit, all on stage together in the March 2010 ceremony. This book tells the full story, from the band's origins in Manchester, through the full arc of hits, and the albums - track-by-track, into the twenty-first century, then... now... always
£14.99