Canadian music books are few and far between. So it’s well worth celebrating the arrival of not one but two new offerings: Veteran Toronto drummer and photographer Don Pyle’s fantastic memoir, and Rollie (Cadence Weapon) Pemberton’s love letter to music in the streaming age. Buy them both. And keep your eyes peeled for an exclusive excerpt from Don’s book in these parts next week, along with my Zoom chat with him. But first, check out the full list of new titles on the way:
Rough Description: Love Letters And Ghost Stories From A Life In Music
By Don Pyle
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Don Pyle’s tantalizing memoir, Rough Description, recalls first bands, the absurdity and incredible rewards of touring, and dubious-dealing stories of the groups he’s been in, most prominently as drummer and co-founder of beloved group Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet. It recounts friend and work relationships with musician Dallas Good, venerable producer/engineer Steve Albini, iconic comedy troupe Kids In The Hall, whose series and theme his group created, and others. Alternately melancholic and hilarious, this book chronicles Pyle’s bonkers experiences while attending hair school, his evolving relationship with his mother, how The Ramones affected his young teen brain, a life-changing car accident, and other situations from a creative life lived fully, providing oodles of salacious dish. You’ll discover how a punk rock pen pal led to a career in showbiz and how to put out the same record over and over again. Photography, performing and writing music in bands, recording and producing numerous other artists, writing about music, and scoring for film and TV are all part of Pyle’s distinct observer’s eye — one that sees all creative media as aspects of the same stream.”
Ways Of Listening: Building A Deeper Relationship With Music In The Streaming Era
By Rollie Pemberton
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Ways Of Listening is a love letter to music, a sharp analysis of our current cultural reality, and a joyful celebration of the artists who keep creating against all odds. How has the internet changed the way we listen to, and love, the music that shapes our lives? Award-winning musician Rollie Pemberton (aka Cadence Weapon) interrogates our current musical landscape. Music occupies a curious place in modern life, somehow omnipresent and disposable at the same time. Computers have democratized song creation. There is more music being produced now than at any point in human history and streaming platforms are the ultimate distribution model for this vast bounty. But streaming relies on an algorithmic discovery system that guides the user’s choices and encourages them to listen passively to the company’s curation, while also dissuading the listener from searching for music and developing their own taste. Streamers offer meagre royalties to artists on their platforms, largely devaluing music in the public sphere. And social media companies have taught a whole generation of young listeners to perceive music as merely background noise for content. This all adds up to a bleak landscape for the true fan, but there’s another way. Pemberton delves deep into his own music discovery process to present a gentle reminder of another path for the contemporary music lover. He explores the obsession with the “mysterious artist” archetype, studies Charli XCX’s groundbreaking Brat album rollout, assesses the magic of demo recordings, breaks down the Kendrick Lamar / Drake beef, and examines AI’s struggle to understand Italo disco’s strange balance of classic and cringe.”
Is Everybody Ready For The Next Band?: The Rolling Stones 1969 US Tour
By Richard Houghton
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In November 1969, The Rolling Stones toured the United States for the first time in three years. Gone from the band was founding member Brian Jones, replaced by Mick Taylor from John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. Gone too were the Top 10-laden 30-minute sets played over inadequate PA systems to crowds of screaming, gawping teenagers. In their place was a fully-fledged 75-minute rock show drawing heavily on the recent albums Beggar’s Banquet and Let It Bleed, utilising innovative lighting and staging. Led by The Glimmer Twins — Mick Jagger and Keith Richards — the band rocked across America on a 24-date tour whose essence is captured in the live album Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out, heralded by many as the finest live rock album of all time. From an unpublicised opening night in Fort Collins, Colorado through to the tragic events at Altamont, California a month later, Is Everybody Ready For The Next Band? (taking its title from Chip Monck’s nightly stage introduction) mixes contemporaneous press reports with previously unpublished firsthand accounts to present the story of a tour that has gone down in history as the first rock tour of the modern era, in the words of the people who were there.”
Passion Is A Fashion: The Real Story Of The Clash Revised And Updated 50th Anniversary Edition
By Pat Gilbert
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The definitive biography of The Clash — now fully revised and expanded for the band’s 50th anniversary. First published to universal acclaim and widely regarded as the essential account of The Clash, Passion Is a Fashion returns in a major new edition to mark 50 years since the band detonated onto the London scene in 1976. Drawing on Pat Gilbert’s unrivalled access as a former MOJO editor, this book reveals the untold story of a group whose ferocity and creative ambition shaped modern music. This landmark biography includes: Exclusive interviews with The Clash — Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Topper Headon — plus managers, road crew, producers, and other insiders. A vivid, behind‑the‑scenes chronicle of the band’s meteoric rise. The cultural and political forces that shaped The Clash and defined their uncompromising vision. Fresh insights and newly added material from surviving members of the band and other major figures close to them, appearing for the first time in this new edition. Packed with the energy of punk’s golden age, Passion Is a Fashion takes you inside the real story of The Clash — capturing not only their brilliance but also the chaos and heartbreak that forged their enduring legend. This is the indispensable Clash book, now more essential than ever.”
Rhythm & Fire: A Life in Harmony with Earth, Wind & Fire
By Ralph Johnson With Rory Pullens
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Rhythm & Fire is a roadmap of music, resilience, and reflection as Ralph Johnson digs deep to tell the motivational story of Earth, Wind & Fire, from humble roots to worldwide fame and success. Ralph began his drumming craft absorbing the vibrant energy of the ’60s and ’70s Los Angeles music culture, where family and faith built the band’s strong foundation. With the aid of founding vocalist Maurice White, they swear off the era’s vices of excessive drugs and sex, instead aspiring to create powerful music of spirituality, hope, and soulfulness. Through this artistic exploration and their goal of spreading positive influence, their music propelled them around the world. While the band was as strong as Earth and ascended like the Wind, they faced their share of Fire as Ralph provides real insight into the band’s struggles (such as Maurice’s abrupt hiatus, leaving their future uncertain) and the years of personal evolution needed to reclaim their triumphs. As Ralph and the other bandmates learned to persevere individually, they found a renewed purpose and reignited the band, keeping their shining star ever bright. Johnson’s genuine and inspiring stories delve into the deeper meanings of fame, success, faith, and community, proving why, even after 50 years of Earth, Wind & Fire, the band and its message still resonates with fans around the world today.”
I Walked This Way!
By Robert “Kelly” Kelleher & Barbara A Bellani
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “He wasn’t a rock star — but he lived the life harder than most who were. Robert “Kelly” Kelleher was the road manager who kept Aerosmith thriving during their wildest, most adventurous years. From sold‑out stadiums to backstage chaos, from brotherhood to chaotic mess, Kelly was the man who solved the unsolvable — until addiction nearly destroyed him. In this explosive, brutally honest memoir, Kelly pulls back the curtain on the golden age of rock ’n’ roll. Guided by legendary manager David Krebs, Kelly became the trusted road force behind Aerosmith’s rise, the fixer who handled every crisis before anyone knew it existed. But as the band was hurt by heroin and cocaine addictions, Kelly’s addiction to cocaine fell with them — until one catastrophic night at Cal Jam II changed everything. Fired by Steven Tyler. Lost in addiction. Forced to confront the life that made him — and almost destroyed him. Told with sharp humor, painful truth, and decades of untold stories, I Walked This Way is the journey of a road warrior who lived the dream, survived the nightmare, and came out the other side with clarity, sobriety, and a story only he can tell. Raw. Riveting. Unfiltered. This is the real story behind the music — from the man who was there for all of it.”
Elvis Is Dead, I’m Still Alive: The Story Of Asian Man Records
By Mike Huguenor
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The page-turning, definitive guide to beloved ska musician Mike Park and his iconic indie label Asian Man Records. Sourced from over 100 hours of interviews with musicians, producers, booking agents, label owners, writers, fans, employees, volunteers, friends and family, Elvis Is Dead, I’m Still Alive tells the singular story of Asian Man Records. In its first 30 years, the label released over 400 albums, all from the garage at Mike Park’s parents’ house. Founded when Park was in his early 20s, the label has started and supported the careers of musicians across many generations, all free from the pressures of the larger music industry. It seemed things could even stay that way forever, until an unexpected email arrived… Spanning early releases by breakout artists like Less Than Jake and Alkaline Trio, to albums that went viral on TikTok, every record has its own story. All of them connect back to Park, who went from struggling with racism as a Korean American in an overwhelmingly white town to his current status as international underground inspiration. Written by Mike Huguenor, a musician who has seen the label from inside and out, this biography documents 30 years in the life of a record label unlike any other.”
Shaping Sounds: Stevie Wonder, DEVO, The Synth Revolution, And My Life Behind The Music
By Robert Margouleff
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In Shaping Sounds, visionary music producer Robert Margouleff shares his stories of pushing the boundaries of musical innovation, art, and technology while helping create some of the most significant and influential music of our time. Beginning on the set of his first film, Ciao! Manhattan, with Andy Warhol superstar Edie Sedgwick, Margouleff captures the tragic beauty of New York’s East Village and Warhol’s Factory as he discovers a powerful new way to score his movie: The Moog synthesizer. This discovery leads him to meet a studio engineer who would become his long-time partner, Malcolm Cecil, with whom he would collaborate to invent the world’s largest analog synthesizer, TONTO (The Original New Timbral Orchestra). Together, Margouleff and Cecil used TONTO to help unleash Stevie Wonder’s genius on his era-defining classic albums Music Of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions and Fulfillingness’ First Finale. In legendary studios like Electric Lady and The Record Plant, Margouleff became a pioneering producer and engineer for artists like Billy Preston, Jeff Beck, DEVO, The Isley Brothers and David Sanborn. A true sonic innovator, he was an early adopter of immersive audio and surround, developing new mixing techniques for home theaters that brought some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters to life. Shaping Sounds is so much more than a chronicle of music history. It’s a story about creativity, collaboration, and artistic courage. Margouleff interweaves his personal experiences with the teachers, friends, mentors, and influences that shaped him, revealing how empathy and curiosity fueled his life’s work. This memoir is a rich and entertaining narrative of a key period in music history that brings readers deep into the world of record and film production and will inspire new generations of music-makers and dreamers.”
Funk Is Its Own Reward: From R&B To Hip-Hop
By Lloyd Bradley
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “From 1968 to 1978; from Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud to Off The Wall; from the Third Harlem Cultural Festival to the P-Funk Earth Tour: Funk Is Its Own Reward plots the journey of a Black American cultural movement that was always about far more than music. By putting the music firmly in the context of the movement, it uncovers the importance of black radio, how the wah-wah pedal was a happy accident, Motown’s corporate role in the dawn of funk, why Sesame Street was the funkiest program on television, and so much more. Author Lloyd Bradley is one of the U.K.’s leading experts on modern black music. He has worked as a music journalist for over 30 years and is the author of several acclaimed books. Joining Lloyd on this epic journey are a host of I-was-there contributors including but not limited to Bootsy Collins, Lynn Mabry of Brides of Funkenstein, Isaac Hayes, Melvin Van Peebles and George Clinton.”
The Story Of The Blues In 50 Songs
By Mike Evans
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Story Of The Blues In 50 Songs traces the evolution of the blues and its influence on modern music. Highlighting 50 key recordings, the book explores the genre’s roots in Black American culture and its impact on rock, soul, jazz, and hip-hop. Entries discuss pioneering artists like Bessie Smith, Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters, along with later icons such as Eric Clapton and Janis Joplin. Firsthand accounts from musicians and producers offer insight into the creative process, while Voice Box features provide additional commentary on key figures and labels. Illustrated with vintage photos and memorabilia, this engaging volume is perfect for both seasoned blues enthusiasts and newcomers alike.”
Iggy Pop 1977-1999: Every Album, Every Song
By Hans Meertens
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “There’s more to Iggy Pop than The Stooges, wild tales, and the occasional Lust For Life sync in a commercial. Much of his solo career, spanning decades of reckless reinvention, is often overlooked, reduced to a handful of hits or dismissed as a footnote to his incendiary past. But there’s a vast world to explore: the sheer variety of musical styles, the energy, the humour, the vivid imagery, the sharp social critique, the highs, the misfires, the unexpected detours and his collaborations with some of music’s biggest names. This book takes a deep dive into Iggy’s solo output from 1977 to 1999, exploring every album track by track. It unpacks the music, lyrics, influences and the stories behind them. Fact-driven yet opinionated, it draws from interviews, archival material and trivia to analyse the evolution of America’s ultimate rock ’n’ roll outlaw. Whether he is crooning over icy synths, bellowing over raw guitars, or delivering deadpan one-liners with a smirk, Iggy has never stopped moving. This is the sound of his journey.”
Manic Street Preachers: Song By Song
By Andy Johnson
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “A comprehensive career study of Manic Street Preachers, exploring their music, evolution, and politically charged lyrics. From humble beginnings in Blackwood, south Wales, in 1986, Manic Street Preachers have grown to become one of the U.K.’s biggest and most controversial rock bands. In their early years, they attracted intense press attention for their provocative statements, fierce intellect, and uncompromising music. Following the shocking and tragic disappearance of lyricist Richey Edwards in 1995, the Manics recalibrated their sound and achieved mainstream international success including two U.K. No. 1 singles. The Manics have sold over 10 million albums and remain one of the U.K.’s most important and enduring cult bands. Manic Street Preachers: Song By Song is a comprehensive look at their unique and fascinating career, covering their 15 studio albums from Generation Terrorists, released in 1992, to Critical Thinking, released in 2025, along with all other studio recordings. It explores their changing sound and the many political, historical, and cultural references in their incendiary lyrics.”
Deep Purple & Rainbow: Every Album, Every Song Revised
By Steve Pilkington
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Few would deny that Deep Purple were one of the most influential and popular heavy rock bands to emerge from the melting pot of the late 1960s. They went through several lineup changes and stylistic shifts, before splitting up for the first time in the mid-1970s. Talismanic guitarist Ritchie Blackmore carried the spirit on when he formed Rainbow after leaving Purple in 1975, particularly through his partnership with legendary singer Ronnie James Dio. Deep Purple reformed some years later, of course, but many consider this original, sometimes turbulent, decade to be their most significant. In this updated new edition, Steve Pilkington puts his focus on the period from Shades Of Deep Purple in 1968 through to the first dissolution of the band after Come Taste The Band in 1976, via such classics as Machine Head and In Rock. He also discusses the first four Rainbow studio albums, including the classic Rainbow Rising and the hit-laden Down To Earth album in 1979, taking a look at every song from every album in detail. He also discusses live recordings, plus DVD and video releases, making this alternative history the most exhaustive guide to the band’s music yet produced.”
Bucks Fizz: Every Album, Every Song
By David Waterfield
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In January 1981, the four members of Bucks Fizz — Mike Nolan, Cheryl Baker, Jay Aston and Bobby G — met each other for the first time. Three months later, they were catapulted to international success when Making Your Mind Up, with its now famous routine, won the Eurovision Song Contest and raced to the top of the charts in nine countries, selling four million copies worldwide. Bucks Fizz went on to become one of the most popular groups of the 1980s, with 20 U.K. hit singles, including two further No. 1s with The Land Of Make Believe and My Camera Never Lies, and the Ivor Novello-nominated Now Those Days Are Gone. The group survived a near-fatal coach crash and a lineup change to return triumphantly to the U.K. Top 10 with New Beginning in 1986. Often derided by critics, Bucks Fizz produced a wealth of tremendous pop records and this book is a celebration of the group and their music. It examines every track on every studio album as well as B-sides, bonus tracks, compilations, solo and related material to provide an insight into a much-loved but critically underrated group.”
33⅓: Silly’s Februar
By Michael Rauhut
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In early 1989, nine months before the fall of the Berlin Wall, the East German band Silly released Februar, one of the most important albums in the history of rock music in the GDR. The record was both-an artistic masterpiece and an eloquent sign of the times, with lyrics that commented on the political erosion afoot in East Europe and anticipated the collapse of socialism. That the words were able to overcome the hurdles typically set by censorship in the GDR owed in part to the extraordinary origins of the album. Februar was the only large-scale popular music coproduction between East and West Germany, jointly realized by Amiga in socialist East Germany and Ariola in the capitalist West. Ariola assumed the costs for the album, assuring itself the final say. Recorded in West Berlin, the album was released in both Germanies. Yet just as the song sequence and narrative of the record varied considerably from East to West, so too did its presentation and reception. Februar illustrated the divergent meanings rock music held in the rival societies, confirming its special power in the GDR. Differently from what black-white interpretations suggest, rock in East Germany developed along lines marked by unexpected possibilities, productive contradictions, and constant negotiations between artists and the state. This is the subject of this book. It portraysFebruaras the culmination of a long-process of self-empowerment, throughout which Silly gained increasing artistic and political leeway.”
Illegal: Rave Flyers Of The 90s
By DB Burkeman
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Illegal: Rave Flyers Of The 90s is a 500-page, encyclopedic collection of rave and party promotional flyers from the birth of EDM in America. DB Burkeman, formerly known as DJ DB, went back to the rave promoters from his ’90s gigs to collect material for this book. Showcasing flyers, drawings, & other ephemera alongside firsthand accounts, Illegal documents the evolution of graphic design during the rise of home computers and charts the development of cutting-edge styles, many of which are still in use today. For the book, DB conducted Q&As with seminal DJs & promoters such as Kevin Saunderson, Richie Hawtin, DJ Icey, Frankie Bones and more to unpack the thrills & challenges of throwing events in the pre-internet age. A must for anyone interested in graphic design, counterculture, or both!”
‘ Este Articulo puede contener información publicada por terceros, algunos detalles de este articulo fueron extraídos de la siguiente fuente: tinnitist.com ’
