Need a new activity / hobby / pastime? Well, you could play lost and found with Bert McCracken, thug it out with Tupac’s big bro, strike a deal with The Beatles, spend a year in Kiss’s boots, go deep with Duran Duran, Ian Dury and Wishbone Ash, or relive the cocaine-and-payola glory days of radio. The choice is yours. Read about about ’em:
In Love And Death: The Lost Notebook
By Bert McCracken
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Thought to be lost forever, Bert McCracken’s personal notebook — used during the creation of his band The Used’s 2004 album In Love And Death — resurfaced unexpectedly online and was safely returned to him after two decades. This intimate, long-lost artifact is filled with handwritten lyrics, poems, sketches and personal reflections from nearly 20 years ago. Now, McCracken opens the pages to share the raw thoughts and formative writings that would evolve into some of the band’s most beloved songs. “This notebook is a time capsule,” McCracken says. “It’s a snapshot of who I was, what I went through, and how those emotions turned into the music we made. Getting it back brought a rush of memories — pain, joy, chaos, and everything in between.” More than a behind-the-scenes look at one of emo’s most influential records, In Love And Death: The Lost Notebook is an artifact of emotional honesty and artistic fearlessness. Alongside raw, unfiltered entries from McCracken’s early 20s are evocative doodles, scraps of lyrics, and deeply personal reflections on grief, addiction, creativity, and resilience. “I never thought I’d publish a book — unless it was weird, postmodern fiction,” McCracken reflects. “But when I found this notebook again, I knew I had to share it. I was fearless then. And there’s magic in what survived.”
This Thug’s Life
By Mopreme Shakur
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Maurice. Little Mutulu. Mogie. Mocedes. ’Preme. Wycked. Mopreme Shakur has been known by many names. Fitting for a multi-hyphenate like Mo: Hip-hop artist and sole surviving member of T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E. and Outlaw Immortalz, soldier, writer, husband and father, filmmaker, record producer, and big brother of / collaborator with the legendary Tupac Shakur. The one thing Mo hasn’t done — until now — is tell his story. It’a a tale of complex family relationships, fame, tragedy, politics, musical innovation, and brotherly love. Born in Flushing, New York, in 1967 and raised inQueens, Mo got an early education in what it meant to be a man of righteous New Afrikan values imparted by his activist and healer father, Mutulu. The son of a revolutionary, Mo’s childhood was rife with unpheavals, inspiration, dramatic highs and lows, and unbreakable bonds of love. None stronger than when he met his new baby brother Tupac. Mutulu said, “This is your brother. Hold his hand.” Over the more than two decades that followed, Mopreme never let go. As Tupac rose to transcendent heights in the industry, Mo was on Pac’s team as writer and collaborator, producer, stagehand, and sibling confidante. Everything Pac did, Mo was there — right up until the day Pac’s life was cut short in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. In his memoir, Mo shares not just a personal story of family, but also one of resilience, a quest for racial justice informed by decades of struggle for Black liberation long before the Black Lives Matter movement, and of two brothers who rose from the streets to become icons. It’s insightful, inspirational, powerful, and authentically and unapologetically Black. As Mo would say: Dig that!”
Capitol Gains: Exposing The Conflict Between The Beatles & The Record Label That Made Them
By Andrew Cook
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “February 1963 marked The Beatles’ breakthrough in Britain. Capitol Records signed them in late 1963 after a year of rejection. When the band hit big in the U.S. in February 1964, their manager Brian Epstein and Capitol executives obscured the true story. But corporate and personal archives now reveal why Capitol viewed the British record industry as outdated and decided to remix U.K. master tapes and create distinct U.S. albums — and how Epstein struggled to balance Capitol’s commercial decisions with The Beatles’ interests. This account explores Capitol’s PR efforts to protect the band’s image, and examines how Capitol’s decisions made The Beatles wealthy. It also reveals how choices by the band and their manager nearly led to bankruptcy in 1969.”
Kiss ’76: Twelve Months That Defined The Hottest Band In The Land
By Martin Popoff
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Take a lively look back at the most significant 12-month span in Kiss’s career, 50 years on, joining Paul, Gene, Ace and Peter as they conquer the world. 1976 suffered no shortage of notable events: Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine beat the Yankees in the World Series. Jimmy Carter beat Gerald Ford at the ballot box. Rocky lit up the big screen. Some guy named Bruce Jenner lit up the Summer Olympics. And it was all set against the backdrop of the U.S. bicentennial. Kiss stomped into the fray with their platform boots, barnstorming the world and still finding time to record and release two of their all-time bestselling albums. Formed in 1973, Kiss had already grabbed attention with their outrageous makeup, stage show, and (of course) music. But in 1976 the band truly took off, unleashing Destroyer and Rock And Roll Over in a span of just eight months and logging more than 100 performances in North America and Europe. In Kiss ’76, Martin Popoff presents month-by-month narratives following the band around the world, across stages and through studios. This nostalgic and handsomely produced book offers a unique look at a critical chapter in the band’s career, sure to appeal to the legions of Kiss fans.”
Duran Duran: Every Album, Every Song
By Karen Windle
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Duran Duran, New Romantic trailblazers and ’80s teen idols, are a British institution. Over nearly 45 years, they have broken ground with their indelible videos, released multiple hit albums and garnered critical acclaim. From their classic self-titled debut LP and the exuberant synth-pop of Rio to the lush balladry of The Wedding Album and their recent masterstroke Future Past, they have never failed to surprise listeners — or influence a new wave of musical artists. In this book, Karen Windle explores their 16 studio albums and key standalone singles, sharing the stories behind the music. She offers a closer look at their biggest hits and deepest tracks showcasing the four members’ talents: Vocalist Simon Le Bon’s singular lyrics and rich harmonies, keyboardist Nick Rhodes’ innovative synth work and the funk-inflected rhythm section featuring bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor. The two guitarists who put their stamp on Duran Duran’s sound aren’t overlooked: unapologetic rocker Andy Taylor, who helped propel the classic lineup to the top of the charts, and American axeman Warren Cuccurullo, who pushed the band back into prominence with his inventive riffs. This book provides a roadmap to their extraordinary catalogue, with something for every reader — both new listeners and the most dedicated Duranies.”
Ian Dury: Every Album, Every Song
By Opher Goodwin
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “We only ever get glimpses of Ian Dury; nothing is as it seems. From irascible rogue to national treasure, pop star to social commentator, cockney geezer to artist, he was a man greater than the sum of his parts. Part teddy boy, part punk, part vaudeville act; he was unique. The music that emanates from this powerful personality echoes the heart and drive of their complex creator. Dury began his career as a frontman with post-punk outfit Kilburn And The High Roads, but had his greatest success with backing band The Blockheads, which featured Chaz Jankel and Wilko Johnson at various times. He found true commercial success with the albums New Boots And Panties and Do It Yourself. Dury went on to a critically acclaimed solo career and worked with The Blockheads again on the 1997 album Mr Love Pants. He also had a slew of non-album hits, especially the U.K. number one Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick. In this book, Opher Goodwin dissects his albums and songs to tease out their spirit and reveal the inspirations behind them. This is Dury: A Blockhead, a genius.”
Wishbone Ash 1970-1982: Every Album, Every Song
By Eddie Reid
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Wishbone Ash formed in London, U.K., in 1969, going on to tour constantly, forging their own approach to songwriting and playing. During that decade, the band created a distinctive, original sound, with twin lead guitars often playing in harmony. They are best known for the music recorded by the band’s original members (aka Mark 1) from 1970 to 1973; Argus, released in 1972, is often considered their finest album. Mark 2 of the band, which saw original guitarist Ted Turner replaced by Laurie Wisefield, continued their success from 1973 to 1980. A changing musical landscape in the early 1980s led to further changes in personnel and musical direction with the departure of original bassist and lead vocalist Martin Turner. Combining original interpretation and analysis with historical research, this book explores the 12 studio albums and the main live albums that Wishbone Ash released from 1970 to 1982, along with the bonus material which has since been issued from that era. It references the background, inspiration and milestones which shaped the band’s musical journey. Whether you are already a fan or someone who would like to find out more about the band and their rich, expressive and inspiring legacy, this book is for you.”
33⅓ | Goldie’s Timeless
By Martyn Deykers
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “It’s 1994, and the London drum ’n’ bass scene is evolving at an exciting, breakneck pace. The record that brought it all to light was Goldie’s Timeless. Martyn Deykers describes how the album came to be: A short description of the sparkling drum ’n’ bass scene of the time, and Goldie’s unlikely personal journey as a graffiti writer-turned-music wunderkind. It digs deeper into the music itself, analyzing several of the key tracks, uncovering highly autobiographical lyrical content but also looking at plenty of interesting sonic ideas that reference Goldie’s previous music and that of his peers, hip hop, graffiti culture and movies. From the beautifully epic radio hit Innercity Life to the darker, grimier textures of Jah the Seventh Seal, the album covers a wide array of emotions and musical ideas. Goldie recently revived some of the music for an orchestra tour, keeping the music alive and well to this day. Finally, the book explores the global impact of this album and its place in the canon of U.K. dance music alongside artists such as Massive Attack, Tricky, Roni Size, The Orb and Portishead.”
Raised On Radio: Power Ballads, Cocaine & Payola – The AOR Glory Years 1976-1986
By Paul Rees
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Paul Rees’s Raised On Radio is, remarkably, the first biography of AOR (Album-Oriented Rock), critically derided at the time but massively popular during its 1976-’86 heyday — the time when artists such as Journey, Boston, Foreigner, Toto, REO Speedwagon, Heart, Pat Benatar, Bryan Adams and Styx sold millions of albums and toured stadiums. Today, their classic songs stream in record numbers and many of the artists continue to play to sellout audiences around the world. They may have been dismissed at the time as terminally uncool by elitist rock critics in thrall to punk and new wave, but their music was, and is still, the soundtrack to so many people’s lives. For better or worse, AOR’s prime movers lived life in the fast lane. Cocaine use was rampant, egos were unchecked, and intra-band fighting became par for the course. What’s more, their influence stretches across generations and through the fabric of popular American music. AOR invented the power ballad, and the sound of it has traveled on through hair metal, pop rock, and right up to Taylor Swift. Raised On Radio is a stadium-sized, massively entertaining oral and pop-cultural history in the bestselling tradition of Meet Me In The Bathroom, Nothin’ But A Good Time and Please Kill Me, capturing a time and place that was as big, booming, and unabashed as the music that provided its soundtrack.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source tinnitist.com ’
