Ripped: How The Wired Generation Revolutionized Music (2009)

I've read quite a few books and even more articles on and around the topic of creativity, copyright, filesharing, and the state of the music industry, but Ripped is by far the most accessible and enjoyable read. While it certainly rehashes popular topics and perspectives found more in-depth elsewhere, the presentation and tone is pitch perfect. Besides being a clear and concise writer, Greg Kot incorporates chapters on milestone events and anecdotes from everyone from academics like Lawrence Lessig to sonic innovators like DJ Shadow. As a result, marketing history and theories come alive in the actual experiences of Death Cab for Cutie and Prince. What could be dry becomes vibrant. By synthesizing discussions on promotion and innovation with sampling and sharing, Kot presents issues as an interconnected whole. Separating the arguments now seems miopic. Highly recommended.

Appetite for Self-Destruction (2009)

Lately, I've been a bit of a music industry and intellectual property junky. I'm fascinated by the changes and developing trends in music promotion and distribution. Suddenly music way down the Long Tail is accessible. As a music fan it's truly amazing (and at times overwhelming) how much new music comes out each week. So it's not be surprising that I devoured Steve Knopper's Appetite for Self-Destruction: The Spectacular Crash of the Record Industry in the Digital Age.

It's a quick history of the last 40 years of big (and sometimes bad) decisions made by the colorful characters that ruled the music industry. I knew most of the broad story lines, just not many of the details, the who said what or blocked what advancement. You aren't going to walk away sorry for the bastards. It likely will just confirm your suspicions that as the major labels consolidated they became more in it for the money. My only criticism is that it almost completely ignores the indie labels and their bands, which are the labels and band I care more about. Still, it's a fascinating read.

Rock On: An Office Power Ballad (2008)

Rock On is a fun and quick read about the descent of the once-great Atlantic Records from an insider perspective. This book isn't going to make you feel sorry for the major labels; more likely it'll make you wonder how they lasted so long. Kennedy presents himself as an out-of-touch, over-paid, marketing employee, simultaneously representing and feeling alienated from the bulk of the management. While his humorous and embarrassing antidotes from the world of calculated and commercial pop music are entertaining, they made me want to read a book by someone with more experience and insight. It's a shame Ahmet Ertegun never wrote his autobiography.