Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site pur-ee.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!cbdkc1!desoto!packard!ihnp1!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!hsut
From: hsut@pur-ee.UUCP (Yuk Hsu)
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: New Trouser Press Record Guide
Message-ID: <3239@pur-ee.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 30-Aug-85 11:46:24 EDT
Article-I.D.: pur-ee.3239
Posted: Fri Aug 30 11:46:24 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 31-Aug-85 21:49:30 EDT
Reply-To: hsut@pur-ee.UUCP (Bill Hsu @ Dept. of Eccentric Esoterica, Purdue University
Organization: Electrical Engineering Department , Purdue University
Lines: 34





	Here's an interesting new book I picked up recently: the New
Trouser Press Record Guide, paperback, cover price an exorbitant $13.95.
It's an updated and expanded version of the Trouser Press Guide to
New Wave Records which I do not have, so there will be no detailed
comparisons between the two in this short review.

	Like all books of this nature, whether or not you'll like it
will depend on how many of your favourite groups the book reviews,
and how many of those reviews are favourable. :-) The emphasis of this
book is on newer, less popular music. It is incredibly up-to-date:
there are many reviews of albums which came out not too many months ago,
and the book mentions new albums which are in the works at the time of
press (e.g., Low Life by New Order.) Most of the obscure groups I looked
up were there (though I do not claim to be an expert on new music.)
You will not find long extinct groups such as the Fugs or Faust here (though
Velvet Underground has a substantial section), but there are informative
reviews on Robyn Hitchcock, Bill Nelson, Laurie Anderson, Bauhaus
(whom they did not like...GRRRRR), Fred Frith, Fripp, Eno etc. A few
hours with it has unearthed some glaring omissions, such as Art Bears, 801
and Kate Bush (sorry, Doug!), but most of the "standards" of experimental
rock and the more interesting new artists are there. Every punk/hardcore
band I looked up was listed, though I'm no expert in that area.

	Despite its weird omissions, this is probably the only review
book you'll find which lists Birdsongs of the Mesozoic and True West.
Recommended for anyone interested in intelligent new music.


				Bill Hsu
				pur-ee!hsut