Reviewed by Rupert Loydell

If you think punk is ancient history but are still interested in change and cause-and-effect then Jeremy Beadle's (no, I promise it's not that Beadle) book on how sampling has changed music is a must for you. Basically, 'Will Pop Eat Itself?' is a brief history of recent dance music that also looks at the likes of the KLF's propaganda and shock tactics and the way that music regurgitates, remixes and steals from itself and the culture around it. By being very simple and ordered it, in many ways, says more than the knowledgeable theorist Marcus does; and if, like me, you aren't into much dance music, it may open your ears to some interesting music well worth hearing. Neither of these books really discusses music in moral, or theological, terms (obviously). They may take music far more seriously than you want to. But if, like me, you're interested in finding out what makes artists tick, why we get what we do in the music concert hall, nightclub and music press; and on the radio and TV, both of these books will aid your understanding. They'll also excite, amuse and possibly, in the case of Greil Marcus and punk's exploded hopes, depress.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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