Author interview on BBC Radio Solent.
BBC Radio Solent

[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars R.E.M. were one of my favourite bands back in the day, but, like many others I suspect, I stopped buying their music after ‘Up’ and eventually stopped listening to them. This timely retrospective is just what I needed to remind me how great they were and it’s taken me twice as long to read as it should because I keep stopping to blow the dust off old CDs to listen to whatever album is under focus. Although I am a music fan, I am not a musician so Max’s approach to the songs works perfectly- he discusses the musical content, their development and puts them into context, but avoids the in-depth deconstruction beloved of music graduates. Max has done his research, but never gets bogged down and moves briskly through the band’s musical output in chronological order. Whilst we all have our favourites (‘Monster’ is mine), Max takes a fair-minded approach and I didn’t disagree with anything he said. Reading this book has certainly made me reappreciate.. Read more
NetGalley, Mark Nutting

[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars Here's your backstage pass to all things Mozart. Actually, it's better than a backstage pass. It allows you to be a fly on the wall during his early years. You meet his family, including his also amazingly musically talented sister. You get to tag along as his father directs his initial climb to fame and fortune. You even get to read his sister's musings on him, not to mention look over his shoulder as he writes not another symphony but a remarkably personal, heart-felt letter to his distant wife. In other words, you are there. Based on the premise that Mozart was "The Original King of Pop", this book does an excellent job giving us a look at not only Mozart's family but the times. In this day and age, his father would probably be seen as the ultimate "stage father", which will make you ponder both the joys and pressures on the boy -- remember, he learned to play at age four -- as his father markets his remarkable talents. Note, his sister was certainly.. Read more
NetGalley, June Price

This is a detailed analysis of a time and place just as much as it is a biography of two rock stars. The author paints a picture of post war London and the emergence of teen culture with intelligence and careful analysis. Not just for fans, this is a social history likely to be of wider interest to many readers.
NetGalley, Louise Gray

This book is unique in that it more about the author's experience of Britpop as a teenager finding himself through music than an objective report or a testimony and quotes from the music industry. It speaks to what Britpop meant for it's young fans- with the idea that the rest has already been written. Enjoyable. 4 stars
NetGalley, Morgan Schulman