Popular Music in theory: An Introduction

by Keith Negus

A lively contribution to the debates that are central to popular music studies.

Winner of the International Association for the Study of Popular Music (IASPM) Book Award (1998)

Popular Music in Theory is an original introduction to the key theoretical issues which arise in the study of contemporary popular music. It is organized in a way that shows how popular music is created across a series of relationships that link together industry and audiences, producers and consumers. Starting from the dichotomy between production and consumption which characterizes much work on popular culture, Keith Negus explores the equally significant social processes that intervene between and across the production-consumption divide, and examines how popular music is mediated by technological, cultural, historical, geographical, and political factors. This broad framework provides signposts to various tracks taken by sounds and images, and also highlights distinctive theoretical routes into the study of contemporary popular music. Although intended mainly for students in sociology, media and communication studies, and cultural studies, the book will also give others a deeper understanding of popular music.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

249 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1996

Reviews

[jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though it sometimes reads like the textbook it's supposed to be, Negus' text is clearly written, well-structred, and introduces a range of different theorists and ideas. Negus looks at the music industry in terms of relationships and mediations, and encourages readers to reconsider and expand their idea of what cultural production really means and how it works. Highly recommended to anyone interested in studying the music industry, especially beginners looking for a place to start.

[Anna Schepens]

Aanrader voor diegenen die geïnteresseerd zijn in de basics voor het bestuderen van 'popular music' in al haar aspecten. Dit wordt gebruikt als cursus, dus het is wel niet per se een ontspannend boek ;)