The Rolling Stone Record Guide

by Dave Marsh (Editor), John Swenson (Editor)

This comprehensive reference rates and describes albums released in the U.S

Genres: Music, Reference, Nonfiction, Jazz

631 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Back when I had unformed opinions about music I would look at these books as bibles: whatever the Rolling Stone Album Guide said was good, I bought and listened to, at the exclusion of all else. It introduced me to a lot of good music, but labeled a lot of popular music crap, to be avoided. It virtually ignored traditional pop performers like Peggy Lee and Tony Bennett.

When reviewing music that didn’t quite fit into what they considered “good”, Rolling Stone reviewers tended to make high-minded, snide, and dismissive (albeit, sometimes amusing) remarks. I’m sure that the magazine still does. Just check out who Jann Wenner and company let into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for validation of this argument.

Today, if I’m looking for a more rounded and even handed and less smug, critique of music, I’ll look elsewhere.

Now that I’m more comfortable with myself and my musical tastes, I can have the Velvet Underground, Barry Manilow, the Cure, bluegrass, the Monkees and John Coltrane co-habit on my Ipod.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great source of music (Western Rock) up until 1979. Very critical at times. "Third-rate pop-rock from the Progressive Seventies, which proves that neither Elvis Presley nor Alan Freed made a damn bit of difference: there's still one born every minute, and most of them become record company executives." or "The only mystery about this horrible Seattle-area rock band is how it ever got to make two albums." But a great source for historical views on music of that era.

[Eric Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opinionated? Yes. But that's what we came for. Marsh et al treat a wide variety of music from a distinctively American standpoint. Of course, it was put together in the 1980s, so there's much missing, but still a fine resource and a great way to get turned on to some new old music.

[Phil Overeem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of forgotten goodies discussed here, but also much time wasted on dross, and much verbiage wasted on put-downs. Now for the best; later for the garbage. However, this was my second full reading. The first, back when it came out, put me nicely on my way to exploring rock--and encouraged me to dig other genres, too. I am thankful for that.

[Johann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool concept, I started reading this book after some trying times and needed something relaxing that didn’t require a lot of mental energy. This one fit the bill.

Published in 1979, this book leans heavily towards disco, ‘50s nostalgia (a la Happy Days and American Graffiti, which were popular at the time), and gospel/soul/funk music; when Elvis was King and prog rock was passé. Many critics contributed to the volume, which helped advert some of the bias. Baffling to me is how some highly influential musical acts’ albums were considered duds (such as AC/DC), while other lesser people’s albums were praised beyond compare (like all of Graham Parker’s albums—sort of a B-List Bruce Springsteen, who’s music I also don’t like).

[Aaron Badgley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every so often I have to re-read this book out of interest sake. I have always enjoyed the reviews in the book.

[Kozmo Kliegl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first of a wonderful series to actually grade albums and vital because later editions no longer have some very important artists of the late 70s, a title or two are still only available on 8-track despite the CD is now over 30 years old (1978, just a year before this book came out). The 1st of the Rolling Stone Magazine vital Trilogy of Rock (the Encyclopedia & Rock of Ages being the others)

[Distress Strauss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dave Marsh really doesn't like Vangelis.

[CAC · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first edition was very critical, very opinionated and often snide. Dave Marsh was like a razor. I read it incessantly.