The billboard illustrated encyclopedia of rock

Kliatt, May, 2003 by Paula Rohrlick

Expanded and updated ed. Watson-Guptill. 400p. illus. discog. c2002. 08230-7701-2. $35.00. JSA

This alphabetical survey of popular artists and groups from the birth of rock 'n rock to circa 2002 should find a place in every public library and many high school libraries, too. There are over 1.700 entries in all, ranging from a paragraph to a page or two in length, and 600 full-color photos. This new edition features over 200 new entries and a helpful end-of-book discography. The information provided includes background, film roles, controversies and opinions on each group or individual: for example, Eminem's The Slim Shady LP is described as "a provocative feast of violent, twisted lyrics," while Britney Spears' third album is called "a labored attempt by the singer to cultivate a more mature image." A five-star system rates the CDs. There is something of a British slant, as the book is drawn from a British database called The Encyclopedia of Popular Music, founded by Colin Larkin. The paperback is somewhat heavy and unwieldy, but music fans will cherish it, and the amount of detail provided as well as the discography makes this useful for reference too. Paula Rohrlick, KLIATT