Any one come across this book?

[The Shift]

Brian Wilson (Icons of Pop Music) by Kirk Curnutt.

Not cheap:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brian-Wilson-Icons-Pop-Music/dp/190804991X/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334835987&sr=1-10

[Lowbacca]

Brian Wilson (Icons of Pop Music) by Kirk Curnutt.

Not cheap:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brian-Wilson-Icons-Pop-Music/dp/190804991X/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334835987&sr=1-10

Never heard of it. Just came out, it seems. Author's a prof. That's not always a good thing with music books. Someone order this already, read it and report back. Then we'll know if it's any good. Come on, folks!

[The Shift]

The paperback's more affordable, just noticed.

S'my birthday on Saturday; I'll put it on my present list…

[zaval80]

I have the Velvet Underground one in these series - grabbed it as it is written by Richard Witts, and his book on Nico is one of my favorites. Well - his VU one was not of the kind, but rather something for scholars. It's not that I can't recommend it, but it seems to me that these series by Equinox are for people who have all the other books.

[Kirk]

Hey guys:

This is actually my book. Zaval is right that other entries in the series are too specialized for non-academics, which is a shame bc I think the books offer an opportunity to some things the 33-1/3 series is too loosey-goosey to allow. (I find some of the 33-1/3s incredibly self-indulgent). Among the Icons of Pop there's a Bob Dylan one that's pretty accessible, as is the Buddy Holly. The Elvis Costello and Bjork pretty much require a musical theoretician; they make Phil Lambert's book read like Dick & Jane. Have no clue about the James Brown, but I'm giving it a shot.

I tried to do mine to appeal to fans, so I hope some will give it a go. I would say if Jim Fusilli's 33 1/3 book on PS didn't send you scattering, mine's not any more scholarly than that. There's a section on lyrics that tries to talk about various themes, not the least of which is what makes a "dumb" one. The music section talks about gender issues associated with Brian's falsetto and what makes the BB sound "white," among other ideas I've pondered for a long time. Inevitably, my interpretations are mine, but I hope I added something to the BW discussion. I do apologize about the price---in the States there was supposed to be a $15 paperback distributed by Indiana UP, but it and Equinox dissolved their partnership after I turned the ms. in. I begged Equinox to keep it cheap, but academic presses aim for library and textbook sales. Anyway, thanks for the mention.

[ontor pertawst]

Thanks for the details,  I'll have to to pick up a copy!

Hopefully nobody will give you a hard time about kerneling in the footnotes or something!

[Lowbacca]

Hey guys:

This is actually my book. Zaval is right that other entries in the series are too specialized for non-academics, which is a shame bc I think the books offer an opportunity to some things the 33-1/3 series is too loosey-goosey to allow. (I find some of the 33-1/3s incredibly self-indulgent). Among the Icons of Pop there's a Bob Dylan one that's pretty accessible, as is the Buddy Holly. The Elvis Costello and Bjork pretty much require a musical theoretician; they make Phil Lambert's book read like Dick & Jane. Have no clue about the James Brown, but I'm giving it a shot.

I tried to do mine to appeal to fans, so I hope some will give it a go. I would say if Jim Fusilli's 33 1/3 book on PS didn't send you scattering, mine's not any more scholarly than that. There's a section on lyrics that tries to talk about various themes, not the least of which is what makes a "dumb" one. The music section talks about gender issues associated with Brian's falsetto and what makes the BB sound "white," among other ideas I've pondered for a long time. Inevitably, my interpretations are mine, but I hope I added something to the BW discussion. I do apologize about the price---in the States there was supposed to be a $15 paperback distributed by Indiana UP, but it and Equinox dissolved their partnership after I turned the ms. in. I begged Equinox to keep it cheap, but academic presses aim for library and textbook sales. Anyway, thanks for the mention.

Always nice to hear from the author. 
Will pick it up if I ever come across a reasonably priced copy.