Review of Rock On: An Office Power Ballad

Review

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It’s anyone’s guess exactly why I found myself in the nonfiction section of the library (let alone the music biography shelf) but somehow I managed to pick up Dan Kennedy’s gem of a memoir, Rock On. Good thing, since it was straight up my alley.

Kennedy is an awkward, thirtysomething slacker who lands a gig at a major record label despite being totally clueless towards just about everything. This is summed up in a nutshell when his first note written in his first board room meeting is “Who is/are Fat Joe?”

Throughout his narrative, Kennedy treats us to his quirky brand of humour, abiding love of music, and ridiculously hilarious lists. Reading this book in public places garnered me many strange looks when I would spontaneously start laughing.

Need any more reason to read Rock On? Besides the insight on the current music industry, consider chapter titles such as “When It Began, or The Twenty-Nine-Year-Old White Guy from Orange County, California, Tells You About Soul Music”. And the “office stuff” shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue is classic.

The only thing that brought this book down for me was the slightly melancholy meditations on life and change, etc. that became increasing common towards the conclusion. I have no problem with this subject matter in other circumstances, but it felt a bit out of place here.

That said, Rock On may quite possibly be one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. Anyone interested in an amusing take on the music industry should definitely check this book out.

9/10

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Added by spiegalr 3 months ago on 19 May 2008 02:36