Music Lab: We Rock!: A Fun Family Guide for Exploring Rock Music History

Gr 4 Up—Though books introducing pop and rock and roll artists to the younger generation are legion, this attractive volume, aimed at families, sets itself apart through its focus on the music itself. Divided into seven different chapters (including "Rock & Roll Basics," "Punk Rock," and "New Rock Sounds"), this title covers not necessarily the best songs of all time or even the most popular song by a given musician, as the author states in his introduction, but rather those that he believes will resonate with listeners. Along with basic song facts and an artist profile, Hanley includes a "Listening Guide" for each song, closely examining its introduction, verses, and chorus and advising readers to pay attention to aspects such as the insistent guitar riff that opens The Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" or Stevie Nicks's use of vibrato on Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide." There's a strong interactive element here, too, with users encouraged to make comparisons among singers and bands and to seek out performances on YouTube. Hanley's casual but accessible writing style conveys his enthusiasm for the subject, while photographs and colorful design add to the appeal. Although those seeking a stronger foundation in music history might prefer Robbie Robertson, Sebastian Robertson, Jim Guerinot, and Jared Levine's Legends, Icons & Rebels: Music That Changed the World (Tundra, 2013), Hanley's work is a fun option with an emphasis on song analysis.