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band’s songs and lyrics do little to dispel the impression
that the band’s lack of success might not just be due to
the machinations of an evil record industry.
One of the problems with This Is Pop is that the
events described in the book are relatively recent, and as
a result Jones lacks the self-awareness found in similar
books such as Giles Smith’s Lost In Music. While no
doubt important to Jones, the frequent tangents describing
how he comes to terms with the death of his father
sit uncomfortably with the rest of the story, and the constant
bitterness frequently damages the credibility of his
tale. In particular, the portrayal of Tansads singer John
Kettle is so devoid of any redeeming qualities that you
start to wonder how Jones could have worked with him
BUY Ed Jones books online from and
at all. Like most autobiographies, there’s a strong element
of self-justification running throughout the book,
and the few attempts at self-criticism are unconvincing.
Had Jones waited a few years before committing pen
to paper, however, This Is Pop would have lacked the
splenetic outbursts that make it so compelling.
For all its faults, This Is Pop is very enjoyable and
Jones is an entertaining writer. The vitriol is balanced
by some very funny moments and, if you have even a
passing interest in the music business, you’ll find plenty
to get your teeth into. If you’re an aspiring musician,
This Is Pop is an essential read – if you reach the end of
the book and still want to be a pop star, you’re probably
insane enough to make it. �
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