Best Music Journalism: July 2014
We’re music nerds at Red Bull Music Academy, but we’re also music journalism nerds. Continuing on from Jason Gross’ collection of his favorite music journalism of 2013, we’ve decided to put together a monthly round-up of some of the best pieces we come across. This month: the Bee Gees, Bob Marley and more.
Islands in the Stream (Bob Stanley, The Paris Review)
A beautiful take on the Bee Gees from Saint Etienne’s Bob Stanley. An excerpt from his recent book Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!, Stanley offers a neat guide to the group’s history, reminding us that their career was far more bumpy than their meteoric disco success might have you believe. Stanley’s writing style isn’t flashy, but it doesn’t need to be. The Bee Gees’ story has enough twists and turns to keep your attention throughout, whether you’re a fan or not.
Legend in the Making: How Bob Marley Was Sold to the Suburbs (Chris Kornelis, LA Weekly)
For those interested in knowing how Bob Marley showed up in the dorm rooms of college freshman everywhere, this article is a good start. Chris Kornelis talks to Dave Robinson – an Island Records bigwig in the ’80s about the transformation project that went into selling a kinder, gentler version of Bob Marley. The end result, of course, was Legend, one of the biggest-selling records of all-time.
Wax and Wane: The Tough Realities Behind Vinyl’s Comeback (Joel Olphint, Pitchfork)
Joel Olphint’s article on vinyl’s comeback is a solid bit of reporting that illustrates the good things – and bad things – that this revival could mean. While Jack White’s Lazaretto just set a record for the most first-week vinyl sales in decades, it doesn’t change the fact that there are only a limited amount of places that actually press records in the United States. A neatly balanced piece, it offers real numbers and deep insight into music buying habits and the work that goes into making vinyl available on a large scale in 2014.
An epic battle in streaming music is about to begin, and only a few will survive (John McDuling, QZ)
John McDuling does some important work here, looking into the streaming music industry to see where we might be headed – while also offering clear-eyed numbers about where we are now. So many tech articles assume that you’re already deeply embedded in the conversation and use scare tactics to illustrate their points. McDuling’s clear and thorough analysis helps make this sometimes-confusing business a bit more understandable.
Pitbull: Get Rich or Die Shilling (Emma Rosenblum, Businessweek)
This business-oriented profile of the rapper is a fascinating look into the high-stakes world of brand creation and cultivation. Pitbull has found himself in a position where opportunities are presenting themselves all the time. And, according to Businessweek writer Emma Rosenblum, he’s taking on as many as he possibly can.
Honorable Mention
Sketches From Ibiza Island (Andy Beta, Pitchfork)
Beta travels to Ibiza to profile two Balearic masters.
Dusted Down: Revisiting The Wipe by Teste (James Manning, Juno Plus)
James Manning uncovers the story behind the techno classic “The Wipe.”
Episode 124: Longbox (99% Invisible)
The 99% Invisible podcast explains why R.E.M’s Out of Time was the most political album ever released.
