Rating: 
Summary: THIS BOOK ROCKS!!!
Review: As someone who is in a band and does play music professionally, Jake's thoughts on the industry were an incredible insight. My band, lazyface ( www.lazyfacemusic.com ) is currently working on getting label attention and getting signed, and this book really gave us the in-depth knowledge of what to expect, not only from labels but also the personalities that work for the labels.
Simply a great book, a great read, and very easy to get through and absorb. Took me fewer than two days to finish, and I loved every minute.
Rating:
Summary: One of Those "I can't put this down." Books
Review: First off, let me start by stating that I have been madly in love with Semisonic's music since its inception many years ago, and that love was a bi-product of my love/hate affair with Trip Shakepeare, a band that I found fascinating (great music, lots of passion), yet extremely annoying (pretentious lyrics with strange references to all things Midwestern, made only worse when delivered via rock-opera style vocals).Semisonic is (was?) an awesome band and Jake is a very entertaining personality to read about. I admire the fact that he has the balls to tell the truth and expose record companies, their CEO's and VP's, as well as corporate radio stations, as the empty-hearted, no-appreciation-for-art losers that they are. I know it sounds all too familiar to say this, but in a much more enjoyable world, Semisonic would have sold tens of millions of CDs, while disposable garbage like Brit Spears and (insert pop diva name here) would never , ever have even had a contract with a major label. Jake, fantastic book! It is very inspiring to read of someone else being able to overcome the anxieties associated with public performance and finally "make it" after so many years of waiting for the moment to arrive. And all the better that it was told by someone whose main instrument is a drum kit and not a guitar! Now, get back into the studio with Dan and John (and get Matt in there as well!) and make some more great music!!! SG
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating, Amusing
Review: I had heard the author speaking on NPR and was glad when my brother gave me this book.
Jake Slichter is erudite (how many rock drummers are Harvard graduates?) and has a real knack for telling interesting stories. He is a true writer: a shy, sensitive individual who might not have said the right thing at the party but can go home afterwards and write well about the situation.
The story of Semisonic's semi-rise and semi-decline is a compelling story, and the behind the scenes look into the mainstream music industry is amazing. And not only that it has actually made me appreciate music more - ever since I've read this book I pay a lot more attention to the drumming while listening to rock music!
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious, fascinating, and heartfelt
Review: I loved this book!! Slichter draws you right in to his life, and you feel like you are with him every step of the way on his rise from dead-end day jobs and musical dreams to rock stardom. He exposes the good, the bad, and the downright ugly of the music and radio industries and how they *really* work, something most people don't know (I didn't). Most importantly, though, he weaves his tale both with deliciously sly humor that will make you laugh out loud and with a self-effacing style that makes you feel connected to him. When I read this book, Slichter made me feel as though I were right there in the action; it could easily have been me in his place, I felt, just because he comes across as being so human, like you or me. There is no rock-star preening in this book. You feel the thrills and the disappointments that Slichter feels. You share his astonishment at the byzantine workings of the system. And from cover to cover, you will laugh uproariously as he takes you on the roller coaster ride of rock and roll. I highly recommend this book! ***** (5 stars)
Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC BOOK!
Review: I see musicians in a whole new light after reading, I think this book must be read by EVERYONE!!!! Jacob did such an amazing job, I was just blown away by how fantastic and interesting it is. I wish I could tell him in person that his booked changed my life!!!
Rating: 
Summary: tremendous book
Review: I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes popular music and great writing. Jacob Slichter takes you backstage in huge arenas full of screaming fans, lets you watch as his band picks a manager, negotiates with record executives, endures photo shoots and slogs through endless promotional appearances. Slichter's writing is brisk, with a great eye for the telling detail and an absolutely devastating deadpan, self-deprecating wit. It was fascinating to learn that, with all the success that Semisonic had, they never really broke into secure stardom and in fact struggled with radio play, album sales, and plain old irrelevancy their entire career. Slichter leads the reader through the somewhat byzantine world of program directors, Soundscanning, "shipped but not sold", and the "Clearmountain pause" and does so with clarity, humility, intelligence and tons and tons of humor. I really appreciate that Slichter is a smart and normal guy who can write a book about being a rock star without boasting about tooting coke, going to jail, bar brawling, shagging strippers, and wrecking expensive cars. That kind of thing gets old so fast. This book is an absolute pleasure to read. I'm going to read it again and then start loaning it to friends.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Inside Look At Music Business
Review: Its an industry that so many want to know. But when they arrive they see it for what it is, an evil empire of money, drugs and politics.
Jacob Slichter hits the nail on the head with this book. His simplistic views in the beginning and his excitement are shared my millions who also want so badly to "make it".
When he continues down the depressing but sometimes amusing path to one-hit-wonder-dom, one starts to see the record companies for what they really are.
A sobering look at what it takes to get to the top and what it means once you get there. Jacob adds a great play by play on how radio, promotions, and recording all slowly suck the life out of music and send it into oblivion.
A great read that I will be passing along to all of my friends.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Storytelling and Great Expose!!
Review: Like many of the reviewers, I found that I could not put this book down. It's a fantastic read, and very easy to absorb and understand. Slichter has a unique perspective of not only a drummer but as someone who had pursued other carers and interest other than music. So while a lot of his stories are filled with awe, there is always the feeling that he is viewing his "success" and the music world very differently than many young musicians and bands would.
A lot of the stories were incredibly informative, and I now find myself listening to the radio differently, now having read it. The main point that he gets across is that music is product and not art. This point is continually supported throughout the book, at no time better than the band's ill fated appearance on the Billboard Music Awards.
My only complaint with the book was that it was not very music centered. While one does not need to to know or enjoy Semisonic to fully grasp the book, I was hoping on more insight into the band. Their motivations, relationships, and perceived future. This is lacking, but does allow a wider audience.
A great read.
Rating:
Summary: a joy to read
Review: Slichter's wit comes through with a wonderful self-deprecating style. Imagine a mix of a little Bill Bryson and some PJ O'Rourke. Few books are laugh-out-loud funny. This one is. The book is so good that you can't wait until he writes something else--whatever the subject, you know it'll be good.
Rating:
Summary: THIS DUDE KNOWS OF WHAT HE SPEAKS!
Review: Thank you Jacob.
I hear ya dude. I was gonna write the same book!
You say it how it was, is, and always will be.
Talent? What a concept(?). Connected/Money? Now your talking 'music'.
Now I can go on with my life knowing that SOMEBODY spilled the rotten beans..lol..RIGHT ON!
God bless ya...
Get this book. Read this book. Study this book..then SELL your instruments and get another REAL career that's in YOUR own hands....
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