The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic

In this revised and expanded edition of her 2015 book, including a new foreword by Samatha Irby, music critic Hopper (Night Moves, 2018) offers readers an additional dose of her witty insights as she reflects on the impact of the collection’s original release. Organized thematically, Hopper’s essays touch on the galling moves of Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga’s fabulous fakeness, and the endless releases of Nirvana anniversary-edition box sets. Among her new pieces is a commentary regarding female country artists in Nashville receiving less airplay than their male counterparts. Not unrelated, Hopper’s tongue-in-check title points out that the majority of critics are men, and though the fact that Hopper is a successful female critic is not the book’s intended takeaway, it’s a significant one. Hopper’s hope is that this new edition will serve as a guide for young women entering the music criticism industry.

All music fans seeking an authentic voice in criticism will find this book invaluable, as will teenagers who live and breathe music.