6 New Music Books for Fall 2010

What more could we ask for? From great reads to eye candy, these titles are worthy of any audiophile's shelf space

By Siera Cerny
Published: October 28th, 2010 | 5:45pm

Whether you're looking for insight, new ideas about age-old debates, or just something to take you away, finding a book that fulfills your musical and literary tastes is almost as difficult finding a moment to actually sit down and read. Luckily, music fans have tons to look forward to on shelves this fall. Here are six of our favorites.

1. For All of Our Readers

Women of the Undergound: Music—Cultural Innovators Speak for Themselves by Zora von Burden (August 24th, Manic D Press) captures the words of Moe Tucker of the Velvet Underground, the Queen of Rockabilly Wanda Jackson, and many more. It's a can't-miss compilation of candid and enlightening interviews with females who rock hard and aren't afraid to speak up. Pick it up and get inspired!

2. Off the Record

A mash-up of album artwork, commentary, and the wonders of what goes largely unseen in the mainstream, Touchable Sound: A Collection of 7-Inch Records from the USA (October 5, Soundscreen Design) is a portrait of the intimate process of creating records. More specifically, 7-inch vinyl records, the collectible of choice for music geeks everywhere. Well-rounded and overflowing with 25 years of music, art, and culture, Touchable Sound offers pages and pages of eye candy in a beautifully designed volume you'll keep flipping through again and again.

3. Kids' Stuff

The ABCs of Rock (October 12, Random House) rocks! Created by Melissa Duke Mooney along with poster artists Print Mafia, its simple concept (an alphabetical retrospective of rock 'n' roll) is countered by striking images, gritty designs, and the most rockin' rockstars of all time. Short and sweet, these frame-worthy 26 pages—starting from AC/DC and ending at ZZ Top—do not disappoint. Pick it up for musical kid on your holiday list, or keep it on your own shelf.

4. Super-Fan Fodder

Death Cab for Cutie by Autumn de Wilde (Chronicle Books) is an adventure of photography, conversation, and creative collaboration brought together into nearly 200 pages of Death Cab. Wilde demonstrates the band's personality through not only her lens, but also from personal ephemera provided by the band. Candid and timeless, the book is available November 17.

5. Classic Controversy

The Beatles vs. The Rolling Stones: Sound Opinions on the Great Rock 'n' Roll Rivalry (October 15, Voyageur Press) by Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot brings new light to the self-perpetuating debate between two of the most influential bands of all time. From two guys who know their music (along with individual credits, Kot and DeRogatis both co-host the syndicated talk show Sound Opinions) this 194-page conversation is filled with photographs, timelines, thought-provoking analysis, and arguments meant to add fuel to the neverending fire.

6. Gimme That Avante Garde

Antony and the Johnsons: Swanlights (October 12, Abrams) by Antony and the Johnsons is a somehow cohesive volume of paintings, drawings, photography, collage, song lyrics, and writings that is ultimately evocative, enigmatic, and beautiful. With the band's new full-length CD (also titled Swanlights) included, this is a book for fans and art collectors alike.