That rare thing, an academic study of music that seeks to tie together the strands of the musical text, the industry that produces it, and the audience that gives it meaning... A vital read for anyone interested in the changing nature of popular music production and consumption" - Dr Nathan Wiseman-Trowse, The University of Northampton Popular music entertains, inspires and even empowers, but where did it come from, how is it made, what does it mean, and how does it eventually reach our ears? Tim Wall guides students through the many ways we can analyse music and the music industries, highlighting crucial skills and useful research tips. Taking into account recent changes and developments in the industry, this book outlines the key concepts, offers fresh perspectives and encourages readers to reflect on their own work. Written with clarity, flair and enthusiasm, it covers: Histories of popular music, their traditions and cultural, social, economic and technical factors Industries and institutions, production, new technology, and the entertainment media Musical form, meaning and representation Audiences and consumption. Students′ learning is consolidated through a set of insightful case studies, engaging activities and helpful suggestions for further reading.

An exploration of popular culture and its influence on how we perceive the endless varieties of the sexualized human presentation of sex in everyday life. Holmberg presents a short history of the notion of popular culture and communication giving clear definitions and generous examples that illustrate the evolving portrayal of human sexuality.

"Noisy Island: A Short History of Irish Popular Music is the first extended scholarly engagement with Irish popular music, a phenomenon which has provided the world with some of its most enduringly influential and spectacularly successful artists. Combining expertise in Irish Cultural History and Popular Music Studies, Gerry Smyth offers an authoritative and enjoyable introduction to this important (although invariably overlooked or misunderstood) aspect of modern Irish experience." "Beginning in the early 1960s, the book traces the emergence of a distinctive Irish response to international rock music, from the early beat groups through the varieties of blues-influenced styles of the late 1960s, and on to punk and its new wave aftermath."--BOOK JACKET.