APPETITE FOR SELF-DESTRUCTION > By Steve Knopper

A scary book, written by a man with a strong hand and a stronger stomach, Rolling Stone Contributing Editor Steve Knopper takes a long, hard and unflinching look at how denial, greed and arrogance caused the robust record business to implode. Two decades into covering “the business,” Knopper’s access is deep and his understanding nuanced.

Label: FREE PRESS
[Rating: 4 STARS]

A scary book, written by a man with a strong hand and a stronger stomach, Rolling Stone Contributing Editor Steve Knopper takes a long, hard and unflinching look at how denial, greed and arrogance caused the robust record business to implode. Two decades into covering “the business,” Knopper’s access is deep and his understanding nuanced. This isn’t just a “big business bad” screed, but a detailed examination of how seemingly smart men missed the reality of the internet, the fact music is an emotional touchpoint not a column of marketing projections and the hubris of momentum-be it the influx of compact disc cash as people repurchased catalogue or the ability to pump out megaplatinum cheese by immersion. Once people had the power, the flood gates opened. Both for variety and turnover. No holds barred-here everyone from Napster founder Shawn Fanning to über-executive Doug Morris recount their side of the story. One of the great American tragedies you’ll read this year.