The Rock Yearbook, 1981

They just don't make 'em like this anymore. This is an exhaustive collection of articles and reviews dealing with music released during the 1979-1980 financial year. There's a wrap-up of the Year in Rock, Jazz, Blues and more-- with a focus on genres that wouldn't get page space today. There are features on the 'Acts of the Year', including The Pretenders, Tom Petty and The Specials. There's the US and UK charts for the entire period-- chuckle as you remember what singles dominated the summer of your youth, and puzzle over other titles that made it to the top (but are never remembered). A great read, with the kind of quality critical analysis that's hard to find anywhere these days.