“Pop Music” excellence...

James Parker, in the Sunday Times, wrote one of the best book review columns I've read in quite some time. If the role of a critic is to engage his reader and make him or her want more, Parker has done that in spades. His takes on Joe Perry's “Rocks,” funkmeister George Clinton's “Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain't That Funkin’ Kinda Hard On You?,” Scott Ian's I'm The Man,” Viv Albertine’s “Clothes Clothes Clothes Music Music Music Boys Boys Boys,” Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself,” and Neil Young’s “Special Deluxe” are all note perfect. The Viv Albertine book is definitely on my list and — admit it — you're curious about the Billy Idolread. Whether you're trying to sort out your reading list, or knock off an item on a holiday list for a friend, Parker's colum is THE place to start. Read it here.