The Virgin Encyclopedia of Seventies Music Book

Organizing a series of music encyclopedias by decade has its benefits and pitfalls. Dream up some pop-music figure associated with the decade that gave us Charlie's Angels, Jimmy Carter, and the hustle and you're rewarded with a reasonably thorough bio and discography faster than you can say "Gilbert O'Sullivan." There are nearly 1,000 entries included in the 512-page book, many of them admirably opinionated, which is a big plus if you decide to make use of the discography ratings next time you shop for CDs. Unlike too many rate-and-review guides, the writers here aren't afraid to attach one- and two-star grades to subpar LPs. Songwriter and frequent Love Boat guest Paul Williams, for one, doesn't get anything but two stars. On the downside though, certain major performers who transcend the decade are excluded from the book. Elvis Presley died in 1977, but he's nowhere to be found. Bless Billy Swan, but is his impact on '70s music really worth a full-page assessment when Presley doesn't merit a word? --Steven Stolder