CAM GORDON – TRACK CHANGES: THE ORIGIN STORY OF CANADIAN MUSIC ON THE INTERNET (1990 – 2010)
FRIESENPRESS
BOOK REVIEW BY AARON BADGLEY
Cam Gordon introduces Track Changes: The Origin Story of Canadian Music on the Internet (1990–2010) extremely well on page one “This is a book about music, technology, innovation, and culture. It’s also a book about fast declines, tech rot, digital decay, and electronic waste.” It sums up the book beautifully and lets the reader know what they are in for over the next 270 pages or so. It is an academic book that attempts (and succeeds) in exploring the impact of the internet on music, specifically the Canadian music scene.
As a music fan/collector/writer, I have been around pre and post internet. My opinions of the impact of the internet on music aside, what Gordon argues is that technology was not a negative thing. For example, it broke down some barriers for bands and their fans. He looks at mailing lists and signing up on sites. It all makes sense, given the evolution of technology. He does an excellent job of documenting the use of computers and the internet, especially in universities. This is one of the many things that makes this book so good, is that Gordon places everything in a context, historically and socially.
SPILL FEATURE: VERY LITTLE ON THE INTERNET IS FOREVER – A CONVERSATION WITH CAM GORDON, CREATOR OF TRACK CHANGES: THE ORIGIN STORY OF CANADIAN MUSIC ON THE INTERNET (1990 – 2010)
Equally, how message boards and forums paved the way for online publications and other ways of communicating news, opinions and information. Equally interesting is the transition from independent bands and labels to major international companies. One never thinks about the internet in competition for an audience, but that is the reality. From web-based radio stations competing with radio station corporations, it makes for fascinating reading.
This review does not do the book justice. Gordon has done extensive research, along with his knowledge (due to his career) of all things technical. He takes a very academic approach and makes it very readable. He quotes the necessary and appropriate players throughout and consistently provides evidence for his arguments. He also points out that even though this is technology, it is not permanent and a lot of Canadian music history is lost and may be lost.
Track Changes: The Origin Story of Canadian Music on the Internet (1990–2010) is essential reading, especially about a subject that is very much in everyone’s consciousness but has not been documented in this manner. The book examines the impact of Apple, Napster, Amazon, and other global titans on ‘legacy’ bands and how they were forced into a world that was just as new to them as it was to their audience.
ISBN-10: 1038352231
ISBN-13: 978-1038352231
PURCHASE TRACK CHANGES: THE ORIGIN STORY OF CANADIAN MUSIC ON THE INTERNET VIA
