I Hate Old Music, Too: How Familiarity & Overuse Killed Our Favorite Music

Thompson’s sequel to his 2008 book I Hate New Music is a mix of sarcasm, dry wit, and thoughtful criticism about the state of classic rock music. He claims that classic rock has been put on such a high pedestal that no one can criticize or challenge its place in popular culture. Because of this, popular rock groups have become branded by record companies, critics, and fans, making their music a somewhat dispensable art form, while legacy groups such as the Rolling Stones and KISS draw out their careers by rereleasing previous works with new, expanded packaging and sonic polish. They keep touring knowing that their fans will come to see them because they’re riding the wave of nostalgia. He does prove his point by focusing on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and its flawed induction process. But subsequent chapters examining rock and roll’s history, its place in the 21st century, and its overall importance to fans are muddled by Thompson’s attempts to be witty and funny, which may diminish the quality of the content for some readers.