An interesting book about the history of some of the most famous and successful labels in the record industry. That would be Warner Brothers Records and its various subsidiaries. The book starts early on in its inception and proceeds to detail the history from there. Included are the professional histories of some of the executives and musicians who became legends in their own rights.

Though I found this book interesting in many aspects, there's lots of whitewashing that I can't get into here. I only know this from having connections on the inside. A lot of dirt was swept away and other details were glorified. With that said, it's still an important company that put out a vast amounts of music that was, and always will be a deep rooted part of our lives. That alone makes this worth reading.

An interesting story of how a group of men and women also, were told to go with their gut when finding new talent. All of them thought out of the box and though many would at times think that maybe, just maybe it would be a risk they went ahead and signed an artist. Be it Jimmi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, even Van Halen, Prince, Madonna many others as well. During this time I was buying records, and vinyl but I really never paid attention to the labels until much later when I really started collecting albums, but many of the artists that were talked about in this book I listened to and or bought their records. Finding out the back story was and is just an added bonus for me. Of course, some of the artists myself and others did not need advertising we would just buy the next album. Finding out about that side was a plus as well, I found this to be a very fascinating book with plenty of information.

I am such a fan of nonfiction books and music, so I immediately was interested in Sonic Boom. I find it so fascinating how the music industry works. So much so that in college I took a rock history class. This book dives deep into this one label and provides so much insight.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of Sonic Boom by Peter Ames Carlin. Growing up, I was a huge fan of Fleetwood Mac and James Taylor, Van Morrison and REM (the latter of which obsessions has yet to wane) and I am absolutely fascinated by the industry and companies that made those musicians who they are today. This book is an insightful, well presented look at music company giant Warner Bros Records and I loved reading about the various artists and experiences in making the music.

Very well-researched, informative, and yet still interesting look at how the business side of music works. Definitely recommended for the serious musicophile with an interest in the behind the scenes side of things, but there's enough here to keep the more casual music fan engaged as well. I learned a lot about the music industry, but I think I could have read this one a little faster had I not been distracted by creating a playlist of the great artists name-dropped in the book.

Thanks to Netgalley, Henry Holt & Company, and Goodreads for providing me with ARCs in return for my honest opinions.

My thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Peter Ames Carlin's Sonic Boom: How Warner Bros. Records Revolutionized Rock 'n' Roll is a profile/biography of the record label under the leadership of No Latin, an important person in music and record label history, which soon becomes clear. The book describes both the art and the artists curated and cultivated by the label where music was first, the money could and sometimes did not was something for later. Ames covers every aspect of the business, from recording, production, marketing even the making of the LPs and their distribution. Plus his interviews give voice to many of those who saw, created , schemes to get ahead, or just a better deal for themselves. Its truly amazing a label like this existed,and each page is full of interesting facts, comments and ideas on art and its creation. An excellent book for both fans and serious musicphile.

If you are old enough to remember when vinyl records were the only choice to buy music, you, like me, will love the behind-the-scenes rock music production stories included in the excellent Sonic Boom.

In 1958, Jack Warner started Warner Bros Records to cash in on the profits that the soundtracks from his movies were making other record companies. His one rule? “No rock ‘n’ roll on my label.” That was to change less than ten years later as the label changed the trajectory of music by embracing music as an art form and not a business.

“I’m trying to stop record companies from using artists, and start artists using record companies.”

I didn’t realize how transformative Warner Bros Records was—not only to music but pop culture itself. Think of a pop or rock icon and more likely than not they worked with WBR sometime in the past. From Frank Sinatra, Joni Mitchell, The Grateful Dead, Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac, Prince, to The Red Hot Chili Peppers, every music style is included.

However, my personal favorite portion of the book was the description of how management changed over the years. Regardless of the loose dress code and extensive drug use, WBR was by the 1990s a turbulent cauldron of office politics and unreserved backstabbing. After all, running a multimillion dollar company was a zero sum game since only one person could be in charge.

If you like music, you need to read Sonic Boom. 5 stars and a favorite!

Thanks to Henry Holt & Company and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

History of Warner Brothers Records. I found out things I did not know had anything to do with this company. Nicely presented with information about artists. It was fun to read about artist I had forgot started on this label. Good book for any music buff. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on this review. Recommended.

Short, quick read of the rise of Warner Bros. records. I had no idea how many artists they had on their label. Really impressive! I've listened to many of the artists on their label over the decades, but never really paid any attention to companies until Geffin in the 70's (that was quite a tale in itself!) It was well worth a read, however, and any music fan would likely enjoy it,.

I consider myself a music junkie so I requested this book ASAP. I’m a fan and journalist. This book kept my attention and I would love a hard copy for my reference library.