New book on modern Irish rock

Their usual academic tomes get the heave-ho on September 1 when Cork University Press publish Beautiful Day: 40 Years Of Irish Rock.

Penned by Sean Campbell and Gerry Smyth, it’s billed as “the story of modern Ireland from the perspective of the music produced across the island during a period of rapid, decisive change.”

Each year gets its own song and essay, with Dickie Rock ‘Come Back And Stay’ (1966); Thin Lizzy ‘The Rocker’ (1973); Stiff Little Fingers ‘Johnny Was’ (1979); My Bloody Valentine ‘Soon’ (1991); The Frames ‘Revelate’ (1996); U2 ‘Beautiful Day’ (2000); and Snow Patrol ‘Chocolat’ (2004) among the diverse selections.