This book is all about how the mp3 file format for compressed audio took over the world, eventually leading to music becoming, effectively, free.
On the surface, this may sound like a dull topic. However, the book reads like an action thriller. It’s fast paced, skips forwards and backwards in the narrative and generally keeps you turning pages without popping up for air.
And the thing is, it’s all based on true events. We learn all about the CD pressing plants and how discs were smuggled out and released before being officially on sale. We learn all about the nascent torrent sites plus a little bit about Justin Frankel of Reaper and WinAmp fame. And then there is the tale of the record label moguls, the lawsuits against individuals for copyright infringement. Breath-taking stuff.
And did I mention a complete potted history of how rap became a dominant musical force?
It’s all true!
A superb book and heartily recommended to anyone who likes a thriller about a file format!
