Books by Laura Shenton

Embracing synth pop, an album with a darker edge to it. Commercially, a bold move but with memorable melodies & catchy rhythms, it paid off. All whilst making reference to psychologist Arthur Janov. An in-depth perspective on how the album came to be, how it was presented & received & what it means in terms of Tears For Fears' legacy today.

Bold and original, Remain In Light features a fascinating blend of African-inspired music and innovative use of recording technology. Hosting the hit single 'Once In A Lifetime', it was an album that commanded attention. As Jerry Harrison put it, "Remain In Light was the beginning of a new vision. It was a very creative period and really amazing."

1980 and the earlier part of 1981 was an incredibly turbulent time for The Stranglers. Their misfortune provided the press with excellent stories but rarely was their music written about. With everything to play for when it came to making La Folie and indeed the hit single, 'Golden Brown' it would see The Stranglers back at the top of their game.

By 1982 Rainbow were not only in a good position commercially, but at a strong peak musically with Straight Between The Eyes. Laura Shenton offers an in-depth perspective on how it came to be, how it was presented and received at the time (live as well as on record), and what it means in terms of Rainbow's legacy today.

Aside from the 140,000-word narrative, this is a stunningly visual book adorned with countless photos, many of them previously unpublished along with vintage gig and album reviews, contemporary quotes from band members and rare advertisements, preserving the detailed history.

Laura Shenton offers an in-depth perspective on The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars from a range of angles including how the album came to be, how it was presented and received at the time (live as well as on record), and what it means in terms of Bowie's legacy today.

Arguably one of the most divisive albums in Deep Purple's history. But with four fifths of the classic MKII line-up at the helm and a desire to recapture the live feeling in the studio, that had been a hallmark of their seventies' albums, was it really the worst Deep Purple album as some fans claim?

Sandwiched between In Rock and Machine Head, it is hardly surprising that Deep Purple's 1971 album, Fireball, is so often overlooked in comparison. Yet, it is an essential album - both in terms of how it documents Deep Purple's progression as a band and in terms of what it offers overall musically.

The previous two albums had been met with a mixed critical reception. Minstrel In The Gallery is the product of a band who kept going and weren't afraid to explore - abundant in innovative musical ideas and insightful lyrics. This is an in-depth perspective on how it was received at the time and what it means in terms of Tull's legacy today.

When Kate Bush shot to fame in 1978, her public image was of a sweet young woman who sang about Cathy out on the windy moors. Charming, inoffensive and not challenging. With The Dreaming released in 1982, all of that changed. It is an album that some critics loved to hate - and that's why it matters.

In 1998, Follow The Leader saw Korn's success and notoriety accelerate exponentially. With constant demand for the singles, 'Got The Life' and 'Freak On A Leash' on MTV, Korn exceeded their own expectations. For both the band and their fans, this was the start of something exciting, albeit turbulent.

In many ways, Pictures At An Exhibition is ELP's underdog - so much so that there was uncertainty surrounding whether or not it was going to be released at all! And yet, despite the band's uncertainties, it is now vital - both in terms of ELP's history and in the wider sense of how it bridged a gap between rock and classical music.

Stormbringer was a pivotal album. Blending a range of styles across heavy rock, funk and soul, it is a very unique Deep Purple album and there is a lot to be said about the story behind it. An in-depth perspective on how the album came to be, how it was presented & received & what it means in terms of Deep Purple's legacy today.

Kate Bush's debut propelled her to fame & a phenomenal career. With the iconic 'Wuthering Heights', the young Kate captured people's imagination with her original songwriting style & of course, her unique voice. An in-depth perspective on how the album came to be, how it was presented & received & what it means in terms of Kate Bush's legacy today.

A single song LP, unusual even by so-called prog rock standards at the time. Even though Ian Anderson joked that it was intended as "a bit of a spoof", it's remembered as a masterpiece nearly 50 years on. An in-depth perspective on how the album came to be, how it was presented & received & what it means in terms of Jethro Tull's legacy today.

Hailing from Los Angeles, Sparks relocated to England in 1973. The following year saw the release of their two career-defining albums -Kimono My House and Propaganda. With detailed research this book takes us on a phenomenal journey through 1974 - the year that saw Sparks go from an obscure, underground album to chart stars.

Propelled into stardom at an exhilarating speed due to clever marketing and virtuosity in their musicianship, particularly violinist Darryl Way, the story of Curved Air in the 1970s is of a band that burned brightly before collapsing well ahead of their time.

This Visual Biography is a wonderful keep-sake souvenir portraying the band's rise to superstardom, right up to 2019's Simulation Theory tour. The largely, previously unpublished photos are complimented with a 15,000 word band history by music author Laura Shenton.