Klf Manual
This unparalleled expose of the pop-music scene is the unexpurgated reissue of a rare, long-out-of-print book on how to make it to the top of the official UK charts.First published in 1988, the book explains in minute detail all the steps needed to guarantee success. Along with much iconoclastic advice, the authors also provide practical tips on the mechanics of financing, This unparalleled expose of the pop-music scene is the unexpurgated reissue of a rare, long-out-of-print book on how to make it to the top of the official UK charts.First published in 1988, the book explains in minute detail all the steps needed to guarantee success. Along with much iconoclastic advice, the authors also provide practical tips on the mechanics of financing, producing, and promoting a pop hit. This enjoyably written manual gives a realistic exposure of how the pop music business goes, and what makes a No. 1 Pop Hit, in the most real sense, aside of all ambitious artistry and pop/rock star myths that have wasted the time of millions of artists and dreamers, trying to find their way into the music industry the way media stereotypes and mystifies.
The fact the the manual was reflecting on the music industry in the late eighties does not make it inapplicable by today's standards, as much This enjoyably written manual gives a realistic exposure of how the pop music business goes, and what makes a No. 1 Pop Hit, in the most real sense, aside of all ambitious artistry and pop/rock star myths that have wasted the time of millions of artists and dreamers, trying to find their way into the music industry the way media stereotypes and mystifies. The fact the the manual was reflecting on the music industry in the late eighties does not make it inapplicable by today's standards, as much of what is reflected on the manual is still going on - especially the parts regarding listener's musical taste, and what makes a 3 and half single a big success.
The manual is written in a way that is so fresh and casual - with a touch of in-your-face comic sarcasm - that will addict you to finish the manual right on continuously. I doubt it takes more than 2-3 days in your hands - if not for a handful of continuous hours.
I highly recommend this manual to those having in mind a career in the musical industry or seeking for a better understanding of Pop, in order not to be surprised with the disappointments when facing the sad-but-true facts of this complicated business. And finally, give a listen to the author's works and history (The KLF, also known as The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu, The JAMs, and The Timelords). They were geniuses of their times, and they are worth their highly devoted cult following of their owns. Even if it's not for their adopted philosophy and understanding towards the pop music industry and controversial legacy, then at least for their records, which held some of the best production qualities and creative techniques ever heard on records!!! A long time ago, I heard a rumor that this manual existed, that Chumbawumba had obtained a rare copy and followed it to the letter, and that the result had been that fucking 'Tubthumping' song. Years later, I read a story about the KLF dumping a sheep carcass outside a record industry awards afterparty and then setting a literal £1,000,000 on literal fire, and it included a link to an old OCRed scan of this book, which I read half of immediately and eventually got around to finishing after a Good A long time ago, I heard a rumor that this manual existed, that Chumbawumba had obtained a rare copy and followed it to the letter, and that the result had been that fucking 'Tubthumping' song.
Years later, I read a story about the KLF dumping a sheep carcass outside a record industry awards afterparty and then setting a literal £1,000,000 on literal fire, and it included a link to an old OCRed scan of this book, which I read half of immediately and eventually got around to finishing after a Goodreads update from Suzie reminded me of it. I can't speak to the efficacy or feasibility of the method described here, but it was definitely an entertaining ride and a real intriguing time capsule of the British record biz in 1988. Short, fast, and weird. An honest snapshot of what it takes to get to the top of the pop charts, 1988. This relatively short manual focuses mainly on three areas: the businesscraft of the music industry, cribnotes on what makes a song popular, and the appropriate attitude one should have when putting yourself through it. Some of this holds up over time, some of it doesnt (in particular all the studio/vinyl stuff is the most dated). The advice of listening to the best contemporary club grooves and singing inane lyrics un An honest snapshot of what it takes to get to the top of the pop charts, 1988.
This relatively short manual focuses mainly on three areas: the businesscraft of the music industry, cribnotes on what makes a song popular, and the appropriate attitude one should have when putting yourself through it. Some of this holds up over time, some of it doesnt (in particular all the studio/vinyl stuff is the most dated).
The advice of listening to the best contemporary club grooves and singing inane lyrics until something pops out as a hooky chorus - pure gold. Musicians looking to use this as a practical guide should heed elsewhere, as the main draw for this one is its historical record, the humor of Drummond and Cauty, and the KLF connection. I would rate this 23 stars if i could, but alas only 5 stars. 5/5 KLF 2/5 Practicality 2/5 Spelling and punctuation 5/5 on urging you to make tea.I do not own this book. Amazon.com lists a paperback copy in 'good' condition at roughly 1200 usd. There are numerous.txt and.html copies online.
From the introduction: GUARANTEE - HOW TO OBTAIN IT WE GUARANTEE THAT WE WILL REFUND THE COMPLETE PRICE OF THIS MANUAL IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ACHIEVE A NUMBER ONE SINGLE IN THE OFFICIAL (GALLUP) U.K. CHARTS WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF THE PURCHASE OF THIS MANUAL AND ON CONDITION THAT YOU HAVE FULFILLED OUR INSTRUCTIONS TO THE LETTER. TO RECEIVE THIS GUAR.I do not own this book. Amazon.com lists a paperback copy in 'good' condition at roughly 1200 usd.
There are numerous.txt and.html copies online. From the introduction: GUARANTEE - HOW TO OBTAIN IT WE GUARANTEE THAT WE WILL REFUND THE COMPLETE PRICE OF THIS MANUAL IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ACHIEVE A NUMBER ONE SINGLE IN THE OFFICIAL (GALLUP) U.K. CHARTS WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF THE PURCHASE OF THIS MANUAL AND ON CONDITION THAT YOU HAVE FULFILLED OUR INSTRUCTIONS TO THE LETTER.
TO RECEIVE THIS GUARANTEE PLEASE WRITE TO KLF PUBLICATIONS, BOX 283, HP21 7HG, U.K. WITH YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND A PHOTOCOPY OF YOUR PURCHASE RECEIPT AND AN S.A.E. YOU WlLL RECEIVE YOUR GUARANTEE WITHIN TWENTY-EIGHT DAYS. I can't even begin to talk about how great this book is.
It is a guide, assuming 1988 technology and popular music hierarchies, to creating a #1 hit single, thus earning you a performance on the BBC's 'Top of The Pops.' The authors, the musical duo known as JAMS (Justified Ancients of Mu Mu), KLF (Kopyright Liberation Front), Timelords, etc. Certainly have the cred to write this book. Under various pseudonyms, they spent a good part of the late eighties and early nineties on the UK pop charts and doing really weird shit.
Most of their catalog is pop-oriented house, relying on heavy, very recognizable sampling of previous chart-topping singles. Quote: - Without fantasy there would be nothing; man would have stayed up the trees, never ventured into the cave, Einstein would have foregone his relativity, Christ his ascension, Leonardo his Mona Lisa, Hitler his Third Reich and Betty Ford her clinic.
SUNDAY NIGHT Sunday night. Remember to listen to Bruno Brookes' Top 40 Show again. Have a bath; it's the last chance you'll have of one until the end of the week. Remember to sing your chorus while you scrub your back.
I managed to miss the countless reminders to have a cup of tea in this book with that quote. This is a remarkable feat.
The Manual is prophetic at times ('It's obvious that in a very short space of time the Japanese will have delivered the technology and then brought the price of it down so that you can do the whole thing at home.' ) and entertaining at every word. This is a beautiful book written with an unflinching matter-of-fact voice. 'Be ready to ride the big dipper of the mixed metaphor. Be ready to dip your hands in the lucky bag of life, gather the storm clouds of fantasy and anoint your own genius' From the opening lines of the book it's clear that this is not like any other manual.I'd wanted this book when it came out, but being an impoverished student at the time I missed out.
It's not dated particularly well, a fact which Bill Drummond concedes in the postscript to this edition, but the ideas are all coherent and to a c 'Be ready to ride the big dipper of the mixed metaphor. Be ready to dip your hands in the lucky bag of life, gather the storm clouds of fantasy and anoint your own genius' From the opening lines of the book it's clear that this is not like any other manual.I'd wanted this book when it came out, but being an impoverished student at the time I missed out. It's not dated particularly well, a fact which Bill Drummond concedes in the postscript to this edition, but the ideas are all coherent and to a certain extent still applicable: the Golden Rules still make sense. Sadly in this era of pre-packaged, audience voting, karaoke cover version monstrosities, there are easier ways to get yourself a number one, but I prefer the Drummond/Cauty way thankyou very much. I'm slightly amazed that no-one took up the guarantee (if you follow the manual and don't get a number one you can have a full refund of the book purchase price)even out of sheer devilment! As a guide to having a number one single, the book was obsolete within months of it's publication, but as a social commentary and an insight into a particular period of the history of pop (and let's face it, unless you were a member of German one hit wonders Eidelweiss, you had no intention of following the book's recipe for chart success and financial disaster), it made for fascinating reading, and held out the tantalising possibility of fame and fortune. Or at least fame and bankruptcy.
Klf Music Group
With As a guide to having a number one single, the book was obsolete within months of it's publication, but as a social commentary and an insight into a particular period of the history of pop (and let's face it, unless you were a member of German one hit wonders Eidelweiss, you had no intention of following the book's recipe for chart success and financial disaster), it made for fascinating reading, and held out the tantalising possibility of fame and fortune. Or at least fame and bankruptcy. With 25 years worth of hindsight though, it's bit of a mixed bag - it remains a fascinating insight into the music industry, and the authors credibility grew massively when they progressed from being the Timelords, self-avowed one hit wonders to being the KLF, best selling singles act of 1991, but the word count is disappointingly low and the ending trails off to nothing.
Klf 400 Manual
The KLF’s story of how they blagged their way to a No 1 in 1988. A lot of the specific advice is now outdated, but it’s still compelling as to how easy it was to manipulate the charts. The sickening suspicion remains that the era of chart manipulation, of multiple formats and airplay and hype generating sales, was ushered in by music business insiders reading this, the old story of outsider methods ultimately being adopted by the mainstream If there’s one thing that you can still take from it th The KLF’s story of how they blagged their way to a No 1 in 1988.
Manual Klf 300
A lot of the specific advice is now outdated, but it’s still compelling as to how easy it was to manipulate the charts. The sickening suspicion remains that the era of chart manipulation, of multiple formats and airplay and hype generating sales, was ushered in by music business insiders reading this, the old story of outsider methods ultimately being adopted by the mainstream If there’s one thing that you can still take from it though, it’s the hustler attitude.