The definitive progressive rock record guide

book cover

"Strawberry Bricks is all about the search and discovery of music"

OUT NOW!
The Strawberry Bricks Guide to Progressive Rock by Charles Snider is the definitive record guide to the classic progressive era of rock music. Beginning in 1967 and continuing until 1982, the book presents the progressive rock canon, set in the presentation of a timeline. This third edition extends the timeline into the early 80s, to offer a more natural conclusion to the progressive era, as well as offering a broader selection of albums from the era. The newly written Prologue offers a historical perspective of the pretext to the progressive era, beginning post-WWII, while the Epilogue offers a current perspective on progressive rock since the early 80s.

I’ve also spent a good deal of time fact-checking every detail in the book, including song titles and artist names. Further, this edition has been professionally edited and peer reviewed, all to make this as exacting and rewarding a book as the music it covers. Strawberry Bricks is another narrative on the classic era of progressive rock, one with hopefully a novel and candid outlook on the genre, its albums and the men that made it one of the most interesting chapters in rock’s history.

With 212 more reviews, 210 more pages, completely fact-checked and professionally edited, and with a full index, the third edition is a substantial upgrade to owners of the first edition of the book. For owners of the second edition, Matt Howarth once again revisits his original artwork for Strawberry Bricks.
Enjoy the music!
Charles Snider, Chicago, March 2020

Praise for Strawberry Bricks:

"500+ excellent essays that merge album reviews with band histories, and then mash that into an over-arching chronological framework to not only trace the genre’s “rise” and “fall,” but also the vast parameters that it was capable of embracing."- Dave Thompson, Goldmine Magazine

"Each of the over 500 entries is lovingly annotated with insightful breakdowns of each subject, which resulted in me reacquainting myself with many albums I hadn't thought about in years. Whether you are the novice getting your cape dirty for the first time, or a seasoned veteran who enjoys a fresh perspective, this is your mountain to climb."- Eric Reidelberger, Ugly Things Magazine

"What really works with this book is Snider’s consistently succinct style. Few words are wasted. In a few short paragraphs per entry he manages to provide historical context of the musicians involved, describe tracks, and critically evaluate the music before summarising later projects. There’s a wry familiarity which emphasizes what is clearly a deep love for the music covered."
- Phil Howitt, Facelift

"Superb encyclopedic overview of the prog scene in the late 60s and 70s... Well-written and entertaining, this is a must-have for anyone who's into music."
- Raymond Benson, Author, Musician and Film Historian

"...I am ready to explore the third edition of this arguably greatest book on the progressive rock."
- Leonardo Pavkovic, MoonJune Records

“In Strawberry Bricks Charles Snider gives us a history of progressive rock from 1967 to 1982 through his astute, colourful and insightful entries on a personal selection of over 500 albums – and not always the obvious choices. He acts as an informed and trustworthy guide leading the reader on a fascinating journey through the genre.”
- Mike Barnes, A New Day Yesterday: UK Progressive Rock & The 1970s

“Snider’s research is impeccable, his writing style enjoyable and it’s hard to fault the inclusion of any of the hundreds of albums he covers.”
- Kev Rowland, The Progressive Underground

Comments on previous editions of Strawberry Bricks:

“Most impressive! I can see it’s phenomenally well researched. Well done.”
- Hugh Banton, Van der Graaf Generator

"Only one major book on progressive rock that matters has been published this year, and it's this one: The Strawberry Bricks Guide to Progressive Rock (Revised and Expanded Edition) by Charles Snider. This is a work of great passion and expertise by a true aficionado and historian of the form. It's an exhaustive, comprehensive and engaging overview of the genre. It also offers 504 (!) reviews of important albums from the "golden era" of this music from 1967 to 1982. This is a valuable addition to the library of every enthusiast of progressive music."
-- Anil Prasad, Innerviews

"It's thorough enough without being too wordy. The author gives you space enough to draw your own conclusions, but it does help you get your bearings. As well as introducing groups I had never heard of, it also provides a second look at some albums or songs that I have listened to for years but may have overlooked or forgotten. Great read, helpful guide to a wide spectrum of music. And it's a bargain at twice the price."
-- John Trammell, Facebook

“Charles Snider has an encyclopedic knowledge of progressive rock, and has accrued one of the world’s most formidable record collections. No one is better equipped to write the definitive discography of this rich genre of music.”
-- Jonathan Schang, District 97

“Charles Snider’s Strawberry Bricks record guide is accessible, comprehensive, and in dispensable. A great read and an excellent resource.”
-- Will Romano, author of Close to the Edge: How Yes’s Masterpiece Defined Prog Rock & Mountains Come Out of the Sky

“Navigating the topographic oceans, surviving the brain salad surgery and in general making sense of the dense, incredibly ambitious, and so often misunderstood or unfairly denigrated genre of progressive rock is a difficult task, but Charles Snider accomplishes it with the insight of the very best rock critics combined with the infectious enthusiasm of the most devoted fans.”
-- Jim DeRogatis, Music Critic & co-host of Sound Opinions

The 3rd Edition of "The Strawberry Bricks Guide to Progressive Rock" was released on March 27th, 2020. Available directly from strawberrybricks.com, and from Amazon.com (including UK, JP and the EU). Published strawberrybricks.com via Kindle Direct Publishing, an Amazon company.