Rock On (2008)

Reality never holds up to the fantasy. Freelance adman (and classic rejuvenile) Dan Kennedy learned that the hard way when he took a marketing job at Atlantic Records in 2002 and quickly realized the major labels were crumbling. His candid assessment of what's ailing the industry in Rock On is on point, complete with moments of absurdity and resignation. Still, he ignores some obvious sources of drama — like ongoing payola scandals — to focus on daily office doldrums, which he details in witty but overindulgent language. Does it really take three pages to recount buying a picture frame? B-