A broad reinvestigation of Manchester music history from the 60s to the 90s. Written with passion, flair and an attention to factual detail worthy of the BBC’s John Motson, Hanley convincingly argues that the endeavours of oft-derided British Invasion-era Mancs The Hollies, The Mindbenders and Herman’s Hermits resulted in Manchester wrestling some control from the London music moguls a decade before Buzzcocks’ self-released Spiral Scratch. To further illustrate his point, the author then isolates 13 mould-breaking Mancunian recordings which mirror the richness and diversity of his city’s musical heritage. Hanley inevitably endorses influential titles such as The Smiths and Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures, and to his credit also salutes brilliantly unlikely home-grown smash hits including 10cc’s opulent 'I’m Not In Love' and LS Lowry-inspired folkies Brian & Michael’s 'Matchstalk Men And Matchstalk Cats And Dogs'.
