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Title: Songbook by Nick Hornby ISBN: 1-57322-356-5 Publisher: Riverhead Books Pub. Date: 07 October, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.15 (27 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Gentle, astute reflections on music and taste
Comment: What makes a person like a song? What makes a person love a song? Nick Hornby's reflections on songs he's loved, and why he's loved them, became, for me, one of those works of art that makes me think as much about my own experiences as the author's. He got me considering what music I've loved and why, giving his book a deeper meaning and greater enjoyment than you'd expect to find on its surface.
Sure, this isn't great literature. I wouldn't expect him to rake in the literary awards for "Songbook". But reading it was a quietly enjoyable experience, like sitting down for coffee with a good friend and talking about life, love, and art. Hornby's writing style is, as always, deceptively casual. Accessible, astute, and precise, but not self-satisfied or self-concious. I envy that.
I won't disagree with the critics here who were disappointed that the included CD only contains a few of the selections Hornby describes. But I give you this: Most of the selections on the CD are songs I'd never heard of and wouldn't have been able to find easily. Others that aren't included on the disc, like, say, "Thunder Road", a person might already own. Or could find somewhere, quickly. Given the market pressures that I'm sure shaped the CD selection I'm pretty satisfied with what we've been given. These songs, though, form a nice, mellow soundtrack to read by. I like, too, that they all seem to have the same sort of rhythm to them, and similar lyrical styles. They made me feel like I was getting yet another peek into Hornby's mind, on a more personal level than through his words alone.
Rating: 4
Summary: Great book by a thoughtful writer
Comment: If you're familiar with Nick Hornby, then you already know he's a huge music fan. In "Songbook", he writes short (each one is about 3-6 pages long) essay pieces discussing some of his favorite songs. His selections are unique and his insights are often wry and humorous. He's truly able to explain what these songs mean to him and what music in general means to fans: how it inspires us and informs the other areas of our lives. The book is an enjoyable (and very quick) read. The accompanying "mix" CD features several of the songs from the book and serves as a great introduction to these bands.
If I have a complaint with this book (and it's a very minor one), it's that some of the essays only tangentially explore their corresponding song. For example, the combined Dylan/Beatles essay only mentions the Beatles "Rain" in the very last paragraph of the essay and it's rather glossed over. This is a minor flaw overall, however, and I highly recommend this book to all music lovers. It will make you think about your passion in some new ways and it will also expose you to lots of great new music.
Rating: 5
Summary: Love Music
Comment: Hornby loves music. He expresses his love in this short book of essays. When he talks about music, he means pop, but not in the narrow sense of the term. Pop by his definition includes rock, reggae, country, R&B, rap, and so on. Through examining 31 songs, Hornby explores the many facets of pop. Some people would claim that pop is just junk or throw-away music, but Hornby claims this is actually one of the good points of pop music. Pop doesn't reach for immortality because it has the maturity to admit that immortality is impossible. Hornby is particularly critical of classical music. He claims it makes no sense to listen to music that has already been over-analyzed and has had the life drained out of it. There's nothing new to learn or experience. Whereas pop fans will always find something new or refreshing. Fans of pop enjoy the mystery of "figuring out" a song and when they're done, they move on to the next one. The puzzle is never complete. The challenge is eternal.
If you're a fan of music, you have to read this book. Even if you don't agree with Hornby's opinions, you'll think about pop music in a different way. You'll find new life in your CD collection. Rediscover your love of music.
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Title: Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby ISBN: 1573226882 Publisher: Riverhead Books Pub. Date: March, 1998 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Speaking With the Angel by Nick Hornby ISBN: 1573228583 Publisher: Riverhead Books Pub. Date: 06 February, 2001 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: High Fidelity by Nick Hornby ISBN: 1573225517 Publisher: Riverhead Books Pub. Date: August, 1996 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2002 by Michael Cart, Dave Eggers ISBN: 0618246940 Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co Pub. Date: 15 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: How to Be Good by Nick Hornby ISBN: 1573229326 Publisher: Riverhead Books Pub. Date: 30 April, 2002 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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