Book Review
May. 22nd, 2014 12:10 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kenjariHow Music Works
by David Byrne
Before I get into the book itself, I just want to note how very attractive and awesome the hardcover edition of this book is. It's got a nice, simple embossed white cover, the covers are ever so slightly puffy, making it fun to hold. The paper is just the right weight - slightly thicker than most books, and the color pictures are beautifully reproduced. It's one of the nicest books I own, as far as the physicality of it goes.
There were many things I liked about this book and some I didn't, but I enjoyed reading it overall.
Likes:
Byrne has a lot of interesting things to say about music and his experiences in and out of the Talking Heads.
Byrne's views on the social and cultural functions of music and how these contexts affect its creation are very interesting and often resonated with me.
His discussion of how the music business works from a logistical and financial perspective was incredibly illuminating. These sections were especially effective since they functioned as both an explanation for audiences and fans and as advice for musicians at the early stages of their careers.
Byrne is full of optimism and positivity when it comes to popular music and how it's going to be made. It was kind of refreshing to hear from someone who doesn't think everything is going to hell.
Byrne's writing is good - the prose flows well and is always clear.
Dislikes:
I kind of wished Byrne had left classical music out of it entirely. It's quite clear whenever he discusses it that he is really out of his element. This is particularly clear when he's talking about contemporary classical music. Plus, he really seems to have a bias against classical music, buying into stereotypes of classical music as the preserve of the rich and elite.
The title is something of a misnomer - it's not quite how music works from a technical or theoretical standpoint. It's really more of an exploration of all the things Byrne has learned about music and its function in society as a result of his long and varied career.
Neutral:
I am not really the primary audience for this book. I don't think Byrne is trying to address other professional, highly educated/experienced musicians. I think he is mainly addressing the audience and fans, and sometimes people who are just starting out as musicians. This meant that there wasn't too much in the book that was truly new or revelatory for me.
by David Byrne
Before I get into the book itself, I just want to note how very attractive and awesome the hardcover edition of this book is. It's got a nice, simple embossed white cover, the covers are ever so slightly puffy, making it fun to hold. The paper is just the right weight - slightly thicker than most books, and the color pictures are beautifully reproduced. It's one of the nicest books I own, as far as the physicality of it goes.
There were many things I liked about this book and some I didn't, but I enjoyed reading it overall.
Likes:
Byrne has a lot of interesting things to say about music and his experiences in and out of the Talking Heads.
Byrne's views on the social and cultural functions of music and how these contexts affect its creation are very interesting and often resonated with me.
His discussion of how the music business works from a logistical and financial perspective was incredibly illuminating. These sections were especially effective since they functioned as both an explanation for audiences and fans and as advice for musicians at the early stages of their careers.
Byrne is full of optimism and positivity when it comes to popular music and how it's going to be made. It was kind of refreshing to hear from someone who doesn't think everything is going to hell.
Byrne's writing is good - the prose flows well and is always clear.
Dislikes:
I kind of wished Byrne had left classical music out of it entirely. It's quite clear whenever he discusses it that he is really out of his element. This is particularly clear when he's talking about contemporary classical music. Plus, he really seems to have a bias against classical music, buying into stereotypes of classical music as the preserve of the rich and elite.
The title is something of a misnomer - it's not quite how music works from a technical or theoretical standpoint. It's really more of an exploration of all the things Byrne has learned about music and its function in society as a result of his long and varied career.
Neutral:
I am not really the primary audience for this book. I don't think Byrne is trying to address other professional, highly educated/experienced musicians. I think he is mainly addressing the audience and fans, and sometimes people who are just starting out as musicians. This meant that there wasn't too much in the book that was truly new or revelatory for me.
no subject
Date: 2014-05-22 05:59 am (UTC)Bummer. I quite enjoyed his Bicycle Diaries.