Listen to This (edition 2010)

Not an entirely easy read because I wasn't interested in all the music or musicians covered in this collection of essays. I did enjoy parts of it, like the first few essays, the sections on Bjork, Mozart, Radiohead, Bob Dylan and classical music in China. Thanks to an internet-linked guide of music referenced in this collection I also found some new pieces to check out and follow up. ( )

Had I not read the author's "The Rest is Noise" before reading "Listen to This", I would probably have enjoyed "Listen" more and might given it four stars. But that's the problem with being the pretty good younger sibling of a dazzling first child: nobody judges you on your own merits. "Noise" is one of the few books that have really taught me a lot: it's also a beautifully written book, which pulls the reader along without the effort that usually accompanies the process of learning a lot.

"Listen" isn't in the same league as "Noise". Now, before going further, I should say that it clearly was not intended to be. "Listen to This", as Ross says, "combines various New Yorker articles, several of them substantially revised, with one long piece written for the occasion." The articles cover a wide range of musical topics, ranging in time from the Renaissance to yesterday, and in genre from the most popular to the most intellectualized. There is little structural linkage between one article and another, and it probably doesn't matter much if you read them out of order.

The articles are well worth reading, though some (not surprisingly) are on topics of more interest to this reader than others. But that is good feature in this sort of miscellany. Reading something about a musician or composer in whom the reader has absolutely no interest could (and in this case did) spark some interest, leading to a listen to one of the works in question, and to a broadening of horizons. The first essay stands, which traces a few musical figures through the whole history of "western" music, is of particular interest. It is also demanding, whereas some of the other essays are the non-fiction equivalent of easy listening.

As usual, Ross's writing is a delight; clear, supple, and unusually successful in conveying something about music (so much writing about music brings to mind the quote about dancing about architecture) Also, thanks and cheers for his website (http://www.therestisnoise.com/listentothis/) where you can listen to the music he discusses in the book.

In sum, this is a pleasant and perceptive collection of essays by a music critic who is always worth reading. Let's hope that something more major is waiting in the wings. ( )

Some really good, and a great range of music journalism, from Brahms to Björk. Best read in conjunction with his website, which has audio clips (I discovered this afterwards). Sometimes it's a bit frustrating to read a musical analysis of a Brahms symphony you've never heard. Even made me want to try listening to Dylan. ( )

I loved Alex Ross' last book, The Rest is Noise, about 20th Century music. The New York Times music critic comes back with a follow-up, Listen to This, a series of essays running the gamut from Verdi and Brahms to Bjork and Radiohead. What you, dear reader, will get from this book depends on (1) your affinity with the subject matter and (2) your level of music education. Ross is well-educated (obviously), and too often he seems to flex his knowledge to impress his peers -- and that leaves more pedestrian readers in the dust. It is mostly when discussing Classical music that Ross goes over the edge...his more contemporary subjects are easier to follow.

It's nice to hear a respected critic cover the gamut of music styles. Rarely does the general audience look so deeply into contemporary music -- and with good reason, most of it is shallow and vapid. Ross picks good subjects though -- in fact, I once heard Bill McLGlaughlin on the radio expounding on the music of Bjork (who happens to be one of my faves).

Ross also covers the deplorable state of music education in this country -- but I think he could have done better. In passing he mentions the academic correlation between music education and academic excellence -- this is something I have first-hand experience with. Of course, this does not help combat anti-intellectual right-wingers responsible for slashing arts funding in the first place.

The Rest is Noise took advantage of the audiobook format by offering a lot of samples in line with the discussion. There is still some of that in Listen to This, but not nearly enough -- and it's especially noticeable when Ross is at his most obtuse. There is a companion website that I'm sure would help...but it's not practical given my preferred method of listening to audiobooks while driving, running, or biking. Ross is a good voice for his generation, though, and I'll likely continue to support his writing as long as he doesn't alienate me completely.. I hope his next book, like his previous, will look to appeal to a more general audience from start to finish. But as it is, there's something for everyone here. ( )