Carl Wilson (1)

Not only the best book of the 33 1/3 series, but, in my opinion, the best book of musical criticism ever written, which is high praise, indeed.

Let's Talk About Love, as an album, is only ostensibly the subject of this excellent long essay about the exclusive nature of musical taste, and the fact that unlike with nearly every other form of criticism, musical communities and their insularity are defined more by the music they dislike than by the music they do.

And this leads to a discussion of what exactly it is about Dion's music that sets so many teeth on edge, as well as why it so appeals to an opposite group of people.

It is just a really fantastic book that I had to put down to process every so often, and still, often, when I am contemplating or writing about my reaction to art, the internalized voice of Wilson suggests that I make sure my reactions are considered carefully.

Not at all what I expected, but better than I ever could have hoped.… (more)