THE GRAMMAR OF ROCK: Art and Artlessness in 20th Century Pop Lyrics
Language: English
Published by Fantagraphics Books, Seattle WA, 2013
- First Edition
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: Remarks Used Books, Pittsfield, MA, U.S.A.Remarks Used Books
AbeBooks seller since March 30, 2012
Condition: Used - As new
£ 40.65
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Add to basketItem description from seller
First Fantagraphics Books printing: February, 2013. 345pp. Bright, clean & tight copy, unread, in AS NEW condition. "Alexander Theroux outdoes himself in one of his most penetrating and original books as he treats us to an incisive and never-before-seen appraisal of the lyrics and language of music: pop, rock, jazz, folk songs blues, show tunes and the staples and standards of the American songbook. Here is a penetrating evaluation not only of songs old, odd, historical, and contemporary, but an incredible catholic, satirical, and fiercely witty, always even-handed consideration of composers, singers, their styles and vocal approaches, a study of the good and the bad. He examines it all. Overwriting. Incompetent styles in singing. The inarticulate Sixties. Rap. As he ponders the deep lyric tradition, illogic is the dragon he seeks to slay. [] But it is a cognitive tour, as well. Focusing on the art of song--the power of words and the nature of syntax--Theroux takes us along autobiographical routes to remark on how we hear, the nature of diction, what voices can do and how protean they are, the cliches we encounter in songwriting, presenting all with his usual encyclopedic insights into the state of the lyric, reinforcing the truism that W. H. Auden [who] pointed out--'The problem we have with our vocabulary reflects the problem we have with our lives.' He deconstructs violence in the texts, the discourse, of language as well as its assaults on our listening impulse in a way that no one else has ever done. [] THE GRAMMAR OF ROCK. . . is a potpourri of strong opinions and savvy insights, a salvo at silly song titles, maddening instrumentals, shrieking divas, musicians' quirks, clunker lines, vain celebrities and their unmusical crullers, movie stars who should never have raised their voice in song but who were too shameless to refuse a mike, and the excesses of awful Christmas recordings. [] THE GRAMMAR OF ROCK is a clarion call--never without humor--against the corrupting, ruthlessly ruinous gap between thought and language as well as a poignant and glorious reminder of how music and its force imprints itself on us and so effects our lives." [partial jacket copy] "Alexander Theroux. . . is one of America's premier frotteurs, to use a French term the impeccable James Salter applies to someone who 'rubs words in his hand.'"--David Bowman, New York Times. "I can't recall any read of late that caused so much laughter. The book is artful, vicious, erudite, argumentative, and full of omissions, but a must read for anyone interested in music, lyrics, and language."--DLW. Pristine hardcover w/brilliant corners & crisp edges, a square & tight binding, wrapped in a bright-as-new jacket with R. Crumb's illustration. A typically top-notch Fantagraphics production, quite presentable.…
Seller Inventory # RUB3787
- Title
- THE GRAMMAR OF ROCK: Art and Artlessness in 20th Century Pop Lyrics
- Author
- Alexander Theroux
- Publisher
- Fantagraphics Books, Seattle WA
- Publication year
- 2013
- Condition
- As new
- Dust jacket
- As New
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 1606996169
- ISBN 13
- 9781606996164
- Illustrator
- R. Crumb
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Printing
- 1st Printing
- Item weight
- 23.351 ounces
- Dimensions
- 6 inches width by 9 inches height by 1 inch depth
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About the Author
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Remarks Used Books
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