Zaireeka is the anti-headphone and the anti-mp3. It purposely makes the two biggest developments in end-user music in the last 30 years irrelevant. Zaireeka is not mobile. It is not personal. It is not solitary; cannot be easily controlled; and cant easily be consumed in small doses. So another way to think of Zaireeka is as a one-off piece of technology that comes in a highly inconvenient dead-end format. The Flaming Lips 1997 album Zaireeka is one of the most peculiar albums ever recorded; consisting of four CDs meant to be played simultaneously on four CD players. Approaching this powerful and complex art-rock masterpiece from multiple angles; Mark Richardsons prismatic study of Zaireeka mirrors the structure the work itself. Thoughts on communal listening and the "death of the album" are interspersed with the story of the Zaireekas creation (with assistance from Wayne Coyne) and an in-depth analysis of the music; leading to a complete picture of a record that proved to be a watershed for both the band and adventurous music fans alike.
#820469 in eBooks 2010-10-05 2010-10-05File Name: B003TFE5UO
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. AN EXTENSION OF COLLINS EARLIER "MOST-LOVED SONGS" BOOKSBy Steven H ProppThis book actually has some overlap with the material in Ace Collins earlier books. Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas (Stories Behind Books)) and More Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas; he has also written Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas (Stories Behind Books). Stories Behind the Traditions and Songs of Easter. etc.In this 2010 book. Collins focuses on the "Greatest Hits" rather than "Most-Loved"; thus. it is more focused on popular culture. the record charts. etc. He states in the Introduction. "thirty-four all-time great Christmas songs are arranged in almost chronological order according to when they hit the charts... The musical numbers in this book are the ones that made the greatest impact by touching hearts and minds in a special way... these are the holiday hits. and the stories behind them!"He notes about Jingle Bells that "the song was not even written about the Christmas season... theres not a single reference to Christmas---not a mention of Santa. Jesus. gifts. trees. or carols... this ditty actually examines the dating rituals of teenagers during the cold Northeastern winters in the nineteenth century..." (Pg. 19) He adds that the composer. James S. Pierpont was a young man who "was asked by his father [a Unitarian pastor] to create a song for a special thanksgiving service at the church... Suffering from writers block. James ... saw young men sledding on a snow-covered hill... he recalled racing horse-drawn sleds against other boys when he was a teen... The fully harmonized and whimsical song made its debut at the annual Thanksgiving service... scores of members... asked if the choir could sing it again. The elder Pierpont... [had it performed] during the services on Christmas weekend. That performance changed the nature. look. and feel of an American Christmas." (Pg. 22)He observes. "Many of todays most popular Christmas classics [e.g.. "Ill Be Home for Christmas"] were introduced during World War II and in the years following. Music... seemed to bring the nation real hope during the insecure days of war. Music was a uniting force. The songs that were introduced during this time seemed to push deep into listeners hearts and linger longer than songs released during times of peace." (Pg. 65)He suggests. "Today. Jingle Bell Rock is often hailed as the first rock-and-roll Christmas classic. Not only is it the first holiday song to contain the word rock in its lyrics. but also the tune made its chart debut at the same time Elvis Presley was lighting up the airwaves with the rocker Blue Christmas." (Pg. 132-133) He states. "the Chipmunks... were the first rock-and-roll group created by a producer and marketed on TV via a sitcom. The next act to follow them would be the Monkees some four years later. and this formula has since been used countless times by Disney and others." (Pg. 144)All of Collins books in this series are engagingly written. highly informative. and strongly recommended!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great fireside read.By Greg NeuserThe book is really interesting. Great quality and well written.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. INSPIRINGBy Francisco EnriquezIve been singing Christmas songs since I was a child because I love the Christmas season. I had always wanted to know the stories behind those songs that have blessed the hearts of many for the past decades. When I saw the book about the Stories Behind The Greatest Hits of Christmas. I was so glad. I will not hesitate to recommend this book to narrators. Preachers.Sunday School Teachers and friends. That is the reason why I give this book a 5 stars God bless you Ace.
