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Ocupaciones: music critic
Organizaciones: The Wall Street Journal

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Crime Plus Music: Twenty Stories of Music-Themed Noir por Jim Fusilli

The biggest reason for me to reading this collection of short stories was that a story by Craig Johnson was included. Unfortunately, it was a story I had already read and not a favorite short story of mine. But, re-reading made me like it better this time. Many of the names in this book were unknown to me, besides Craig Johnson have I previous read books by Alison Gaylin, Val McDermid, and Peter Robinson. So, I was curious to see which stories would work for me. And, I'm really pleased to say that most of the stories in this book were good. Only one or two did not completely work for me, the rest was enjoyable to read.

The big drawback, for me, was so many of the stories was interesting, but I would have loved to read them as full-length novels instead. So many of them had potentials, but often I felt that because of the length did they not really have time to develop the story and its characters. However, what I really liked was that this collection has me a chance to discover several new authors that I want to read more from.

I want to mention some of my favorite stories in this collection. For instance, Played by Death by Bill Fitzhugh is one that I would love to see as a full-length book. A serial killer that stages the victim's death to evoke the title of a classic rock song. That's just awesome! Earworms by Zoe Sharp is also pretty cool. Torture through music, with a twist. Another one is The Last Temptation of Frankie Lymon by Peter Blaunder. This one does not really feel like a crime novella, but it's good. The kind of story when, despite being so short you start to care for the character and its characters. Finally The Blackbird by Peter Robinson. That story just grabbed my attention, so tragic, so good!

I want to thank Three Rooms Press for providing me with a free copy through Edelweiss for an honest review!… (más)

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MaraBlaise | 2 reseñas más. | Jul 23, 2022 |

The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds (33 1/3) por Jim Fusilli

Another enjoyable entry in the 33 1/3 series. Pet Sounds has always been one of those albums I wished I'd liked more. Oh, there's definitely standout tracks, such as Wouldn't It Be Nice, Sloop John B and God Only Knows, but overall, I've never found the album particularly compelling.

Yet, this account of The Beach Boys in general, and Brian Wilson in particular, as they led up to the making of their seminal album, where Brian's head was at at the time, some of the influences, helps me to appreciate it more.

It'll never be a top ten listen for me, but this account did definitely make me look at it in a different light.

Well done.… (más)

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TobinElliott | 6 reseñas más. | Sep 3, 2021 |

Pet sounds por Jim Fusilli

If you are an ardent fan of "Pet Sounds", I suspect it is the same for you. What a remarkable thing it is to know that there's someone out there who understands how you feel and feels the same way—and who not only feels as you do, but can articulate your feelings better than you can.

This is a very loving tome on the creation process of "Pet Sounds", which is by many not hailed as The Beach Boys' masterpiece, but one of the best albums of the 1960s, and by others as the best pop album ever made.

It also delves into the sanities and insanities regarding Brian Wilson, the "Pet Sounds" mastermind and main creator.

The music is a world in itself, and this book complements it well. The author has taken in how lonely and worthless Brian Wilson felt, before, during and slightly after having finished the album. His manager father, his fears, his marriage, the competition from The Beatles...

To end - a few lines from the book on the song "God Only Knows":

The song opens with the line "I may not always love you."

Forget for a moment the audacity of beginning a love song with that phrase. Consider what it means when hitched to what follows:

I may not always love you,
But long as there are stars above you,
You'll never need to doubt it.
I'll make you so sure about it.

We see two people here, together, at this moment and what they have is profound, and as long as the universe exists, whether or not they remain together, she will know the depth and strength of his love.

Why? Because he needs her.

The next line: "God only knows what I'd be without you." If I don't have you, he's saying, and that profound love, I cannot fathom what I would be. This sentiment is confirmed, and expanded, in the next verse:

If you should ever leave me,
Though life would still go on, believe me,
The world could show nothing to me,
So what good would living do me?

Without her, he has no reason to live.

"God Only Knows" is, at the same time, a mature proclamation of love and another desperate plea. And it's a distillation of what much of "Pet Sounds" is about: the sense that if we surrender to an all-consuming love, we will never be able to live without it. And, though we're uncertain that the reward is worth the risk, we yearn to surrender.

The love Brian envisioned was worth more than life.

In 1964, while the Beach Boys were on tour, Brian wrote to Marilyn [his wife, Niklas' edit] each and every day. He ended one lovely letter with this phrase: "Yours 'til God wants us apart."

… (más)

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pivic | 6 reseñas más. | Mar 20, 2020 |

The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds (33 1/3) por Jim Fusilli

A very good analysis from several perspectives: musicology, lyrics, emotional content, biography. Really enhances listening to the album, which is what good criticism does.

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dasam | 6 reseñas más. | Jun 21, 2018 |

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