Exotica: Fabricated Soundscapes in a Real World

by David Toop

Exotica takes a look at the music and people behind some of the world's most witty, experimental and adventurous sound recordings. Since the invention of the microphone, people have experimented with sound, putting everything from thunderstorms and dolphin sounds, medical operations, native jungle drums and junkyard trash down on vinyl. Notions of the exotic have inspired popular music and musicians in all fields from classical, through easy listening to rap - from Stravinsky to the Boo-Yah T.R.I.B.E

Genres: Music, Canon, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 1998

About the author

David Toop is a musician, writer, and Professor of Audio Culture and Improvisation at the London College of Communication, University of the Arts London. He is the author of Ocean of Sound, Sinister Resonance, Into the Maelstrom, and other books.

Reviews

[Tosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are three different levels of listening to 'Exotica' music. They are:

1) Use the music for one's love of fake exoctia surroundings including the music

2) See Martin Denny and others as serious composers in the 20th Century.

3) or a combination of both


Actually I think I will choose number 2. But 1 & 3 works as well. And so does David Toop's excellent study on Exotica music. He interivews everyone from Ryuchi Sakamoto to Martin Denny to talk about the music. He doesn't rule out the joy of exotica but takes it on its many levels. And did you know David Crosby has firm roots in exotica? He does!!!!!

[Audun Forgard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its really a long while since I read this most excellent book. Exotica delves into the world of found sound, installations, musique concrete, repetetive experimental compositions ambient and dub and waxes really poetical about how all these outlying strands of the musical universe came to have such a huge influence of the top pop music of today.
Its not an academic dry book, although Toop well know of what he speaks , it goes more into the soul of sound and you'd be well advised to enjoy this while listening to the cd compilations he released around the same time, as they dive not many of the artists and compositions visited in this book as well its "companion" book- Ocean of Sound

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot about many things I knew only a little about before. I actually enjoyed this more than Ocean of Sound, if only because it dealt with genres and movements I had a bit less familiarity with. Not sure about the fiction, however.

[Joshua Line · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exotica remains a highly problematic 'genre' of music, which Toop successfully critiques, while navigating the difficulties of enjoying much of the product made within this world. More work to be done. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... is also worth reading.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A shortwave radio of a book.