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Listen to This If You Love Great Music: A critical curation of 100 essential albums
Listen To This If You Love Great Music is a must read for anyone with even a passing interest in music. Featuring 100 of the best albums from the last four decades, clashmusic editor Robin Murray shares his passion for exceptional music and offers insightful takes on what elevates these records above the competition.
Robin steers clear of the usual classics – The Beatles and The Clash, for example – and instead goes deep into his record collection to pull out the albums he considers the greatest ever. For each, a solid case is made for why it represents a watershed moment in music history, outlining the story behind the record and critiquing what constitutes a classic. Uniquely curated to offer a fresh perspective on the last 40-plus years of music, find politically charged rock brushing shoulders with dub-infused electronica, progressive pop and dreamy shoegaze shaken awake by ear-drum rattling grime and house music.
Whether it’s bass-heavy hip-hop from Nas that inspired a thousand MCs to pick up a mic or experimental indie dance from LCD Soundsystem that blurred genres and tempted musicians to trade in their guitars for synthesizers, this is an essential rundown of the albums that really matter. You need to play them loud.
Robin steers clear of the usual classics – The Beatles and The Clash, for example – and instead goes deep into his record collection to pull out the albums he considers the greatest ever. For each, a solid case is made for why it represents a watershed moment in music history, outlining the story behind the record and critiquing what constitutes a classic. Uniquely curated to offer a fresh perspective on the last 40-plus years of music, find politically charged rock brushing shoulders with dub-infused electronica, progressive pop and dreamy shoegaze shaken awake by ear-drum rattling grime and house music.
Whether it’s bass-heavy hip-hop from Nas that inspired a thousand MCs to pick up a mic or experimental indie dance from LCD Soundsystem that blurred genres and tempted musicians to trade in their guitars for synthesizers, this is an essential rundown of the albums that really matter. You need to play them loud.
- GenresMusicNonfiction
224 pages, Hardcover
Published April 6, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 6, 2021
Listen To This If You Love Great Music is an interesting read and a perfect coffee table book. The book features 100 albums from the last 40 years. Some you will remember fondly, some not so much and in my case some I had not even heard of. In each case the writer offers his insight into the album, offering a different perspective to maybe some of your favourite albums of all time.
I love reading on my kindle but this really is a case of when a book works better, full of pictures and more a book to flick through rather than reading in page order. Interesting to flick through but too varied for an in-depth read in my case. Personally I would have preferred the albums to be more mainstream and closer to my individual taste to get more out of the book. I would certainly pick this up while in a waiting room but not for a good solid read.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Ivy Press for supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love reading on my kindle but this really is a case of when a book works better, full of pictures and more a book to flick through rather than reading in page order. Interesting to flick through but too varied for an in-depth read in my case. Personally I would have preferred the albums to be more mainstream and closer to my individual taste to get more out of the book. I would certainly pick this up while in a waiting room but not for a good solid read.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Ivy Press for supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 28, 2021
Idiosyncratic, anglo-focused, but still really interesting selection of albums with a wide lens but also a clear focus on indie and rock the 80s, 80s, and Noughtys. The selections are organized by theme, and there were enough albums in here that I loved to make me really interested in the albums I'd never heard of. Might actually work better as an in depth podcast, but I read it with headphones in and spotify on, sampling as I went. Enjoyable.
**Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
**Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 14, 2021
I thought I loved great music but this was pretty ho-hum for me. I was hoping to discover some new artists but the ones recommended just didn't do much for me. It is definitely slanted towards punk, rap, R&B and some rock and pop. Johnny Cash is the only country artist and it's his last album where he covered songs like Hurt (I agree it's an awesome album). There are no folk albums featured, not even by greats like Jason Isbell. Other greats are left out like Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, the Violent Femmes, the Eagles, Stevie Nicks, Joe Cocker, Mary J. Blige, Willie Nelson, Simon and Garfunkle, Adele, U2, Tom Petty, the Beatles.... Kanye makes the cut but B.B. King doesn't. I like Lizzo, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and Blondie well enough, but I'm not sure I'd put them higher than many who were left out. The albums are mostly from the last 20 years, some going back to the 80's, but nothing before that. There was no great music in the 60's? Huh. There were so many barely known bands and singers that it could be argued that this was one of those compilations of great music most people don't know about, but then why include so many like Madonna, Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Eminem?
I dutifully pulled up youtube and played songs from over half of the albums listed, and I didn't really enjoy any of them that I didn't already know. Sorry, this just didn't do it for me.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
I dutifully pulled up youtube and played songs from over half of the albums listed, and I didn't really enjoy any of them that I didn't already know. Sorry, this just didn't do it for me.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
November 17, 2024
When i found this book upon the shelves of the library, i thought to myself: "oh?? someone that thinks they know their music?? Let me guess, it'll be another rock and roll album collection from bands that shaped the authors youth". But upon reading the introduction, the author promised that this wouldn't focus on the typical favourite albums. Intrigued, i decided to check it out, and it was such a good decision!
The book is organized into 10 categories: First time hits (debut albums that were an inmmediate sucess), Exceptional success (albums that, while brilliant, were the last or the only ones from that band/group), Little by little (albums from artist that took a bit of time to reach success), Reinventions (in which bands decided to change their sound or genre), Political scene (fighting against power and represion), Sexuality (albums that are all about love and desire), It's okay not to be okay (from artist whose mental health was not really the best at the time of release), Music to fall asleep to (albums that guide you towards a peaceful rest), Your Nightmare's soundrack (for chaotic and dark themes),Big releases (some artist say goodbye with a last album... here is a compilation of the best of them)
This organization itself made the book pretty interesting. I wont reveal which albums/artists are featured in each category (you'll have to read the book for that), but i can tell you that we have artist from a wide variety of genres in each chapter: hip hop, rap, indie, rock, blues, R&B, electronic, pop... which means that no matter your music taste, you are bound to discover an album you'll like in each chapter.
Now, every album has its own page, featuring: a description of how the album was created, what were the motivations and the historical/political context surrounding it, as well as the sounds it has and how they were achieved. The author goes on to comment on some of the songs in the album, and next to the text we see a picture of the band/artist. Furthermore, every page also has, in a little column to the side: three songs that you must absolutely listen from that album, recommendations on interviews/books/movies that have to do with the band or artist, as well as three other albums to listen to if you liked this one, each one from a different artist. And that's per album!! Per Page!!! I thought this was fantastical, specially the album recommendations- sometimes other albums by the same artist dont hit the same, and you need to find different artists that achieved a similar sound in their own creative process.
The way in which is the book is written makes you widen your musical horizons. It features artists everyone knows, such as Britney Spears, Nirvana, Madonna, Daft Punk and Eminem. But also, artists that you may have heard of but never took the time to listen to, such us Jeff Buckley or Slowdive. And you also have, of course, artists i hadn't heard about in my life, such as, Wild Beasts, Erykah Badu or Late of the Pier. So even if you think you know every big artist in your genre, i'm sure you will end up discovering some new music. At the same time, if you don't listen to a lot of music, do not be afraid, since as i said, there are some mainstream bands that everyone is bound to have listened to at some point.
It was fantastic to read along as i listened to the playlist (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05b...) , with the sound of each album playing in the background as i learned more about how the album was created and produced.
My only complaint is in regards to the edition: i read the spanish version of this, and there were some spelling mistakes in regards to album/song names, sometimes missing a letter, sometimes changing a word for another... I hope they fix it if there is a next edition, cause it's a great book.
I learned a lot from this book, and now i have a bunch of bands that i'm eager to know more about. I also finally dedicated some time to listen to bands i had been hearing about for ages. I would totally recommend this if you are a music fan!
The book is organized into 10 categories: First time hits (debut albums that were an inmmediate sucess), Exceptional success (albums that, while brilliant, were the last or the only ones from that band/group), Little by little (albums from artist that took a bit of time to reach success), Reinventions (in which bands decided to change their sound or genre), Political scene (fighting against power and represion), Sexuality (albums that are all about love and desire), It's okay not to be okay (from artist whose mental health was not really the best at the time of release), Music to fall asleep to (albums that guide you towards a peaceful rest), Your Nightmare's soundrack (for chaotic and dark themes),Big releases (some artist say goodbye with a last album... here is a compilation of the best of them)
This organization itself made the book pretty interesting. I wont reveal which albums/artists are featured in each category (you'll have to read the book for that), but i can tell you that we have artist from a wide variety of genres in each chapter: hip hop, rap, indie, rock, blues, R&B, electronic, pop... which means that no matter your music taste, you are bound to discover an album you'll like in each chapter.
Now, every album has its own page, featuring: a description of how the album was created, what were the motivations and the historical/political context surrounding it, as well as the sounds it has and how they were achieved. The author goes on to comment on some of the songs in the album, and next to the text we see a picture of the band/artist. Furthermore, every page also has, in a little column to the side: three songs that you must absolutely listen from that album, recommendations on interviews/books/movies that have to do with the band or artist, as well as three other albums to listen to if you liked this one, each one from a different artist. And that's per album!! Per Page!!! I thought this was fantastical, specially the album recommendations- sometimes other albums by the same artist dont hit the same, and you need to find different artists that achieved a similar sound in their own creative process.
The way in which is the book is written makes you widen your musical horizons. It features artists everyone knows, such as Britney Spears, Nirvana, Madonna, Daft Punk and Eminem. But also, artists that you may have heard of but never took the time to listen to, such us Jeff Buckley or Slowdive. And you also have, of course, artists i hadn't heard about in my life, such as, Wild Beasts, Erykah Badu or Late of the Pier. So even if you think you know every big artist in your genre, i'm sure you will end up discovering some new music. At the same time, if you don't listen to a lot of music, do not be afraid, since as i said, there are some mainstream bands that everyone is bound to have listened to at some point.
It was fantastic to read along as i listened to the playlist (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05b...) , with the sound of each album playing in the background as i learned more about how the album was created and produced.
My only complaint is in regards to the edition: i read the spanish version of this, and there were some spelling mistakes in regards to album/song names, sometimes missing a letter, sometimes changing a word for another... I hope they fix it if there is a next edition, cause it's a great book.
I learned a lot from this book, and now i have a bunch of bands that i'm eager to know more about. I also finally dedicated some time to listen to bands i had been hearing about for ages. I would totally recommend this if you are a music fan!
March 29, 2021
As a woman working in the music industry, for me this is everything that's wrong with it in book format. Some guy telling you he's going to wow you with some great records to listen to, that aren't at all predictable, and then giving you the most obvious list imaginable. It's almost formulaic in its construction - a few classics, a few curveballs, a few recent titles that likely won't age well but are zeitgeist-y, a few diversity picks, a few random genres (just don't push it out too far)....
Additionally, it's all delivered in a weird factual tone, completely lacking in any passion or enthusiasm for the music involved. I'd have given this more stars if the author actually demonstrated any kind of excitement for his subject matter, but instead it's all delivered in a po-faced epic mansplaining sermon.
I love great music. I don't love this book.
Additionally, it's all delivered in a weird factual tone, completely lacking in any passion or enthusiasm for the music involved. I'd have given this more stars if the author actually demonstrated any kind of excitement for his subject matter, but instead it's all delivered in a po-faced epic mansplaining sermon.
I love great music. I don't love this book.
February 23, 2021
One more entrant for the shelf set aside for those 'x amount of records you must love before you die' books, and one of the weaker ones possible, musically. Writing-wise, our journalist friend can guide us through his one-page introductions to his selection of albums, with the usual box-out of factoids, further watching, and three selections from other performers a lover of the album would like. But his taste so rarely collided with mine, even if he did get to start the whole shebang off with 'The Stone Roses'. You will never see more than a dozen of these discs on my shelves, and there are copious reasons why. Cassie? Songwriting-wise, I've known more dynamics in a pot of yoghurt. Plain yoghurt. Young Marble Giants? Ineptness Abounds, more like. Lizzo? Lizzo?????????
If you're coming here for appraisals of known indisputable classics (your "Graceland", your insert-favourite-here), you come in vain. If you're coming here for the records that are one person and one person alone's Desert Island Discs (Rob Dougan counts for me and no mistake), you come in vain. No, what you get is a look back over the last forty years at things that were trendy at one time. Many journalists could have flicked back through their archive and found their more noted, meaningful platters and told us they matter, and in being so broad as regards genres, and so notably smaller than similar books elsewhere, this instance of that happening did not exactly convince. Too much here will never be in the canon of must-owns. And including a set that's a compilation and not a studio album is a cheat.
If you're coming here for appraisals of known indisputable classics (your "Graceland", your insert-favourite-here), you come in vain. If you're coming here for the records that are one person and one person alone's Desert Island Discs (Rob Dougan counts for me and no mistake), you come in vain. No, what you get is a look back over the last forty years at things that were trendy at one time. Many journalists could have flicked back through their archive and found their more noted, meaningful platters and told us they matter, and in being so broad as regards genres, and so notably smaller than similar books elsewhere, this instance of that happening did not exactly convince. Too much here will never be in the canon of must-owns. And including a set that's a compilation and not a studio album is a cheat.
July 17, 2021
A decent collection of reviews that somewhat breaks away from the tradition of the "greatest albums of all time" template. It loses steam halfway through and the language becomes repetitive but, beyond that, a solid list of album recommendations for music fans!
February 23, 2021
Thank you to both #NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group/Ivy Press for providing me with an advance copy of music journalist Robin Murray’s nonfiction work, Listen to This If You Love Great Music, in exchange for an honest review.
#ListentoThisIfYouLoveGreatMusic is an interesting curation of 100 albums, which the author believes are essential to shaping music history. The author pulls from a combination of his personal record collection and his expertise as a music journalist turned editor.
The work is appropriately shelved in the Arts & Photography section. The reader will quickly understand why the moment they open the first chapter. Each chapter contains a glossy photo depicting the band or artist who created the album being discussed. The chapters are divided into ten separate sections in accordance with a premise; namely, the reasons the author intermixed certain albums.
The remainder of the page dedicated to each album is displayed like an infographic. The infographic provides information on the history of the album and its creator; recommendations for the best tracks to play, live concert footage to watch, articles to read; and lists three similar sounding artists to listen to if the reader enjoys the music of the artist being featured.
While music junkies will love learning the interesting tidbits about each artist (assuming they do not already know them yet), I felt the piece was lacking in supporting evidence and was heavily subjective. This is purely an opinion work that caters to the author’s own biases. Even though it is clear the author carefully selected each album and thought about why they might belong with the others in each chapter, any music lover could just as easily debunk his theory.
The book blurb claims that the author “steers clear of the usual classics,” but that simply is not true. Many of the artists featured are well-known and obvious candidates. It would have made for a more intriguing read if the author had chosen artists/albums that were not so mainstream. Perhaps, the author wanted to appeal to broader audiences than melomaniacs, but at the very least, he should have provided a stronger premise along with an explanation in each of the chapters. Otherwise, it really is just an Arts & Photography book.
In sum, three stars for the visually appealing format and alternate artist recommendations.
#ListentoThisIfYouLoveGreatMusic is an interesting curation of 100 albums, which the author believes are essential to shaping music history. The author pulls from a combination of his personal record collection and his expertise as a music journalist turned editor.
The work is appropriately shelved in the Arts & Photography section. The reader will quickly understand why the moment they open the first chapter. Each chapter contains a glossy photo depicting the band or artist who created the album being discussed. The chapters are divided into ten separate sections in accordance with a premise; namely, the reasons the author intermixed certain albums.
The remainder of the page dedicated to each album is displayed like an infographic. The infographic provides information on the history of the album and its creator; recommendations for the best tracks to play, live concert footage to watch, articles to read; and lists three similar sounding artists to listen to if the reader enjoys the music of the artist being featured.
While music junkies will love learning the interesting tidbits about each artist (assuming they do not already know them yet), I felt the piece was lacking in supporting evidence and was heavily subjective. This is purely an opinion work that caters to the author’s own biases. Even though it is clear the author carefully selected each album and thought about why they might belong with the others in each chapter, any music lover could just as easily debunk his theory.
The book blurb claims that the author “steers clear of the usual classics,” but that simply is not true. Many of the artists featured are well-known and obvious candidates. It would have made for a more intriguing read if the author had chosen artists/albums that were not so mainstream. Perhaps, the author wanted to appeal to broader audiences than melomaniacs, but at the very least, he should have provided a stronger premise along with an explanation in each of the chapters. Otherwise, it really is just an Arts & Photography book.
In sum, three stars for the visually appealing format and alternate artist recommendations.
October 20, 2024
I'm definitely being a bit meaner to this one than I should. The pros: it looks beautiful (though why do only half the entries include a photo of the album cover, with the other half showing stock photos of the artist?), I do love a lot of the choices here and to Murray's credit there are definitely some unconventional picks that I endlessly respect his inclusion of (Spiderland? Kala? Boards of Canada? Niceeeeeeee), and the man can undeniably write.
I don't really hate this one so much as I just utterly lost interest with it about halfway through. The trouble with this sort of book, of course, is that nobody is gonna be pleased with the albums chosen by the end, but I wish the list had a little more character? It's better than a lot of authors would've gone with, but a good chunk of this list feels very NPR-core vanilla alternative picks, especially on the world music front (the Songhoy Blues album being the most egregious – the thing was nominated for a Q award, for chrissakes. Could you be any more safe?) Very varied, for sure, but I almost would have preferred if the author had said 'fuck it' and REALLY leant into his personal taste for the selection, because that to me is more interesting as opposed to the approach that he went with in the end. I can tell that he's a rock fan at heart – he's clearly most passionate when he's writing about classic British albums in particular. Why not lean hard into that? And also, what happened to 'steering clear' of the classics like he promised? He keeps everything post-the punk era, which is fine, but why are you including stuff like Radiohead and Public Enemy? Would've been so so so much more interesting if he had stuck to a more unified approach.
The writing is also pretty dry here – feels veeeeeeery like classic journalist review material, which makes it lack in flavour. Fuck that. I wanna hear what you actually think of these albums. It's okay to say that maybe you don't enjoy every track on a Lizzo album. Really. It's fine. Instead this kinda felt like a slog to get through by halfway through.
I don't really hate this one so much as I just utterly lost interest with it about halfway through. The trouble with this sort of book, of course, is that nobody is gonna be pleased with the albums chosen by the end, but I wish the list had a little more character? It's better than a lot of authors would've gone with, but a good chunk of this list feels very NPR-core vanilla alternative picks, especially on the world music front (the Songhoy Blues album being the most egregious – the thing was nominated for a Q award, for chrissakes. Could you be any more safe?) Very varied, for sure, but I almost would have preferred if the author had said 'fuck it' and REALLY leant into his personal taste for the selection, because that to me is more interesting as opposed to the approach that he went with in the end. I can tell that he's a rock fan at heart – he's clearly most passionate when he's writing about classic British albums in particular. Why not lean hard into that? And also, what happened to 'steering clear' of the classics like he promised? He keeps everything post-the punk era, which is fine, but why are you including stuff like Radiohead and Public Enemy? Would've been so so so much more interesting if he had stuck to a more unified approach.
The writing is also pretty dry here – feels veeeeeeery like classic journalist review material, which makes it lack in flavour. Fuck that. I wanna hear what you actually think of these albums. It's okay to say that maybe you don't enjoy every track on a Lizzo album. Really. It's fine. Instead this kinda felt like a slog to get through by halfway through.
March 22, 2021
Listen to This If You Love Great Music by Robin Murray is largely what you expect in a book of this sort. You probably already know whether you'll enjoy it or not by how much you enjoy other such books (or articles, or blog posts, etc). I will say that this is a nice selection from the past 40 years or so.
Are these the 100 albums I would have chosen? No, not by a long stretch. Which is part of why I enjoyed this book. The albums don't have to be new to me, I think only two were, but I like to read about why someone believes a particular album is essential or important. If you only want a list you agree with then you don't want to learn anything, you want validation for your tastes. Too bad, so sad.
I found some of the additional suggestions more interesting than the ones highlighted, which again makes the book worthwhile. Everyone seems to want to tout their age or "obsessive" nature, so what the heck. I am a bit older than the likely target reader (62 y/o), I have been collecting albums since 1963 even though I didn't use my own allowance to buy my first album until 1965. Even losing over 1500 albums in Katrina I still have over 4000 albums, about 100 78s, and about 2000 45s. I don't think that is obsessive, I just love music, but some people apparently need to give themselves some kind of title. Oh well, whatever makes them feel better about themselves.
I would recommend this to people who love music, or people who love to whine because a list isn't what they would have made (or they just like to sound oh so smart). Like any list it can serve to introduce new music and/or new perspectives on known music. It is also ideal for bringing out when you're with your other music-loving friends, or if you're unfortunate to know a "music obsessive" I guess them too, though they sound like real, well, never mind.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
Are these the 100 albums I would have chosen? No, not by a long stretch. Which is part of why I enjoyed this book. The albums don't have to be new to me, I think only two were, but I like to read about why someone believes a particular album is essential or important. If you only want a list you agree with then you don't want to learn anything, you want validation for your tastes. Too bad, so sad.
I found some of the additional suggestions more interesting than the ones highlighted, which again makes the book worthwhile. Everyone seems to want to tout their age or "obsessive" nature, so what the heck. I am a bit older than the likely target reader (62 y/o), I have been collecting albums since 1963 even though I didn't use my own allowance to buy my first album until 1965. Even losing over 1500 albums in Katrina I still have over 4000 albums, about 100 78s, and about 2000 45s. I don't think that is obsessive, I just love music, but some people apparently need to give themselves some kind of title. Oh well, whatever makes them feel better about themselves.
I would recommend this to people who love music, or people who love to whine because a list isn't what they would have made (or they just like to sound oh so smart). Like any list it can serve to introduce new music and/or new perspectives on known music. It is also ideal for bringing out when you're with your other music-loving friends, or if you're unfortunate to know a "music obsessive" I guess them too, though they sound like real, well, never mind.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
March 22, 2021
I waffled between three and four on this one and settled on 3.5. Goodreads doesn't allow half stars so I'm rounding down.
This is a coffee table style book presenting 100 albums from from the past four decades that the author believes to have been significantly influential. The inherent problem in books like this will always be the intensity of personal taste when it comes to music, which means that none of them will ever hit the mark 100% for everyone. That being said, this is a good "beginners" selection of some momentous albums in the decades since the 80s, from Prince to Arcade Fire, Beastie Boys to MIA.
Having stated the above disclaimer, of course the main issue I had with this selection was that there wasn't much new for me to glean from it as someone with more than an amateur knowledge of the topic. While the blurb stated that Robin Murray chose to stay away from the traditional "best album of all time" heavy hitters like the Beatles and Clash, the list is still fairly safe insofar as many of the albums and bands will be instantly recognizable to fans of the album as a format. Radiohead's Kid A is on almost every best album of all time list I've ever seen, and despite claiming to stay away from bands like the Clash, there's literally a Clash album included in here. Granted, it's Sandinista, but still!
But hey, Kraftwerk's on here and the author spends a decent amount of time referencing the influence Krautrock's had on modern music so I can't complain too much. Also, the "listen to these if you like this" blurbs for each album is a great way to find some newer, maybe lesser known artists.
**I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Quarto Publishing Group – Ivy Press.**
This is a coffee table style book presenting 100 albums from from the past four decades that the author believes to have been significantly influential. The inherent problem in books like this will always be the intensity of personal taste when it comes to music, which means that none of them will ever hit the mark 100% for everyone. That being said, this is a good "beginners" selection of some momentous albums in the decades since the 80s, from Prince to Arcade Fire, Beastie Boys to MIA.
Having stated the above disclaimer, of course the main issue I had with this selection was that there wasn't much new for me to glean from it as someone with more than an amateur knowledge of the topic. While the blurb stated that Robin Murray chose to stay away from the traditional "best album of all time" heavy hitters like the Beatles and Clash, the list is still fairly safe insofar as many of the albums and bands will be instantly recognizable to fans of the album as a format. Radiohead's Kid A is on almost every best album of all time list I've ever seen, and despite claiming to stay away from bands like the Clash, there's literally a Clash album included in here. Granted, it's Sandinista, but still!
But hey, Kraftwerk's on here and the author spends a decent amount of time referencing the influence Krautrock's had on modern music so I can't complain too much. Also, the "listen to these if you like this" blurbs for each album is a great way to find some newer, maybe lesser known artists.
**I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Quarto Publishing Group – Ivy Press.**
March 20, 2021
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Listen to This If You Love Great Music is an interesting and accessible examination of 100 iconic albums presented and curated by Robin Murray. Due out 6th April 2021 from Quarto on their Ivy Press imprint, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
I've reviewed a couple other books with the same format from this publisher (great art and great photography). This one does follow the same general layout: artists, album name, the date, and a description and commentary. Additionally, each of the entries contains further resources for a deeper look at allied artists' works, and further links to explore for similar relevant photographs or videos.
I'm not sure if music is just -so- much more polarizing or if I have weird taste in music (or both, probably both), but very very few of these really added anything to the conversation for me personally. I think for many readers who are more enamored of the new/alternative/post-punk landscape, this book will have a lot more relevance.
It's well written, thoughtful, and well defended by the author, who is quite clearly expert in his field. Three stars for me (who, when the phrase "great music" is uttered assumes the discussion will cover music written by composers dead for a few centuries), likely four+ for the intended audience.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Listen to This If You Love Great Music is an interesting and accessible examination of 100 iconic albums presented and curated by Robin Murray. Due out 6th April 2021 from Quarto on their Ivy Press imprint, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
I've reviewed a couple other books with the same format from this publisher (great art and great photography). This one does follow the same general layout: artists, album name, the date, and a description and commentary. Additionally, each of the entries contains further resources for a deeper look at allied artists' works, and further links to explore for similar relevant photographs or videos.
I'm not sure if music is just -so- much more polarizing or if I have weird taste in music (or both, probably both), but very very few of these really added anything to the conversation for me personally. I think for many readers who are more enamored of the new/alternative/post-punk landscape, this book will have a lot more relevance.
It's well written, thoughtful, and well defended by the author, who is quite clearly expert in his field. Three stars for me (who, when the phrase "great music" is uttered assumes the discussion will cover music written by composers dead for a few centuries), likely four+ for the intended audience.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
March 8, 2021
Robin Murray is the editor of clashmusic.com, and in this book he shares his opinions about the best 100 albums from the last four decades. This is a very UK heavy list, but there are some entries from the US and a few from other countries. The majority of the albums listed are not that well-known, so there were quite a few that were from artists that I have never heard of. But of course that’s the point of this book, to get you to expand your music library. I will admit to having a few objections to some of the entries, most notably the strong implication that The Stone Roses were the band that put Manchester on the map (I think Joy Division, New Order, the Smiths, Factory Records, and The Hacienda might have something to say about that). But again this is one man’s opinion, so you have to take all this with a grain of salt. And I did get a few ideas for new bands to check out. Overall this was an entertaining read, and I’d recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Ivy Press for this advanced reader copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Ivy Press for this advanced reader copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
February 24, 2021
Very interesting concept, from punk era onwards the author selected 100 tracks and explains why. Explore the genre, band, lyrics and see links to similar music. This was my era and found quite a few bands I never heard of but will go back through book and play the music. Thank you #netgalley
March 21, 2024
A verbose (sometimes bewilderingly so) but truth-skewering and honest appraisal of the author’s own fave long players. Some obvious, some new. But written with verve and passion. And that’s all we ask, eh?
arcs
February 22, 2021Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto for providing an ARC!
January 17, 2022
Such books might seem outmoded now but there were some nice selections in this one.
June 5, 2024
Disappointing for me. I wouldn't agree on the top 100 albums, but that's just a matter of preference. What was disappointing was the information on the albums, I've read about most of it before.
December 24, 2024
Especially useful if you're stuck on what to listen to next, has everything from pop to experimental albums.
August 27, 2025
I love the format of this book. Same with others in this series. (Look at this If you love great Photography/Look at this if you love great Art)
March 16, 2021
An interesting addition to the music recommendation books, with the twist that all the music comes from 1980 onward. Although as usual, music is a personal thing and I'm not sure I would agree with some of the author's selections as "must listens". On the other hand, it's a fun read with great pictures, and I really appreciated the time frame of his choices, since that was the time I really started finding new music on my own. This book is definitely not the definitive best of list, but it's a good place to start finding some great music. (Bonus points for the "Like this? Try these!" section included for each entry... I found some good albums I'd missed in there.)
Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Ivy Press for the opportunity to read Listen to This If You Love Great Music in return for my honest opinions.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Ivy Press for the opportunity to read Listen to This If You Love Great Music in return for my honest opinions.
February 27, 2021
Really fun to read along with your music streamer of choice. I followed along and listened to each of the three suggested tracks which accompanied each selected album. The book skews UK and is most-impressed by future-facing dub-soaked electronica and groundbreaking, genre-blurring sonic elements. I made many new-to-me discoveries and rediscoveries (William Onyeabor, The La’s, Oasis, Nina Simone), and found myself emboldened to listen more openly to genres out of my comfort zone (DJ Shadow, Radiohead, A Tribe Called Quest.) Hey, those Doobie Brothers albums will still be there when I get back. 😂
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