Every Song Ever

I love the idea of this book: To expand the reader's musical horizons and deepen their understanding by grouping music pieces not by genres or time periods, but by cross-cutting and tantalizingly amorphous qualities and attributes, such as slowness, quietness, intimacy, virtuosity, sadness, etc.

I also love the diversity of styles among the pieces that the author highlights (each chapter ends with a specific list of music tracks, ranging from Duke Ellington to Drake, most of which are nowadays accessible via subscription services like Apple Music, Spotify, or, in my case, Tidal). The book helped me discover new musicians by encouraging exploration with a music player: you'll want to carve out 2-3 hours, put on your best headphones, and read a chapter while clicking around on the computer. It's a wonderful rabbit-hole to descend into.

Unfortunately, with some exceptions, the bulk of the narrative is too brisk with the factual material on one hand (I wish the author, who is clearly a walking encyclopedia of music, would dwell on some of the concrete topics or would dig more into history) and, on the other hand, too heavy on the abstract, the music-theoretical, and the know-it-all attitude. So, sadly, I gave up after several chapters. The frustrations of reading overpowered the joys of discovery. To give an example passage, which I kinda get, with lots of re-reading, but don't get much out of:

“If you understand music as free enterprise, which is how most people in America have understood it since the decline of the piano in the living room—the mid-1970's, pretty much—then the spectrum of quietness, intimacy, and silence in music might seem a form of selfishness or self-sabotage. It is not wanting to be heard, or only wanting to be heard on your own terms. But if you listen another way, the quiet impulse might be a populist idea. It might reach more people. It is an expression of civility. It is not trying to interrupt or drown out anything else. It allows for the rest of life to be heard. And it connects to a much greater pool of history and human expression.”

If that kind of writing is music to your ears (ha!), you will love “Every Song Ever”. Otherwise, proceed with caution, maybe see if your library has this title.