Listen to Elevator Music: A Surreal History of Muzak, Easy-Listening, and Other Moodsong; Revised and Expanded Edition by Joseph Lanza
Enjoy this audiobook with MP3 Audiobook Player - the ultimate iOS audiobook experience
It's campy, it's cool, empty, intrusive, trite, and treacly. It's Big Brother singing. Call it what you will -- elevator music, Moodsong ® easy listening, or Muzak ®. For a musical genre that was supposed to offend no one, it has a lot of enemies.Musical cognoscenti decry its insipid content; regular folk -- if they notice -- bemoan its pervasiveness; while hipsters and campsters celebrate its retro chic. Mindful of the many voices, Joseph Lanza's Elevator Music sings seriously, with tongue in cheek, the praises of this venerable American institution.Lanza addresses the criticisms of elites who say that Muzak and its ilk are dehumanized, vapid, or cheesy. These reactions, he argues, are based more on cultural prejudices than honest musical appraisal.Says Lanza, today's so-called mood music is the inheritor of a long tradition of mood-altering music stretching back to the ancients; Nero's fiddle and the sirens of Odysseus being two famous examples. Contemporary atmospheric music, Lanza argues, not only serves the same purpose, it is also the inevitable background for our media-dominated age.One of Lanza's premises, to quote Mark Twain, is that this music is "better than it sounds." "This book will have succeeded in its purpose," he writes, "if I can help efface...the distinction between one person's elevator music and another's prized recording."Joseph Lanza is an author, producer, and music historian. His most recent book is Russ Columbo and the Crooner Mystique.
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. 🏝️🎧 Packing for vacation just got better – this app is my getaway entertainment! 🌴📖 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing.
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true – no more hassles! ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find.
ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again – it's a must-have. Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream – simple and efficient. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient.
This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime – I'm truly grateful. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient. The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours.
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators – they add a unique charm to each book. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days. I can't get enough of this app – it's a true game-changer for book lovers. 📚 Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions – audiobooks make it a breeze! 👗🎧
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. 🏃♂️📚 Combining fitness and fiction – this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! 🏃♂️📖 Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available. With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it! The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Plays MP3, MP4, OPUS, OGG, FLAC, AWB, M4B, M4A, WMA, AAC formats
Optimized for iPhone, iPad, and iPod with seamless integration
Adjust playback speed from 0.5x to 3.0x for your listening preference
Import audiobooks via iTunes, cloud services, or direct downloads
Get your favorite audiobooks in supported formats from various sources
Import audiobooks to MP3 Audiobook Player using multiple methods
Control playback from your device, headphones, Apple Watch, or CarPlay
Join thousands of users who enjoy audiobooks with MP3 Audiobook Player daily
Download Now