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.
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. 📚 Turning my phone into a portal of stories – this app's ease of use is remarkable! 📱💫
ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook! This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
I've never been this excited about my daily commute – thank you, audiobooks! This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve found. The interface is clean and easy to use. The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple.
Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. 🏃♀️🎧 Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature! I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is top-notch. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playback—it's all up to me! ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature!
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