Exotica

David Toop's 1999 book examines the musical genre of exotica and its cultural impact through both academic analysis and personal narrative. The text incorporates interviews with notable musicians including Burt Bacharach and Bill Laswell, while exploring the author's own relationship with music during periods of personal loss. The book traces exotica's evolution from its mid-century origins through various musical movements and cultural shifts. Toop connects this musical style to broader themes of escapism, cultural appropriation, and the human desire to experience "the exotic" through artistic expression. Beyond genre analysis, the work presents a broader meditation on how music intersects with memory, grief, and cultural identity. Through this lens, the book transcends standard music criticism to examine deeper questions about art's role in processing human experience.

Readers appreciate Toop's deep knowledge and research but note the book can be dense and academic. Many reviews mention the book serves as a reference guide for discovering new artists and genres in experimental/avant-garde music. Likes: - Detailed historical context for experimental music scenes - Connections drawn between different musical movements - Extensive discography and recommendations - Personal anecdotes from Toop's experiences Dislikes: - Writing style can be meandering and hard to follow - Too much focus on obscure artists - Lack of clear organization - Some readers found it pretentious Ratings: Goodreads: 4.13/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (11 reviews) Sample review: "A fascinating but sometimes frustrating book. Toop's knowledge is encyclopedic but his prose can be impenetrable. Worth reading for the musical discoveries alone." - Goodreads reviewer

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Retromania: Pop Culture's Addiction to Its Own Past by Simon Reynolds Examines music culture's relationship with nostalgia and the past through analysis of revival movements and reissue culture.

How Music Works by David Byrne Explores music creation and consumption through personal experience and systematic analysis of cultural, economic, and technological factors.

🎵 Exotica music peaked in popularity during the 1950s, coinciding with Hawaii becoming the 50th U.S. state and a surge in Polynesian-themed entertainment. 🎼 David Toop is not only an author but also a musician and sound curator who has collaborated with Brian Eno, Prince Far I, and Max Eastley. 🌺 Les Baxter, one of the pioneers of exotica music discussed in the book, never actually visited the tropical locations that inspired his music. 🎹 Burt Bacharach, interviewed for the book, began his career arranging for Marlene Dietrich before becoming one of the most successful composers of the 1960s. 🌴 The genre's signature sound often incorporated bird calls, jungle noises, and tribal drums - most of which were artificially created in recording studios.