Review by Library Journal Review
"Music is a perfect storm for the mind: beautiful in form, intricate, and eternally new." Marcus (psychology, New York Univ.; director, NYU Infant Language Learning Center) expands upon the research presented in his previous book, Kluge, by using music as an example of the modern brain as a haphazard, cobbled-together construction that has evolved to do more. No one part of the brain is solely responsible for creating or processing music; rather all parts, even the most primitive, reconfigure to make and respond to constructed sound. Tying in his experiences with language, development, and adult learning, he is encouraging in his belief that adults can learn music in all of its complexity. Marcus debunks dated ideas-that there are critical periods for learning or that there's no such thing as inherent talent-and introduces new research on human reward systems and personality theory. Ultimately, he believes the creation and appreciation of music helps everyone realize their full potential. Verdict A pleasant and informative read for curious general readers and armed with a boatload of references for scholars.-Nadine Dalton Speidel, Cuyahoga Cty. P.L., Parma, OH (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Kluge: The Haphazard Construction of the Human Mind, 2008, etc.) asked himself a few years ago, and this intelligent, educational and exuberant book is his answer. Marcus approached his lifelong dream from both a personal and professional level; he wanted to play, but he also wanted to challenge the "critical periods" theory of learning, which suggests that you should learn music early or not at all. The author threw himself into mastering his ax, pushing the limits to see just how far a new trick could take an old dog. In the process, he explores how the senses reorganize to adapt to new information and investigates where music comes from, what evolutionary function (if any) it serves and why some people have rhythm and others don't. Marcus asks eternal questions on which the jury is still out: Where does talent come from? How far will sheer hard work take you? Why are there countless obsessive, 24/7 guitarists, but there's only been one Jimi Hendrix? Why do the most dedicated composers of rock and pop songs fall far short of what Bob Dylan or the Beatles accomplished in their 20s? Is it genetic? Nature or nurture? The author sought opinions and advice from people across the music world--e.g., jazz impresario Pat Metheny and Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine--and even attended rock-band camp, humbling himself to audition for a band of 11-year-olds who needed someone on bass. Whether or not readers (aging or otherwise) will profit by the author's example, this enjoyable blend of music appreciation, science and personal exploration commands a new respect for how the brain and body responds to the promise, and shock, of the new.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
