Title: Visualizing the Beatles

Author: John Pring and Rob Thomas

Publisher: Dey Street 2018

Genre: Nonfiction - Music

Pages: 288

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love

Filled with stunning full-color infographics, a unique, album-by-album visual history of the evolution of the Beatles that examines how their style, their sound, their instruments, their songs, their tours, and the world they inhabited transformed over the course of a decade.

Combining data, colorful artwork, interactive charts, graphs, and timelines, Visualizing the Beatlesis a fresh and imaginative look at the world’s most popular band. Meticulously examining the songs on every Beatles’ album from Please Please Me to Let It Be, UK-based graphic artists John Pring and Rob Thomas deconstruct:

lyrical content
songwriting credits
inspiration for the songs
instruments used
cover designs
chart position
and more . . . .

Random library shelf pick. I couldn’t resist the fun images and bright colors. I spent an afternoon flipping through and reading about various facts about The Beatles. I especially loved the graphics dealing with fashion and songwriting. A few of the spreads were a bit too text heavy, but overall, I really enjoyed this.

Next up on the TBR pile:

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years. Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100. Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.

Year: 1999

Book: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Music Selections: Overall this year was really electic when it came to music. I went to see Korn and Rob Zombie in concert, but I also listened to stuff like Sarah McLachlan. I was all over the place musically!

Dixie Chicks "Ready to Run" -- Most country I don't like, but for some reason I really got into the Dixie Chicks. I still listen to them every once in a while.
Lenny Kravitz "American Woman" -- I can't help but see Heather Graham as Felicity Shagwell writhing around on a car for Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. Hee hee!
Sarah McLachlan "I Will Remember You" -- Such a great song. I can't help but remember listening to this all the time.
Santana and Rob Thomas "Smooth" -- Big hit of the summer. The perfect summer song to sing along to.
The Offspring "The Kids aren't Alright" -- Love The Offspring. Smash was one permanent rotation in my car throughout most of the year. And then Americana was released and I had a whole new batch of songs. Including this amazing anthem. There's one particular reference in here that reminds me of one of my ex-boyfriends.

Visualizing the Beatles by John Pring and Rob Thomas

Music Monday -- 1999