Music Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Vold Book’s Oceans of Curtains by John T. Trautman

A parable wrapped in a fantasy, complete with an eclectic soundtrack, Vold Book’s Oceans of Curtains: A Novel Set to Music by John T. Trautman is a delirious plunge into a mystical new world.

The realm of Ksevia has been harmonious and unified for generations, largely because its people have maintained “homeostasis of the communal anthos,” a group-mind version of their collective spirit, achieved through the widespread use of a stabilizing drug. It is widely believed across society that sustaining this shared homeostasis “provides nourishment to the soul of the universe.”

However, a radical faction of the citizenry who have […]

Review: A Guide to Jazz in Japan by Michael Pronko

A thorough overview for jazz fans anywhere in the world, A Guide to Jazz in Japan by Michael Pronko is a thoughtful music guide that casually swings across the line into storytelling.

Beginning with the author’s disclosure over his passion for Japan and the powerful connection he has to the jazz scene there, the book then proceeds into a recognizable guide of 40 jazz clubs, categorized by vibe and style, with detailed but succinct information on cost, expectations, location, history, and other standout features. Each is accompanied by the author’s more subjective account of his experience in each spot, offering […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-06-16T15:17:03+02:00May 14th, 2025|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Music Book Reviews|

Review: Rem’s Chance by Dave J. Andrae

Capturing the quiet struggle of a resilient generation with scathing wit and emotional depth, Rem’s Chance by Dave J. Andrae is a sardonic portrait of a generation.

A washed-up musician plagued by worst-case-scenario thinking rediscovers an almost forgotten passion when he embarks on a quest to uncover the past. After serendipitously running into an old bandmate in the midst of a tragedy, Remy Bruxvoort is catapulted back into the memories of his rock ‘n’ roll youth with Gene and Dusty, the other members of The Bubbling Samovars.

Setting aside his daunting ambition of writing a novel, and the painful stress […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-07-05T17:58:36+02:00May 30th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews, Music Book Reviews|

Review: The Wandering Pianist by Congyu Wang

Heartwrenching, humanistic, and beautifully told, The Wandering Pianist: From the Street to the Concert Hall by Congyu Wang is a humbly penned memoir that grips the imagination and offers renewed hope to artists and lost souls alike.

Swimming smoothly through time, the narrative weaves tales of Wang’s upbringing and childhood challenges with the humbling successes of his later life and moments of desperation along the way. From the humblest of beginnings to the grandest stages of Europe, Congyu demonstrates a remarkable belief in himself and a relentless determination to persevere. Despite facing doubt and derision from his family, as well […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-02-07T14:18:39+02:00February 6th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews, Music Book Reviews|

Review: From Bonham to Buddha and Back Again by Clementine Moss

The rare kind of memoir that makes one forget it’s not a novel, From Bonham to Buddha and Back Again: The Slow Enlightenment of the Hard Rock Drummer by Clementine Moss is an exhilarating and enlightening read.

Slowly revealing the autobiographical puzzle of her own music-infused life, from wild leaps to NYC, meditative mountain retreats, and early romance over drum kits to cross-country tours, sleepless benders, and bittersweet final shows, this book is laced with reckless adventure. Taking readers backstage in every sense of the word, the prose lays everything on the table – beliefs, passions, secrets, dreams, and the […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-12-22T19:20:07+02:00October 18th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews, Music Book Reviews, Spirituality Book Reviews|

Review: A Rakista’s 90s Mixtapes by Danna Rose

Author Danna Rose delivers a spot-on dive into the struggle of teenage life in the Philippines with her first novel, A Rakista’s 90s Mixtapes. What begins as a youthful fling of garage band aspirations becomes the real deal, with real consequences, record deals, broken hearts, and a surprising number of dramatic twists.

Evie is like many other protagonists of heartfelt coming-of-age novels, but also incredibly unique, accurately referenced as an “odd boy.” The foundational loss of her father shapes her character in countless ways, most obviously her obsession with all things related to music. How that love and loss are […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-09-14T18:00:38+02:00August 5th, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Music Book Reviews, Young Adult Book Reviews|

The Authors of This Dream by Seth Mullins

A radical, character-driven exploration of philosophy, meaning, music, and life itself, The Authors of This Dream by Seth Mullins is a rare piece of heart-baring fiction.

Brandon is the volatile and vulnerable lead singer behind The Edge of the Known; he’s a passionate musician seeking to exorcise his demons, but often inviting more along for the ride. Bursts of violence, drug use, existential crises, and manic episodes initially seem like the price of being a rock star, but it also triggers memories of his traumatic childhood. Suffering spells of nihilism, bursts of creative genius, and a lifetime of seeing – […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-08-11T03:37:42+02:00August 11th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews, Music Book Reviews|

Review: Lost Souls: A Fictional Journey through 50 Years of Pink Floyd by Edwin Ammerlaan

Author and music journalist Edwin Ammerlaan brings readers on the tour of a lifetime with Lost Souls: A Fictional Journey Through 50 Years of Pink Floyd. This magical slice of history collides a fictional protagonist with real-life rock stars and celebrities, painting a visceral and addictive picture of life in Pink Floyd’s inner circle.

Matt is the central figure and narrator of the story, a fictional proxy for the author himself, who has spent decades covering the perpetually evolving music industry, including writing a number of pieces on Pink Floyd. Matt lives the dream of many, slowly integrating himself […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-04-22T03:51:44+02:00March 15th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Historical Fiction Book Reviews, Music Book Reviews|