Atria Books
The Holy or the Broken : Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, and the Unlikely Ascent of "Hallelujah"
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The Holy or the Broken
Author(s): Alan Light
Praised as “brilliantly revelatory…a masterful work of critical journalism” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), The Holy or the Broken is the fascinating account of one of the most-performed rock songs in history—Leonard Cohen’s heartrending “Hallelujah.”
How did one obscure song become an international anthem for human triumph and tragedy, a song each successive generation seems to feel they have discovered and claimed as uniquely their own? Celebrated music journalist Alan Light follows the improbable journey of “Hallelujah” straight to the heart of popular culture.
Review(s):
"Thoughtful and illuminating... [Mr. Light] is a fine companion for this journey through one song’s changing fortunes."
"A combination mystery tale, detective story, pop critique and sacred psalm of its own."
"Brilliantly revelatory... A masterful work of critical journalism."
"A deeply researched mixture of critical analysis and cultural archaeology."
"Keeps the pages turning... A well-constructed, consistently enlightening book, which should have Cohen devotees and music fans alike seeking out their favorite version of the song."
"Fresh and compelling."
"Reverentially details every stage in the [song's] evolution—and along the way, he reveals the compelling stories behind some of its most iconic interpretations."
"Absorbing…Eloquent... Light expertly unpacks the song's long, strange journey to ubiquity."
"A must for music fans."
ISBN: 9781451657852
Author(s): Alan Light
Praised as “brilliantly revelatory…a masterful work of critical journalism” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), The Holy or the Broken is the fascinating account of one of the most-performed rock songs in history—Leonard Cohen’s heartrending “Hallelujah.”
How did one obscure song become an international anthem for human triumph and tragedy, a song each successive generation seems to feel they have discovered and claimed as uniquely their own? Celebrated music journalist Alan Light follows the improbable journey of “Hallelujah” straight to the heart of popular culture.
Review(s):
"Thoughtful and illuminating... [Mr. Light] is a fine companion for this journey through one song’s changing fortunes."
"A combination mystery tale, detective story, pop critique and sacred psalm of its own."
"Brilliantly revelatory... A masterful work of critical journalism."
"A deeply researched mixture of critical analysis and cultural archaeology."
"Keeps the pages turning... A well-constructed, consistently enlightening book, which should have Cohen devotees and music fans alike seeking out their favorite version of the song."
"Fresh and compelling."
"Reverentially details every stage in the [song's] evolution—and along the way, he reveals the compelling stories behind some of its most iconic interpretations."
"Absorbing…Eloquent... Light expertly unpacks the song's long, strange journey to ubiquity."
"A must for music fans."
ISBN: 9781451657852