Category Archives: Arachnophonia

Arachnophonia: Billy Joel “The Stranger”

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Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Julie (class of 2028) and features Billy Joel’s classic 1977 album The Stranger. Thanks, Julie!

Billy Joel
The Stranger

Billy Joel - The Stranger (1977) album cover

The Stranger is easily my favorite album by American pianist and singer-songwriter, Billy Joel. I grew up hearing his music blasting from the radio and my dad’s speaker, and while this album contains several of his popular, more up-beat hits such as “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)” and “Only The Good Die Young,” I have to admit that “Vienna” and “She’s Always A Woman” have my heart.

Easily recognizable by its iconic piano introduction, “Vienna” leaves the listener with a gentle reminder to stop and smell the roses as a young adult; life doesn’t end with old age!

“She’s Always A Woman” is, I think, one of the most beautiful love songs out there. While it’s certainly mellow, the complexity of Joel’s melody and instrumentation make it stand out in a crowd without losing its approachability.

I’ll always jump at the chance to use my CD player, and for me, I found The Stranger to be the perfect soundtrack for a rainy day study session. With a stellar group of songs perfectly representing a wide variety of emotions, this album truly has something for everyone.

Arachnophonia: “There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift” by Kevin Evers

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Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Elina (class of 2029) and features a book about the intersection of Taylor Swift, pop culture, and business. Thanks, Elina!

There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift by Kevin Evers

There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift by Kevin Evers

Finance bros and Swifties (Taylor Swift’s fans) usually don’t mix. One’s busy crying to heartbreak songs, the other’s checking the stock market a bit too much. But the book titled There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift by Kevin Evers might just bring them together. It’s the rare book that proves that Taylor Swift is not just on top of the charts, but she is also running a billion-dollar brand.

The author Kevin Evers is an editor at Harvard Business Review and this book has been featured in Rolling Stone, People Magazine, US Weekly, USA Today, The Financial Times, and more. The book was named to the Financial Times “What to Read in 2025” list and was also named one of the “Thirty books we’re excited to read in the first half of 2025” by The Sydney Morning Herald.

There’s Nothing Like This unpacks the calculated plan behind Swift’s every move, from re-recording her albums to forming a direct relationship with her fans that beats any thriving company’s customer loyalty strategy. Her fans will love seeing how her methods fit into the business world and anyone interested in marketing or entrepreneurship will be surprised by her strategy.

This book connects two worlds: pop culture and business. It’s written in a way that is fun, easy to follow and you don’t have to have any prior knowledge of marketing to get it. Whether you are a Swiftie who wants to learn more about the behind the scenes of what she does or a finance bro who admires good and successful business strategies, this book shows that Taylor Swift’s success isn’t just luck, it’s a combination of smart moves and understanding of marketing. She truly is a mastermind.

Arachnophonia: Ariana Grande: “Eternal Sunshine”

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Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Claire (class of 2028) and features Ariana Grande’s 2024 studio album Eternal Sunshine on vinyl. Thanks, Claire!

Ariana Grande

Eternal Sunshine

Ariana Grande - Eternal Sunshine

Ariana Grande’s latest studio album, Eternal Sunshine, was released in 2024. This album showcases Ariana’s growth as an artist, blending smooth R&B, electronic pop, and introspective lyrics. It contains some of her most talked-about songs, including “yes, and?” and “we can’t be friends.” Eternal Sunshine explores themes of self-reflection, love, and personal growth, making it a favorite among fans.

What makes Eternal Sunshine unique is its cohesive sound and thoughtful songwriting. The song “We can’t be friends” highlights Ariana’s emotional vulnerability, while other tracks provide a balance of energy and melody. Whether you’ve followed Ariana’s career from the beginning or are a newer listener, this album is enjoyable and engaging to experience.

For students interested in studying contemporary pop, themes of self-reflection in music, or the intersection of electronic production with emotional lyricism, Eternal Sunshine is a great resource. But beyond analysis, it’s also simply an enjoyable listen — a vinyl record that captures both the challenges and beauty of growth.

Arachnophonia: Prince and the Revolution “Purple Rain”

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Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Griffin (class of 2027) and features Prince and the Revolution’s classic album Purple Rain (available on vinyl and CD at the Music Library). Thanks, Griffin!

Prince and the Revolution

Purple Rain

Purple Rain album cover

How did Prince’s legacy we honor today as an international pop superstar begin? For starters, it comes from this record smashing album that is one of the most iconic records from the 80s. Already making quite a significant headway in the music industry from earlier songs like “1999” and “Little Red Corvette” that got Prince to the peak of some mountains, this album was the ship that blasted off Prince into the stardom we know today. Earning Prince best album of the year, song of the year, and movie of the year, and awarded 4th place on Apple’s 100 best albums list, Purple Rain brought forth the future of music as we know it.

Released in 1984, the album broke the rules of the music genre like never before. This is unsurprising for Prince who always fought against being bound to any one particular label and its restrictions (literal music labels as well as the metaphoric ones). The album mixed pop, soul, funk, R&B, rock, gospel, and neo-psychedelia into an unpredictable sonic experience. This fusion found new ways of expression through music and sent waves of influence into the present landscape of music.

As for the content, Prince explores themes of love, lust, identity, alienation, loss and spirituality. Singing with raw emotional depth, the topics give a profound view into the artist’s life and speaks to the human experience. Through “I Would Die 4 U”, Prince challenges ideas of masculinity and sexuality, becoming one of the first artists of color to champion gender-fluidity on the global stage. Purple Rain also influenced how albums were sold because of its content. The track “Darling Nikki” spurred public backlash for its sexually explicit themes, creating the rule in the music industry that albums with child-unfriendly material must have Parental Advisory stickers.

Overall, Purple Rain was one of the most culturally significant albums created and the magnum opus of the late artist formerly known as Prince, and you can check out the vinyl at the Music Library today!

Arachnophonia: Chinese Music by Jin Jie

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Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Sophia (class of 2028) and features an historical overview of the music of China. Thanks, Sophia!

Chinese Music by Jin Jie
Translated by Wang Li and Li Rong.

Chinese Music by Jin Jie

As a student minoring in Chinese studies and a fan of Chinese music, I often find myself listening to older songs that were released before I was born.

The book Chinese Music explores the unique styles of Chinese music, including a variety of musical instruments that played an important role in shaping its culture. Music began with people singing, a form of expression that spread across regions and inspired labor workers to sing while working, offering encouragement.

Back then, people didn’t have the modern instruments we use today, so they created their own. For example, they made flutes out of bones and used special stones called qing to produce clear, piercing sounds. They crafted drums out of bronze and developed instruments like the xun, which resembles an ocarina, sometimes nicknamed a “potato flute.”

As time passes, the instruments they use also evolve. During the Qing Dynasty, performers played instruments like erhus and south bangs. The erhu is a two-stringed instrument played with a bow and held vertically on the lap, similar to a violin. A South Bangs is a small drum struck with a stick.

I found it fascinating to read about these historical instruments, especially since I’ve seen some of them in the shows I watch. If you’re interested in learning more about traditional Chinese music, I highly recommend checking out the book Chinese Music at the Parsons Music Library.

Arachnophonia: Billie Eilish “Hit Me Hard and Soft”

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Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Susanne (class of 2026) and features Billie Eilish’s 2024 studio album Hit Me Hard and Soft. Thanks, Susanne!

Billie Eilish
Hit Me Hard and Soft

Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft

Great news, music library people! Our vinyl collection is expanding and we have some exciting new(er) records to share with you all. One addition that’s been super exciting to me is Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft.

Eilish’s third studio album was released just last year on May 17, 2024 and was co-authored by her brother, Finneas O’Connell. The album features 10 tracks, most of which you’ve probably heard on the radio, on social media, or out in public. Hit Me Hard and Soft was widely praised and received two Grammy nominations for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album. It explores themes of love, heartbreak, insecurity, and queer identity and relationships.

When I first listened to the album I jumped between songs a bit, not realizing the musical and narrative elements that flowed between each track when played in order. Each song blends into the next, creating a really cool, cohesive listening experience which, in my opinion, is even better when using physical music like a record instead of a streaming platform. My favorite songs have shifted a lot since the album was released, but as of right now I would recommend “Chihiro,” “The Greatest,” and “Bittersuite.”

Hit Me Hard and Soft is at times humorous and snarky, occasionally heartbreaking, and always vocally and musically superb. Definitely check it out (literally, at the library!) and enjoy this album that has so much to offer.

Arachnophonia: The Steve Miller Band “Anthology”

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Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Rocio (class of 2027) and features the vinyl set Anthology by the Steve Miller Band. Thanks, Rocio!

From Space Cowboys to Study Breaks: My Ride with the Steve Miller Band

The Steve Miller Band Anthology

Steve Miller Band - Anthology

We all have those songs. The ones that come on the radio and give you a pure hit of nostalgia. You might not know the name of the album, or even all the words, but you know the feeling. For me, a lot of those songs are by the Steve Miller Band. They bring me back to car rides with my dad, blasting music and trying to sing along to songs that are now forever engraved in my memory.

On my latest trip to the Music Library’s vinyl section, I wasn’t looking for anything in particular. That’s when I saw it: a compilation that looked like a greatest hits list from classic rock heaven, Steve Miller Band – Anthology. It was a two-record treasure chest and transported me back to those car rides with my dad. That feeling is something really special, especially since I don’t see a lot of college students thinking about their parents that often. But the truth is, as an international student, I’m always thinking of mine, and this album made me feel a couple of miles closer to home.

Moving past my personal anecdote, the great thing about these vinyls — whether it’s Miller or anything else in the Music Library — is that you can tap into that vibe without digging through your parents’ attic for a turntable. The library has that covered. I ended up taking a full-on study break to listen to the album, one hit after another. It’s a masterclass in 70s rock. There’s a reason these tracks have survived decades — they’re just pure, uncomplicated fun.
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So, if you need a break that actually feels like a break, I have a suggestion. Go to the Music Library. Find that call number or just wander the vinyl section until a familiar face (or album cover) winks at you.
Plug in your headphones, drop the needle, and take a 45-minute vacation. Or, if your dorm room needs a soundtrack, you can simply check it out.

Arachnophonia: Kids See Ghosts

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Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Ibrahim (class of 2028) and features Kids See Ghosts, a 2018 collaboration between Kanye West and Kid Cudi on vinyl. Thanks, Ibrahim!

Kids See Ghosts

Kids See Ghosts album cover (2018)

KIDS SEE GHOSTS is the first and only collaborative studio album by Kanye West and Kid Cudi, released in 2018. It marked a bold change for both artists, blending hip-hop with rock, psychedelia, and experimental sounds. This album includes some of their most acclaimed tracks, such as “Reborn,” “Fire,” and “Cudi Montage.” KIDS SEE GHOSTS deals with themes of mental health, healing, and resilience, making it a powerful and personal favorite among fans.

What makes KIDS SEE GHOSTS unique is its raw honesty and creative production. Songs like “Reborn” repeat a mantra of moving forward, offering listeners a message of growth and renewal. “Cudi Montage” layers Kid Cudi’s reflective lyrics over a haunting guitar sample, showing how music can carry both pain and hope at the same time. Whether you’ve followed Kanye West and Kid Cudi for years or are just discovering their work, this album offers a moving and unforgettable listening experience.

The Parsons Music Library has KIDS SEE GHOSTS available on vinyl, so you can immerse yourself in its striking sound. Whether you want to reflect on its messages, enjoy its bold style, or simply let it play in the background, fans agree that KIDS SEE GHOSTS is a transformative listen.

Arachnophonia: Kendrick Lamar “To Pimp A Butterfly”

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Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Alexandra (class of 2026) and features our vinyl copy of Kendrick Lamar’s 2015 album To Pimp A Butterfly. Thanks, Alex!

Kendrick Lamar

To Pimp A Butterfly

Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly - Album Cover Art

Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly album is still as popular now, if not more, than it was when it was released in 2015. The album features a wide variety of songs, with some more jazzy, experimental, and some more typical hip-hop. One of the most infamous songs featured is “Alright.” The instrumental was produced by Pharrell Williams in 2014 for rapper Fabolous. When Fabolous turned the song down, it was turned over to Kendrick Lamar where he started creating lyrics. Initially, Kendrick Lamar stated he felt the song did not fit well with the rest of the album. After adding some drums to the background, Kendrick approved it for his album.

“Alright” alone received four nominations for Grammy awards, winning Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance. The total album earned Lamar seven nominations at that year’s Grammy Awards. The album went on to win Best Rap Album for the year. In the years following, To Pimp A Butterfly was named one of the best albums of the 2010s and Rolling Stone’s added it to The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. All of the awards highlight the experience the album provided. The numerous musical styles and messages provided in each song have continued to make it feel fresh after each listen, contributing to the popularity of the album still seen today.

Arachnophonia: Joe Hisaishi “A Symphonic Celebration : Music from the Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki”

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Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Eliana (class of 2027) and features a vinyl record of music from the films of Miyazaki. Thanks, Eliana!

Joe Hisaishi and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
A Symphonic Celebration : Music from the Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki

Joe Hisaishi - A Symphonic Celebration vinyl album cover

Joe Hisaishi is a Japanese composer, music director, pianist, and conductor most known for his collaboration with Studio Ghibli and its creator, Hayao Miyazaki, a Japanese animator and filmmaker. Together, they have created a number of brilliant films, including Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, and Howl’s Moving Castle (my personal favorite!), with amazing musical scores. Through this album, you can experience the movies without even seeing them!

This is an album that I have experienced in both a film concert and through vinyl, and in my opinion, I believe it is an amazing score no matter how you listen to it. If you are a fan of that fairytale feeling you get from watching animated movies made by companies such as Disney or Pixar, there is a chance you will love Joe Hisaishi’s music. Even without knowing the movies associated with each of the songs on this vinyl, the songs can tell you exactly how each movie will make you feel. For example, when listening to “Ponyo On The Cliff By The Sea,” I can tell that the movie will give me a joyful feeling; however, do not be fooled by its childlike tone. These songs, and their respective movies, can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and they serve as background to the deep and rich stories created by Hayao Miyazaki.

This album may only appeal to specific audiences, and you might have to watch the movies to truly understand where I am coming from; however, I believe that Joe Hisaishi is a brilliant composer that conveys many feelings and emotions through music. And remember, this is only a taste of what Hisaishi has to offer! I recommend exploring his other work as well, and maybe even take a look at Miyazaki’s films so you can see the songs in action!