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Perfect Sound Whatever
- Narrated by: James Acaster
- Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins
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Perfect Sound Whatever
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Summary
PERFECT SOUND WHATEVER is a love letter to the healing power of music, and how one man's obsessive quest saw him defeat the bullshit of one year with the beauty of another. Because that one man is James Acaster, it also includes tales of befouling himself in a Los Angeles steakhouse, stealing a cookie from Clint Eastwood, and giving drunk, unsolicited pep talks to urinating strangers.
January, 2017
James Acaster wakes up heartbroken and alone in New York, his relationship over, a day of disastrous meetings leading him to wonder if comedy is really what he wants to be doing any more.
A constant comfort in James's life has been music, but he's not listened to anything new for a very long time. Idly browsing 'best of the year' lists, it dawns on him that 2016 may have been a grim year for a lot of reasons, but that it seemed to be an iconic year for music. And so begins a life-changing musical odyssey, as James finds himself desperately seeking solace in the music of 2016, setting himself the task of only listening to music released that year, ending up with 500 albums in his collection.
Looking back on this year-long obsession, parallels begin to grow between the music and James's own life: his relationship history, the highs and lows of human connection, residual Christian guilt, and mental health issues that have been bubbling under the surface for years. Some albums are life-changing masterpieces, others are 'Howdilly Doodilly' by Okilly Dokilly, a metalcore album devoted to The Simpsons' character Ned Flanders, but all of them play a part the year that helped James Acaster get his life back on track.
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What listeners say about Perfect Sound Whatever
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Rhys Clark
- 27-08-19
I LOVE JAMES ACASTER! A GREAT LISTEN
Now I have loadw of albums to listen to! a really good, enthralling yet easy listen/binge listen over the August bank holiday weekend. it's always great to learn more about James' life. Truly one of the most unique and hands down my favourite comedian! 😍😍😍
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3 people found this helpful
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- Colin Chisholm
- 09-09-19
Brilliant and funny, well researched and deep.
Loved it. Acaster is a performer so you're really getting the optimal version here. It will have you belly-laughing.
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- Ian Mort
- 15-09-19
real life high fidelity
a great big cake of mature and thoughtful look at albums from 2016, mixed together with smart reviews and insightful back story's to the artists story, sprinkled with how these personally reflected or impacted upon James life, where he bravely gives an upfront and honest example of himself and how mental health can affect us in always.
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- Greg
- 09-09-19
a life changing experience
Such a skilfully woven and brilliantly researched book. Take a listen and rediscover your love for finding new music
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- James Whitehead
- 22-10-19
Interactive!
I really enjoyed this book in a completely different way than I expected. I ended up listening to some of the albums recommended and found some of my new favorite songs thanks to Mr Acasters recommendations. It's refreshing to hear something autobiographical where the story is told through the prism of something the author is so passionate about. It stuck me as a very honest, but still humorous, book.
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- Siôn Rees
- 17-02-20
Great book which makes me like James Acaster more
A vulnerable view of James Acaster laced in his quirky humour and taste in music. Some great subtle segments in there that will stick with me forever. Just makes me a bigger fan.
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- Jonathan Haigh
- 02-07-20
Amazing theory, stunningly backed up!
Genuinely can't stop looking at albums I love and discovering they derived from this period! Often hard to hear about someone you invest stock in (without ever having met) because you enjoy the art they put out, but it just makes you invest more and share the joys even more vividly!
Loved this book and am loving the Podcast's it's theory has created (James Acaster's Perfect Sounds)
A triumph!
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- Anonymous User
- 12-05-20
Good listen
An interesting listen and worth it just for the band Okily Dokily.
James is very funny and there are some good tales in there as well as a serious overall theme. I not a big music person but that doesn’t matter. Don’t let it put you off.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Stephen Casey
- 03-09-19
Fair play, Fair play , this book is excellent
Brilliant work James, . loved as much the previous book. it's so well put together with a thread of very funny stories and an open and honest account of his mental health holding it all together , prepare to be searching on spotify for the albums..was like this book gave me homework. in the best possible way..
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- Simon
- 26-08-19
witty, funny, sad, just amazing...
I love James Acaster and have had this on pre-order for so long I actually forgot about it's release! and when I got the email saying I could download it I was so excited. such a great book and James' voice and attitude throughout just make it even better. can't wait to see him live in a couple of weeks!
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