Customer Reviews

Karaoke Around the World (Routledge Research in Cultural and Media Studies)

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As a whole, Karaoke Around the World provides an interesting look at karaoke from a number of perspectives. The juxtaposition of writers provides an interesting cross-cultural comparison of karaoke, looking at Japan, Italy, Sweden, the UK, Japanese communities abroad, and a number of East Asian cultures as well.

The topics examined cover a wide range (socialization, cultural exchange, technology, etc.), but there is definitely an emphasis on karaoke as a cultural practice.

As is the tendency of such collections, some chapters shine while others leave a bit to be desired. Still, the volume is a worthwhile purchase for anyone interested in karaoke scholarship.

Highlights:

*Toru Mitsui- The Genesis of Karaoke: How the Combination of Technology and Music Evolved

*Johan Fornas- Filling Voids Along the Byway: Identification and Interpretation in the Swedish Forms of Karaoke

*Casey Man Kong Lum- The Karaoke Dilemma: On the Interaction Between Collectivism and Individualism in the Karaoke Space

A particular low point is Hiroshi Ogawa's chapter. While an interesting point of examination (karaoke's effects on the Japanese music culture and industry), the presentation falls short. I would venture to say that the chapter is a translation, and that therein lies the source of stylistic flaws (although I am uncertain if that's the case).