Let’s Talk About Love: Why Other People Have Bad Taste

Carl Wilson's Let’s Talk About Love is by far the most unique entry in the 33 1/3 series. Rather than writing a hagiographic book about a critically-acclaimed album (as is typical in the series), Wilson chooses Let’s Talk About Love by Celine Dion. He uses the album to explore the concepts of taste, snobbery, and irony, as well as Dion’s personal history and fan base, all in an attempt to understand the huge popularity and critical revulsion to her music. Wilson takes a thoughtful and generous approach, and while he can’t bring himself to love her music, he does wind up in a more open-minded and respectful place. (This edition of the book is an expanded version of Wilson’s original 33 1/3 book, and includes essays by Ann Powers, Mary Gaitskill, Nick Hornby, Marco Roth, and others.)