A remarkable story of dogged determination to prove his own body wrong and, as such, is one of the more illuminating cultural studies of modern times. * Globe and Mail * Falconer is old school in his traditional approach to journalism. He conducts lengthy interviews and fluidly articulates complex scientific concepts. Hes the protagonist yet he doesnt digress into self-indulgence. The result is fresh, intelligent prose. While he may be a bad singer, hes a thorough researcher and gifted raconteur. What Falconer lacks in pitch he makes up for in curiosity and passion. * Toronto Star * An engaging, step-by-step look into how scientists study tone deafness . . . an essential tale about how human beings, even those of us with tin ears, cant help but be drawn to music . . . Over the last decade there have been a number of books published about the science of music such as Daniel Levitans This Is Your Brain on Music, Oliver Sackss Musicophilia, and David Byrnes How Music Works and Bad Singer is a doubly successful effort because it doesnt retread the same ground of these books, with Falconer couching his subject in a personal journey thats enjoyable to follow. * National Post * Bad Singer deftly combines a memoir of Falconers personal musical history with a scientific look into how humans hear music. * Maclean's * A spirited, even adventurous look at the mysteries of how the human brain perceives and processes sound and even, on occasion, manages to make beautiful music. * Kirkus Reviews * Falconers self-deprecating humour keeps Bad Singers tone lighthearted and as entertaining as the photos of him hamming it up as a singer on the book cover. Lines like Im a bad singer. And deep down, it matters produce an undercurrent of sorrow, but far more pronounced are his curiosity, vulnerability, and perseverance. Its a deeply human book, and his most personal. * Quill & Quire * An engaging tale. * Winnipeg Free Press *
