Listen Up!

I went into *Listen Up!* expecting a dry recounting of recording sessions, but Mark Howard delivered something far more electric. Peter Berkrot’s narration is the secret weapon here—his voice has this effortless gravitas, perfectly balancing the book’s blend of technical insight and personal reflection. Berkrot nails the cadence of a seasoned storyteller, whether he’s channeling Howard’s dry humor during a disastrous mixdown or conveying the quiet awe of working with artists like Gord Downie in his final days. That said, the pacing stumbles in a few spots, particularly in the middle third where the album-by-album breakdowns start to feel like a catalog rather than a narrative. Howard’s stories are undeniably rich—his account of the *Out of Time*-era R.E.M. sessions alone is worth the price of admission—but the lack of a stronger overarching structure means it occasionally meanders. Still, the highs are so high that the lulls feel minor. Berkrot’s performance turns even the most mundane mixing details into compelling drama, and Howard’s willingness to expose his own missteps (like the time he misfiled a crucial tape) makes him feel refreshingly human. If you’re a music nerd, this is catnip; if you’re just curious, it’s a front-row seat to the chaos and artistry of making records.