Passing a Message: Case-Bound Lyric & Essay Book

$41.99 USD

Passing a Message: Case-Bound Lyric & Essay Book

Name: Passing a Message: Case-Bound Lyric & Essay Book
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 12-057154312X
Price: 41.99 USD
Availability: InStock

The Lyrics and Artwork of Conor J. O'Brien, for the Music of Villagers

By Conor J O'Brien / Villagers

Item: 12-057154312X

$41.99

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Collected for the first time in one volume, Passing A Message contains the lyrics to over 80 songs, with artwork and photographs, along with previously unseen notebook lyric drafts and drawings curated by Conor J. O'Brien, for his musical project, Villagers. Presented as a full-color hardback book, with a unique glow-in-the dark cover.

"To catch an epiphany before it flies away; to play with it, to prod it until it tickles you into submission---this is songwriting . . . This book is dedicated to anyone who has been touched by these strange little musical maps of mine." --- Conor J. O'Brien, Villagers

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Publisher: Faber Music

Page Count: 240

ISBN10: 0-571-54312-X

ISBN13: 978-0-571-54312-0

UPC: 9780571543120

SKU: 12-057154312X

More about this title

About the Composer: Conor J. O'Brien

Conor J. O'Brien is the songwriter and creative force behind Villagers, an Irish folk-pop project that has garnered critical attention for its introspective lyricism and careful melodic construction. His approach to songwriting emphasizes precision in language and emotional clarity, drawing from folk traditions while incorporating contemporary production sensibilities.

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Why we love this

This collection opens a rare window into a songwriter's creative process, letting students and teachers see how lyrics evolve from notebook drafts to finished songs. The visual design and essay format transform what could be a simple lyric book into something closer to an artist's sketchbook, making it genuinely engaging for study rather than purely referential.

What to expect

Intimate and thoughtful. These are songs that favor reflection over spectacle, with lyrics that reward close listening and repeated returns. The overall mood is introspective folk-pop with moments of wry humor and genuine emotional weight.

Who it's for

Music educators and students interested in contemporary songwriting craft, whether in a song analysis class, a songwriting seminar, or an ensemble exploring modern folk-pop repertoire. This works equally well for individual study and group discussion.

How to get the most out of it

Read the essay alongside the lyrics to understand O'Brien's stated philosophy on songwriting; this context enriches how students approach learning and performing these songs.
Study the notebook drafts to identify where lyrics were refined or reworked; this trains attention to how word choice shapes meaning and singability.
Use this as a text for songwriting workshops, letting students trace how a single image or phrase developed across multiple revisions.

How to use it

This belongs in a music theory or composition classroom as a case study in lyrical development and song structure, or in an ensemble setting where performers benefit from understanding the artist's intention before learning arrangements. The hardback format and full-color design make it suitable as a concert program accompaniment or display piece during a Villagers-focused concert or study unit.