It seems like it would be hard to pick two art forms that have less to do with each other than music and literature.  One involves listening to sounds, the other involves silently reading words.  But, there is a certain music in language, and often, there is great language attached to music.  This edition of Thriller looks at both sides of . . .the issue.  First, in our interview with Ben Folds, we discuss what it was like to pair up with author Nick Hornby and make an album where Folds wrote the music to Hornby’s lyrics.  Folds, of course, is most famous for his excellent work with Ben Folds Five.  Hornby wrote High Fidelity, which was made into a movie that made Jack Black a star.

Next, Thriller contributor Ashley Belanger examines Thomas Pynchon’s Gravity’s Rainbow, one of the pillars of postmodern fiction, and one of the greatest books ever written.  The book is full of songs–lyrics, more accurately–but clearly the intent is for the reader to hear as well as read.

As always check out The Playlist and all the other fun pages.