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This is What It Sounds Like
This is What It Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You | Ogi Ogas, Susan Rogers
10 posts | 12 read | 39 to read
A legendary record-producer–turned–brain-scientist explains why you fall in love with music.
When you listen to music, do you prefer lyrics or melody? Intricate harmonies or driving rhythm? The “real” sounds of acoustic instruments or those of computerized synthesizers? Drawing from her successful career as a music producer (engineering hits like Prince’s “Purple Rain”), professor of cognitive neuroscience Susan Rogers reveals why your favorite songs move you. She explains that we each possess a unique “listener profile” based on our brain’s reaction to seven key dimensions of any record: authenticity, realism, novelty, melody, lyrics, rhythm, and timbre. Exploring this profile will deepen your connection to music, refresh your playlists, and uncover aspects of your personality. Rogers takes us behind the scenes of record-making, using her insider’s ear to illuminate the music of Prince, Frank Sinatra, Lana Del Rey, and many others. Told in a lively, inclusive style, This Is What It Sounds Like will change the way you listen to music.
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review
Billypar
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Pickpick

There's no accounting for taste when it comes to music, right? Actually, music producer Susan Rogers and co-author Ogi Ogas would argue that's not entirely true. They combine research and Rogers' own experiences as a producer of Prince and other bigtime acts to describe 7 dimensions of listener taste that form our 'listener profiles'. And they've got a website with links to all the songs referenced so you can hear the distinctions in real time 👇

Billypar I was especially interested in their analysis because I feel like my own listener profile has done a 180 since my young adulthood when it's supposed to have crystallized. Now I seek out novelty more than ever before and listen more closely to rhythm and timbres (not a term I even knew before - basically the specific qualities of vocals or instrumental sounds). I think this is a must- read for any music fan 🎧🎶🎧🎵 (edited) 8mo
vivastory Will def check this out! 8mo
BarbaraBB Me too. What a great review! 8mo
See All 7 Comments
batsy This sounds fascinating! Adding to the list. 8mo
Suet624 Definitely stacking. 8mo
SconsinBookyBadger This looks intriguing! I‘m adding book on my list to check out next trip to the library. 8mo
49 likes5 stack adds7 comments
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rabbitprincess
Pickpick

I really liked reading about different elements of music that you can think about in order to identify what makes you tick as a music fan. The book comes with a playlist of songs that are discussed, and I strongly recommend listening to them as they arise in the text.
#DoubleSpin March 2023

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
rabbitprincess @TheAromaofBooks I‘m actually up to date on my BookSpin reading for the year! 😮 Not sure how that happened! 2y
TheAromaofBooks Oh nice!! Sometimes everything just comes together 😂 2y
17 likes3 comments
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Jari-chan
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Pickpick

I do not think of myself as a musical person, even though having played the guitar for several years. But I am interested in topics that dig into the topics of why one likes the things they like. That's why I wanted to read this book - and wow! It totally blew my mind and the way I'm listening to music now. I learned so, so much about how our brain works when we're listening to music, it's amazing.

@TheAromaofBooks #DoubleSpin

TheAromaofBooks Oooo I might have to check this one out! I don't know how to say this exactly, but I love learning about “gut feelings“ - things we just like or don't like, and thinking about why. Things like music, art, color - even just when you walk a room and sometimes you vibe and sometimes you don't haha A guy we like on YouTube (Rick Beato) does “What Makes This Song Great“ videos sometimes, and even when they are songs I don't like they are still ⬇ 2y
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) so interesting to me because he can point out different riffs, counter-melodies, percussion, etc. that are all working together but that not-particularly-musical-people like myself don't notice as individual parts. 2y
Crazeedi Hello there! Hope you are well! Need to send a note soon💗 2y
See All 7 Comments
Jari-chan @TheAromaofBooks Those videos sound very interesting! And this book might be something for you, indeed ☺️ 2y
Jari-chan @Crazeedi I I'm looking forward to getting your mail. Just take your time 😊 2y
kwmg40 Glad to hear you liked this book. I'd recently bought it for my husband who plays guitar and dabbles in sound recording. He, like @TheAromaofBooks, is also a huge fan of Rick Beato's videos. 2y
Jari-chan @kwmg40 What a fitting gift for your husband - I hope he likes the book as well 🙂 2y
27 likes1 stack add7 comments
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RebL
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My hold for this book from the library finally came through, & I had to stop myself from reading at 3a so I could get sleep for work. Then I bought a stack to give to friends, which I was going to photograph but gave them all away right away. Here‘s a playlist that will enhance your experience: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5FwghDk8f8jgJdGPIF1RNM

15 likes1 stack add
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stretchkev
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Mehso-so

Mostly good. A more or less a how to guide for becoming an active listener. Wanted a bit more science or objectivity to this and a bit less biographical anecdotes. Not bad but didn't really live up to the promise of the synopsis for me.

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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

In this fascinating book, record producer Rogers (who has worked with Prince, Bare Naked Ladies and more) and neuroscientist Ogas delve into the various parts of music (lyrics, melody, timbre, etc) to help the reader understand why they respond to the particular music they do. They even have you go listen to songs as examples. I personally loved the science parts, but I think this would be enjoyable for anyone.

Texreader Fascinating!! 2y
Prairiegirl_reading I love a book with a soundtrack. This one is fascinating. 2y
47 likes3 stack adds2 comments
blurb
Librariana
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Our local Barnes & Noble is going through quite a remodeling process right now so most of the shelves have been moved, are all cattywampus (my preferred spelling of the word), and have been arranged very haphazardly... which is fine by me because that leads me to happy accidents like stumbling across this while waiting for a beverage! 😊

I believe @megabooks might have already written a fabulous review about it.

#addittothetbrpile

vivastory My local B&N is ALWAYS rearranging. It's getting obnoxious 😂 2y
Megabooks Yes! This was great! So weird how they constantly rearrange at mine too… 2y
Librariana @vivastory Isn't it absolutely batty, Scott!?? It's like they've turned book shopping into a challenge mixed with a maze. 2y
Librariana @Megabooks I wonder if they do this to keep things fresh? 🤔 Or just to drive us bonkers! I was delighted to see your review of this title the other day because I've come to learn what an excellent audiophile you are 😊 This one popped up on my favorite indie's IG feed... but I feel guilty for picking it up at B&N 😳 2y
38 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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RamsFan1963
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Pickpick

124/150 Wow, what an amazing book! If you're interested in music, want to understand your likes and dislikes, what it says about you, then this is definitely the book for you. I know I'm more a melody person and a lyricist, the reason I enjoy classical and film scores more than most popular music. I do recommend you have Spotify or another music app qued up, you'll want to listen to the author's examples
Continued in comments ⬇️⬇️

RamsFan1963 It really expanded my enjoyment of the book, introduced me to some new music, and made me realize there is no good or bad music, just music and the listener's music profile. 4 🎶🎶🎶🎶 1/2 2y
59 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Megabooks
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Pickpick

🎶 Calling Litsy music fans! 🎶 This is such a fascinating book by Prince‘s chief sound engineer. She explains that each of us has a specific listener profile based on seven dimensions: things like authenticity, tambour, and whether we connect more with lyrics or beats. Have your Spotify open because she gives specific songs that help you identify what you connect with. Some things about my listener profile surprised me (others didn‘t)!

EclecticBookLover Reading this one now and it is fascinating! 2y
Cinfhen Hells yeah 🎉😜 2y
See All 11 Comments
squirrelbrain Stacked! 2y
BarbaraBB Wow! Stacked! 2y
DisneyFan Thanks for sharing! Stacked! 2y
youneverarrived Sounds so interesting! 2y
Megabooks @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB I know my musical sisters would love this!! 2y
Megabooks @squirrelbrain @DisneyFan @youneverarrived I hope you all enjoy it! One of the most interesting and unique books I‘ve read this year. 2y
Suet624 Well, add me to the list of people who are stacking this book! I love all kinds of music - heavy metal to classical - so I'm curious to see what that has to say about me. 2y
Megabooks @Suet624 I think this may help you find the thread that ties all your likes together because I have very eclectic tastes too. I hope you enjoy it! 2y
86 likes16 stack adds11 comments
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DogEaredBooks
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Pickpick

If you love learning about music look no further! This book looks at the brain's music preferences by examining different aspects of songs. Sprinkled in with the musical examples, scientific studies, & the authors genuine enthusiasm for the topic is Susan Rogers' stories as a multiplatinum record producer working with artists (like Prince!). I loved this book and I highly recommend to anyone who is even a little interested.

#netgalley Pub 9/20/22

AmyG Sounds quite interesting. I listen to alot of music.. 2y
DogEaredBooks @AmyG it is absolutely fascinating! And it really makes you think about what you listen to and why you like it which I loved 2y
AmyG I listen to many different genres. I‘d be curious what it says about me. 2y
21 likes1 stack add3 comments