This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession

The book is widely praised for tackling the fascinating intersection of music and cognitive neuroscience, offering profound insights into how deeply music affects human and animal brains. Readers appreciated learning about various aspects, such as the evolutionary role of music, what contributes to musical skill beyond innate talent, and how music activates both ancient and modern parts of the brain. Many found the discussion on the importance of expectation and its systematic violations in creating musical enjoyment particularly illuminating. The author's dual background as a musician/producer and neuroscientist is often highlighted as a strength, allowing for a comprehensive yet accessible exploration of the subject, especially for those with some existing knowledge in either music or cognition. For many, it provided a new appreciation for the human mind and the power of music.

Despite its strengths, the book received criticism for several reasons. A recurring point was that the medium itself might be unsuitable, with some readers wishing for an auditory or visual presentation to truly experience the musical examples. Some found the initial sections on basic music theory overly detailed and tedious, especially for those with a musical background. Conversely, others felt the scientific explanations, while attempting accessibility, often delved into technical jargon that could be intimidating to the average reader. The author's inclusion of personal anecdotes, name-dropping, and tangential details about meetings or dinners was frequently cited as distracting and irrelevant to the core scientific content, leading to a perception that the book could have been significantly shorter. A few readers also expressed disappointment that the book did not fully answer fundamental questions about musical preferences or the precise nature of musical pleasure, often relying on "probablys" and "somehows" due to the evolving nature of scientific consensus.

Ultimately, this book is seen as a valuable and informative read, though its enjoyment factor varies significantly depending on the reader's background and expectations. It successfully bridges the worlds of music and neuroscience, making complex ideas more comprehensible, but it may not offer "eureka" moments for experts in either field. The audiobook version is highly recommended for its inclusion of musical examples, which greatly enhance the understanding of concepts. This book is best suited for inquiring general readers who possess at least a foundational interest in either music or cognitive science and are willing to engage with a blend of scholarly detail and personal reflection. It offers a solid introduction to how our brains process and react to music, providing much food for thought for those curious about this profound human experience.