What's that Sound?

Comprehensive Overview of "What's That Sound?" by John Covach and Andrew Flory

Key Themes:

• Musical Analysis: The book provides a deeply musical look at rock music, analyzing the structure of important songs and exploring the technical aspects of rock music, such as form, time signature, instrumentation, and other musical elements.
• Historical Context: It covers the history of rock music from its roots to the present, including various genres like rock 'n' roll, calypso, folk, teen idols, girl groups, Motown, surf, and the British Invasion up to the 1960s, and then moves to a broader analysis of popular rock acts and sounds in the 2000s.
• Social and Cultural Impact: The book also delves into the social and cultural aspects of rock music, including injustices within the music industry, such as racism and exploitation faced by black artists.

Plot Summary:

• Structure: Each chapter focuses on specific acts, labels, and movements in rock music history. The book includes listening guides to over 70 major works, providing detailed analysis of the technical aspects of these songs.
• Chronological Approach: The narrative spans from the early days of rock 'n' roll to contemporary rock music, offering a comprehensive retrospective of rock's evolution and impact.

Critical Reception:

• Positive Reviews: The book has received positive reviews for its balanced and deeply musical approach to rock history. It is praised for its comprehensive coverage of the music business, rock's visual culture, and contemporary music.
• Educational Value: It is highly recommended as a textbook for courses on rock culture, providing exhaustive details about music terms and techniques. The book has been used in educational settings to enrich students' knowledge of music icons and the context of music from the American side to the United Kingdom.
• Minor Criticisms: Some reviewers have noted minor issues such as typos and factual errors, but these are not significant enough to detract from the book's overall value and comprehensive nature.

Editions and Publication:

• The book has been published in multiple editions, with the fifth edition released in 2018 by W.W. Norton & Company.

In summary, "What's That Sound?" by John Covach and Andrew Flory offers a rich and detailed exploration of rock music's history, musical structure, and cultural impact. It is a valuable resource for both students and enthusiasts of rock music, providing a balanced and deeply musical look at the genre.