# data[].attributes.body
Despite the difficulty I had understanding Ratliff's book, the book offered a modern perspective on music. The book helped me understand how a variety of musical elements are used in a variety of music. Ratliff opened the gates to critical analysis of music.

# data[].attributes.headline
"All music is powered by its search for a membership. Some music seeks as large a membership as seems feasible: perhaps not only young but under forty, perhaps not only American but English speaking, perhaps not only Mexican but pan-Latin." - Ratliff (219)

# data[].attributes.subject
"All music is powered by its search for a membership. Some music seeks as large a membership as seems feasible: perhaps not only young but under forty, perhaps not only American but English speaking, perhaps not only Mexican but pan-Latin." - Ratliff (219)

# data[].attributes.body
"Every Song Ever" does a good job of incorporating a variety of music. Ratliff helped me understand that I can enjoy music even if it is not meant for me. Even if the music is not from my time (modern), I can still listen to the music and appreciate it for the art it is.

# data[].attributes.body
The long time hip-hop influence and musical genius, Kanye West, uses his beats and voice to create a sense of "closeness". Kanye moves in and out of the song effortlessly and compliments this beat which features a sample from "Diamonds Are Forever" by Shirley Bassey. I have notices closeness in most of Kanye's early  albums.

# data[].attributes.body
My least favorite music genre is Screamo. However, after learning some musical elements in Ratliff's book I have found a new respect for music. Even music I don't like. Although Screamo is a genre that most people don't think is sad, Screamo is a type of "sad" music. I enjoyed learning about Ratliff's musical elements, because   the musical elements make engage with music more than before.

# data[].attributes.body
This is an every day song I listen to that I recently noticed uses repetition. This song uses a looped sample through the whole song.  I never noticed the repetition in this song before reading Ratliff's chapter.

# data[].attributes.headline
"We think of pieces of music from a distance as blocks of time, but can we hold more than a second or two in our minds?" - Ratliff (227)

# data[].attributes.subject
"We think of pieces of music from a distance as blocks of time, but can we hold more than a second or two in our minds?" - Ratliff (227)

# data[].attributes.body
Ratliff often asks questions in each chapter to make the reader think, which I enjoy. Although I didn't initially understand this quote, the quote makes me think. It makes me think deeply into the meaning and influence of music on me. When I think of a song in my head I can only accurately remember about 2 seconds of the song.

# data[].attributes.body
Overall, Ratliff's book was thought provoking and educational. However, Ratliff's use of language in "Every Song Ever" was inefficiently used to describe musical elements. When reading the book, at times, I found understanding some concepts to be difficult. I understand Ratliff introduced new and original musical concepts to readers, but often Ratliff jumped from one idea to the next without a proper transition. In addition, Ratliff used a lot of music jargon which most readers probably are not familiar with. Needless to say the book was interesting and the concepts Ratliff came up with were good and persuasive. My favorite concepts from this book were slowness and repetition. I also enjoyed the chapters about stubborn notes and sadness in music. Before reading the book and taking Music Appreciation, I already listened to music in abstract ways but I found it hard to deconstruct a song and analyze it for deeper meanings. After reading the book, I started listening to music in an even more critical fashion and I am now able to pick apart certain musical elements in my daily music. I found a new respect for music, specifically music I did or do not enjoy.

In this Padlet I will showcase my favorite musical concepts that Ratliff introduced me. Also, I will discuss how Ratliff expanded my understanding of music.