From Simon Reynolds, the author of the bestselling post-punk
history Rip It Up and Start Again, comes Totally Wired:
Postpunk Interviews and Overviews, a formidable companion
book of conversations.
Simon Reynolds is the author of Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture; Blissed Out: The Raptures of Rock; The Sex Revolts: Gender, Rebellions and Rock and Roll; Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978-1984 and most recently, Bring the Noise: Twenty Years of Hip Hop and Hip Rock.
The worth of this collection of interviews with various postpunk, or no wave, musicians isn't in whom Reynolds (Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978-1984) talked to; it's in how he talked to them. He drives his questions into the creative ids of 16 artists ranging from Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh to the Talking Heads' David Byrne to deliver frank perspectives on musical genesis and art's role in society. Through his informed, evocative interview technique, Reynolds coaxes Alan Vega of the obscure noise rock band Suicide to declare his group might be "one of the most influential bands" ever. And he allows the infamous punk rock contrarian Lydia Lunch to admit she enjoys some of the music she had previously condemned. Reynolds also includes a few essays on postpunk issues, but these pale in comparison to the interviews, which can make you pay attention to musicians you previously never cared about. Verdict Reynolds's ability to find familiar entry points into obscure identities and music makes this a book for any reader of music criticism.-Robert Morast, Fargo, ND (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
 |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
