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Generation Ecstacy: Into the World of Techno and Rave Culture
 
 

Generation Ecstacy: Into the World of Techno and Rave Culture (Paperback)

by Simon Reynolds (Author) "To promote Kraftwerk's 1991 remixed "greatest hits" compilation The Mix, the group's American label, Elektra, came up with an amusing ad: a simulation of the..." (more)
3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 504 pages
  • Publisher: Routledge (1 Aug 1999)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0415923735
  • ISBN-13: 978-0415923736
  • Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 15.2 x 3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 386,534 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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    #43 in  Books > Music, Stage & Screen > Music > Instruments > Electronic Instruments

Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
To promote Kraftwerk's 1991 remixed "greatest hits" compilation The Mix, the group's American label, Elektra, came up with an amusing ad: a simulation of the famous one-and-only photo of blues pioneer Robert Johnson, but with his suit filled by a robot's body. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

9 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
3.8 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The finest book yet about ecstacy and the rave culture, 20 May 1999
By A Customer
Simon Reynolds writes as an enthusiast, not a critic. This is, nevertheless, the most intelligent, vivid, comprehensive book I have ever read about the ecstacy culture. I'm a fan of Reynolds' writing - I've actually read all of his works - all highly recommended. What is so special about this book is that it covers the music, the drug and the evolution of the culture with incredible energy and intimacy. I devoured the book. He is also a great writer - he writes sentences that are dense with meaning and really insightful turns of phrase - and every word demands to be read. I have recommended this book to several people and they have all enjoyed it thoroughly. Rather than saying something polite I'll just say "Big Up, geezer. Massive respect! Top stuff!!!!"

If you're interested in rave culture, if the music makes you jump - don't miss this one. It's seriously brilliant!!

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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Knowledge/fandom limits ability for critical dialogue, 1 Aug 1999
By A Customer
Having just worked my way through the UK publication of this book, alternitavely titled "Energy Flash", I must say that I have been given a decent working history of movement that has become a dominant part of youth culture over the last ten years. But as the author remains a fan (one might even say preacher for) of one particular sub genre of these varied strains of music, his analysis and interpretation often fails to deliver the goods. If Mr. Reynolds were not desperately searching for a modern day incarnation of the late 60's hippy attempt to redefine society through a common musical affinity, he might be willing to accept genres such as ambient, prog. House and the like as valid artistic fields. But since all music must satisfy his need for underground consciousness raising revolt(in this case through a culture that drops out of the mainstream completely a la expressionists of the nineteen twenties)he finds it difficult to accept a music that is merely intended to entice and provide pleasure or rediefne the way we think of musicality. The resulting rejections and arrogant denials of alternatives to the dance till you lose yourself 'ardkore ultimately remain self indulgent and tainted by his wishful myth formation. The further inability to critically question the prescribed goals of this 'ardkore also leaves a strong desire for more discussion. However this is where the text is also the most intriguing. Reynolds with his solid knowledge of the genre manages to pique interest and in my case have led to a renewed desire to search out a truly intelligent discourse on the movement and its consequences. On a final note the obsessive UK-centric approach to the music also wears thin, denying foreign countries their due until they begin to affect the UK scene.
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3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Fine stab at overview, 9 Mar 2002
I disagree with the second reviewer, although I appreciate what they mean. The topic itself is not necessarily anti-academic surely although it does benefit from the perspective of a fan, which is probably the best way to treat this subject (namechecking Baudrillard hardly helps; i might argue Baurdrillard is not "intellectual" compared to the rigour of CS Peirce?). I don't know if Reynolds does want to create a definite ideology here, or is just riffing out some messy ideas inchoate. London airwaves are, to my mind, more vital crucibles for 'dance music' than American airwaves. I hope the fact the second reviewer is from Colorado did not influence their distaste for the "UK centric" narrative.
As Richie Hawtin has observed, Europe has a more intimate relationship with techno and other 'dance' forms...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Overly dramatic, but still a decent read
I'd have to agree with the above reviewer about Reynolds' annoying pseudo-intellectual speak. This guy obviously just read Baudrillard's _Simulacra and Simulacram_ one night... Read more
Published on 24 Jun 1999

4.0 out of 5 stars highly-informative and vividly written summary of rave
Reynolds provides an highly-information, excruciatingly detailed view of the history of rave culture and techno music. Read more
Published on 4 Jan 1999

2.0 out of 5 stars Boring. Reynolds sucks the life out of an interesting topic.
Filled with annoying postmodern pseudo-english, Generation Ecstasy seems to be written by someone who desperately wants to be thought of as intelligent. Read more
Published on 27 Oct 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent. I'm glad to see the world of rave is out!
AWESOME!! ONE WORD: AWESOME!
Published on 12 Oct 1998

4.0 out of 5 stars The story of rave, without the condescension of 20/20
Simon Reynolds is a raver. He readily admits as such, right from the outset of the book. But unlike the biased, sensationalist 20/20 would have you believe of everyone in the... Read more
Published on 17 Sep 1998

4.0 out of 5 stars The first really great book about rave culture I've read
This is a really lively and provacative book about dance music that goes from its beginnings in the 80s right up to now. Read more
Published on 2 Sep 1998

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