matt_bitonti 's review for:

Generation Ecstasy: Into the World of Techno and Rave Culture by Simon Reynolds

5.0

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When this book was originally published, the reader could nod along and be impressed by author's selection of songs (flip directly to the discography, it's all classics). The reader could be transported by the author's lush and uncannily accurate descriptions of the tracks. But the reader probably couldn't hear the music in real time to verify how accurate these descriptions are, or if the song was to their personal taste. Simon Reynolds can convey in words how great, for example, Green Velvet's "Flash" Remixes were. But when this book came out there was no way to experience it, on demand, as the reader makes their way through the book. Sure, a person in theory could go to a record store but these were often low pressings and inventory was spotty. Many of these all time tracks were snapped up quickly and not repressed for years. It's a totally different experience to read this book and hear the songs in real time, I guess that's my point. It's a guidebook to early EDM: the roots of house, techno, breakbeats, everything. Check it out if you can find a copy. I rescued my copy in a used bookstore in Rhode Island.