Bobby's review
Rip It Up and Start Again: Post-Punk 1978-1984
by Simon Reynolds
Bobby's review
Rip It Up and Start Again: Post-Punk 1978-1984 by Simon Reynolds
Bobby's review
rating:
Highly readable account of the (mostly British) post-punk music scene from 78-84. He does a great job of putting the music in context of the social/political climate of the time (the backlash of punk, Thatcher and Reagan's rise to power, the return of the right wing) and exploring the different sub-sects of post-punk. From arty (Talking Heads, Gang of Four) to No Wave (Suicide, Teenage Jesus & The Jerks) to industrial (Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire) to new wave (Devo, etc) to gothic (Bauhaus, Siouxsie) to synth pop (Human League, Gary Numan). Best of all, this book proves that it's possible to write an engaging account of an entire movement of music that is entertaining as well as informative. Now, if only someone would write an account of death metal like this!
