New Wave Outpost Forum

A book by Simon Reynolds titled "Rip It Up And Start Again - Postpunk 1978-1984" was mentioned in a recent topic, but few know, the same author made a CD compilation under the same name - to promote the book?




FLAC
https://mega.nz/file/sc9EgRBB#DwGY0HlFt ... Pty6RxXoiw

Thank you,

R

I remember being repulsed by the book. The author was (is?) so smug and obnoxious in his firm-held belief that everything electronic was not only lesser to "worthy" guitar-based underground stuff but downright evil! The whole electronic wave of 1980-81 that revolutionized music as we know it was dispensed with in about two-three pages in the slightest manner possible! Hugely influential bands like Ultravox got short shrift (well, that Reynolds guy didn't hide his hatred for them on his blog, which is just as well). And his barely-hidden stance on being the most knowledgeable man about New Wave on Earth and that only what he likes constitutes "good music"... well, you simply got to keep your ambitions in check! Yeah, the book provided wealth of information - but was so opinionated and one-sided it's sometimes downright laughable or embarrassing to read nowadays. Good to know there are equally interesting (sometimes even better) books on the subject nowadays.

Nevertheless, Cabaret Voltaire (RIP Richard Kirk, who passed away this week, they say.........), The Human League and Heaven 17 are here in this compilation, which is a sufficient tribute to the synth part of the new wave...