Everyone's music collection is based around 'phases'. Reynolds just
does
an excellent job capturing his phases in print. Don't diss because he
went
through some phases that you didn't.
I don't have anything against phasing of techno. I'll just diss then
cause I think it's a wack book. It's a visceral reaction. You've
done a good job at citing the reasons why you like the book, fair
enough. However I think any writer that capitulates this much on
opinions, trends, phases, THIS micro-genre is better than THAT
micro-genre [at this millisecond in time], etc. (that's what music
journo's do, i admit, and it's usually more out of their desire to
generate more ink than a true proper look at something for what it is)
just killed his earnestness and credibility for me.
I think it comes down to a vibe if you like all the ranting and
spouting and style of Reynolds. To me just sounds like B.S. through
the lens of e-colored glasses... like the guy in the chill-out room you
wish would just shut-up and finally just pass out. ;) I don't
recommend the book other than a way to react to his half-witted
blatherings and form an opinion of your own. I guess that's what good
books do, force you to react to an opinion, but not in the way this
one does?
That said I haven't tried to write a book on techno, so I still can't
blame him for trying. Respect is certainly due for that. But this is
a book for people who want to get back in touch with their Inner
Raver... or see what other parts of the rave scene they missed out,
it's a book about drugs connection with the music... it's a book as
much or more focused on drugs than the music. In fact little all that
critically valuable on the actual music IMHO, other than some
interesting details here and there on tracks but lacks any real
perspective. Obviously you connected with Reynolds, I don't.
Wasn't it Reynolds who called Maurizio-type music "heroin house" in The
Wire? It's almost like for Reynolds the music CANNOT EXIST without a
drug reference to compliment it. That's just such a crutch! (for the
record: I am not anti-drug, i'm more anti-idiocy than anything.)
Hey, if you like it you like it. :) I just wanted to point out some
of the reasons it chafed me personally... your mileage may vary. If
you want to read all about drug subculture with music as the secondary
backdrop, you may love it, I didn't. If you're looking for something
meaningful about techno music, I recommend you look elsewhere.
peace,
Matt MacQueen
