Modulations: A History of Electronic Music: Throbbing Words on Sound

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 264 pages
• Published by: D.A.P./Caipirinha September 2, 2000
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 189102406X
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1891024061
• Book Dimensions: 8.3 x 8.2 x 1 inches
• Weighs: 1.8 pounds

From Library Journal
In this expansive History of electronic music, Shapiro (The Rough Guide to Drum 'n' Bass) chronicles the creative moment of generating sound through sampling, mixing, and manipulation. Written by musicians and aficionados, the articles assembled here form a fascinating account of innovators from John Cage to Miles Davis, thoroughly exploring this sprawling genre and its musical offshoots. Densely packed and meticulously detailed, the book makes some startling geographic and stylistic leaps in an effort to trace the comprehensive History of electronic music. Through interviews, vivid pictures, and crisp commentary, it illustrates how electronic music is now at work in the majority of today's musical styles. This work, a tie-in to Iara Lee's 1998 film of the same name, explores in greater detail some of the same ground covered in J.M. Kelly's The Rough Guide to Techno Music (2000). An essential tool for anyone interested in this music, whether mildly or deeply.DCaroline Dadas, Univ. of Illinois, Urbana
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Mixer, November 2000
“Modulations” is a comprehensive and interesting view of electronic music from the 1900s to the present.

Reader Reviews
Modulations is a nice little book with some interesting info and plenty of pictures. It claims to be "a history of electronic music", but it's really more of a small-scale coffee-table book. The presentation is colorful and catchy, although it's got a bit more style than substance. If you're looking for something scholarly, this is not it. It IS, however, a fun introduction and may even expose you to some new composers and artists. It's broken down by style covering Pioneerings, Krautrock, Disco, Post Punk, House, Hip-Hop, Techno, Jungle, Ambient, and Downtempo, in that order. Those chapter headings will give you an idea of where the editor is coming from. I don't think it's at all accurate to label Kraftwerk as "Krautrock", but this book isn't really about detailed history or critique. At the prices it's selling for on the Marketplace, I'd say it's worth it, just to flip through every now and then. I would also say that $20 is the cutoff point where its cost exceeds its value. It's cool, but not *that* cool. Take advantage of Amazon's online reader. If it looks interesting, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Moderately recommended. Comment | Permalink | (Report this)