Description

Book Synopsis

During the 1970s, the synthesizer spurred many fundamental shifts in the mechanisms of music-making. Along with the popularization of the musical aesthetics established by both the punk and post-punk movements, the synthesizer led to ground-breaking effects and processes. Dark Waves examines the role of the synthesizer in shaping the dark and dystopian sound of electronic music in 1970s Britain and is the first collected musicological analysis of The Normal, Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire and John Foxx. Many of these acts, dark in content, presentation and manner, would go on to influence the more commercial sound of 1980s synth pop, which in turn shaped mainstream electronic music today.



Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: Background - Social and Cultural Influences

Chapter 2: The Rise of the Synthesizer in Popular Music

Chapter 3: Cabaret Voltaire and Dadaism

Chapter 4: Throbbing Gristle and Confrontation

Chapter 5: The Normal and J.G Ballard

Chapter 6: Fad Gadget and Concrete Britain

Chapter 7: Afterwards and Influences

Chapter 8: Conclusion

Notes

Bibliography

Dark Waves: The Synthesizer and the Dystopian

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Order before 4pm today for delivery by Tue 23 Dec 2025.

A Hardback by Neil O'Connor

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    View other formats and editions of Dark Waves: The Synthesizer and the Dystopian by Neil O'Connor

    Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
    Publication Date: 15/02/2023
    ISBN13: 9781538165300, 978-1538165300
    ISBN10: 1538165309

    Description

    Book Synopsis

    During the 1970s, the synthesizer spurred many fundamental shifts in the mechanisms of music-making. Along with the popularization of the musical aesthetics established by both the punk and post-punk movements, the synthesizer led to ground-breaking effects and processes. Dark Waves examines the role of the synthesizer in shaping the dark and dystopian sound of electronic music in 1970s Britain and is the first collected musicological analysis of The Normal, Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire and John Foxx. Many of these acts, dark in content, presentation and manner, would go on to influence the more commercial sound of 1980s synth pop, which in turn shaped mainstream electronic music today.



    Table of Contents

    Introduction

    Chapter 1: Background - Social and Cultural Influences

    Chapter 2: The Rise of the Synthesizer in Popular Music

    Chapter 3: Cabaret Voltaire and Dadaism

    Chapter 4: Throbbing Gristle and Confrontation

    Chapter 5: The Normal and J.G Ballard

    Chapter 6: Fad Gadget and Concrete Britain

    Chapter 7: Afterwards and Influences

    Chapter 8: Conclusion

    Notes

    Bibliography

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