Blissed Out

by Simon Reynolds

Book by Reynolds, Simon

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1990

About the author

Simon Reynolds is one of the most respected music journalists working today, and his writing is both influential and polarizing. He draws on an impressive range of knowledge, and writes with a fluid, engaging style. His books Rip it Up and Start Again and Generation Ecstasy are well-regarded works about their respective genres, and RETROMANIA may be his most broadly appealing book yet. It makes an argument about art, nostalgia, and technology that has implications for all readerswhether diehard music fans or not. Its an important and provocative look at the present and future of culture and innovation."

Reviews

[John Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read this in thirty years. It's a signed copy after I chanced upon the author in HMV. It still has faded notes that my then girlfriend scribbled in it as she was using it as a text for her degree. Reading it again its earnestness is very charming: it's like the economics of a debased currency. I miss caring about music. I miss being young. This is a wonderful, charming, serious book, as serious as only young people can be about a subject that, even then, was incredibly niche.

[Des Bladet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my curriculum as an undergraduate. Unfortunately I was studying physics; it didn't end well.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I've read about rock and roll with the exception of two other books by Simon Reynolds, 'The Sex Revolts' and 'Rip It Up and Start Again'. My jaw practically dropped when I read the article about Morrissey. I've read nearly piece of literature I can find on Morrissey, but Reynolds' piece is impeccably perceptive. The one on 'The Death of Soul' is also extremely good. Highly recommended.

[Jacob Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got off to the worst start possible with its annoying defence of Morrissey. I can't stand the whole connection between music and adolescence. Morrissey a champion of adolescence. Like no just grow up. Otherwise you'll still be spouting the same shite you did when you were a teenager. Where's the progression in that? Reynolds can be a real child when he's in that head space.

After that the book really began to grow on me. I didn't agree with Reynolds takes per say but in the same way as I can still admire Pauline Kael, I appreciate their intellectual approach to reviewing the arts and in the case of Reynolds incorporating a lot of philosophy and social critcism. Going in to the whole culture rather than an album alone. He's a great writer and I can support his expansion of critical writing and even legitimising of it.

Look, if I was still about 19 and in my post punk phase I'd have loved this. I'd have worshipped Reynolds. But here's the thing the minute he steps out of his chosen genres the guys a mess. Discarding metal as bastardisation of the blues and acid house as soulless. Oh God he even holds that view of electronic artists as technicians rather than artists. I've had that argument so many times with the indie heads at 6am at gaffs whilst coked out my barn back in the day and I'm sick of it. Is it this geek pushing that nonsense? If so fuck off.

What's the difference between a guitar and a laptop? Both are instruments. I hate this whole defensive attitude people have to the guitar. Makes people lose their heads. There's other music. Get over it. Fuck that purism. I'm not about it. Not one bit. The only thing worse than saying rock music is dead is angrily defending it to the death to say its not. It's crazy that Reynolds can be so open with his interesting models of analysis and yet so close minded with how to use them. Maybe I'll just stick to listening to this guy on the post punk where he's reliable and ignore everything outside of that.