Rip it Up and Start Again summary

Exploring the Post-Punk Movement

In Rip It Up and Start Again, Simon Reynolds takes us on a journey through the post-punk era, a time when the music scene was redefined by bands that rejected the excesses of the 1970s rock and roll culture. Reynolds explores the roots of this movement, tracing it back to the early 1970s, where the seeds of post-punk were sown in the experimental sounds of bands like Can, Kraftwerk, and Neu!.

He then delves into the explosion of creativity that marked the late 1970s, as a new generation of musicians, disillusioned with the mainstream, took to the stage. These artists, including Joy Division, The Fall, and Public Image Ltd., combined punk's raw energy with a more sophisticated, experimental approach to music. Reynolds argues that their music was a reaction against the simplistic, three-chord formula of punk, and a search for new ways to express the disillusionment and alienation of the times.

Politics, Art, and Music

Reynolds also examines the impact of post-punk on the wider culture. He discusses the movement's political and social consciousness, as seen in the music of bands like Gang of Four, who combined Marxist critique with a danceable, funk-influenced sound. The author emphasizes the importance of the independent record labels and fanzines that sprung up during this period, which provided a platform for the new, avant-garde music that was being created.

In addition to the music itself, Reynolds looks at the visual art and fashion that accompanied the post-punk movement. He discusses the influence of Dadaism and Surrealism on the album covers and stage performances of bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, and the DIY ethos that inspired musicians to create their own distinctive looks and sounds.

The New Wave and Synth-Pop

In the second half of Rip It Up and Start Again, Reynolds explores the evolution of post-punk into new wave and synth-pop. He discusses the impact of bands like Devo and Talking Heads, who incorporated elements of electronic music into their sound, and the role of the synthesizer in shaping the music of this era.

The author also looks at the influence of post-punk on the mainstream, as bands like U2 and Duran Duran began to incorporate its experimental and artistic elements into more commercial, accessible music. Despite this, Reynolds argues that the spirit of post-punk continued to influence alternative music throughout the 1980s and beyond.

Legacy and Conclusion

In conclusion, Rip It Up and Start Again is a comprehensive exploration of a pivotal moment in music history. Reynolds argues that the post-punk movement was not just a reaction to punk, but a radical reimagining of what popular music could be. He emphasizes the movement's lasting impact on music, fashion, and culture, and its role in shaping the alternative music scene that followed.

The book ends with a reflection on the enduring influence of post-punk. Reynolds suggests that the movement's spirit of experimentation, individualism, and resistance to the mainstream continues to inspire musicians and fans today. In this way, he argues, the legacy of post-punk lives on, challenging and reshaping popular music in new and unexpected ways.