Some error occured while loading the Quick View. Please close the Quick View and try reloading the page.
An expansive and illuminating account of the development of electronic music, told with passionate enthusiasm by Matthew Collin, the critically-acclaimed author of Altered State and Rave On.
Dream Machines tracks the music’s evolution from early avant-garde experiments after World War Two through psychedelia, art-rock and synth-pop to electronic dance music, sampling and the techno era. As well as profiling the sonic futurists who pioneered new styles, it documents the scenes and underground movements that built a thrillingly diverse electronic music culture in its formative decades.
Based on interviews with key players and a wealth of in-depth research, Dream Machines explores genres as diverse as space rock, electro-pop, ambient, dub, industrial music, prog, electro, hip-hop, hi-NRG and house, highlighting how developments in electronic music were shaped by changes in society as well as technological advances.
"Matthew’s obvious love for music, insight and meticulous research reflects the passion and fervour of those involved with the evolution of electronic music. A must-read for anyone interested in the influence and benefits of technology on music." Cosey Fanni Tutti, musician and author of Re-Sisters
"A paean to all the originators and early adopters of electronic music … An incredibly rich and forensically researched history, exquisitely detailed and voiced by the many characters who comprise it." Stephen Mallinder (Cabaret Voltaire)
"A perceptive and highly entertaining breakdown of the crucial development of some of the most innovative music of my dreams. I couldn’t put it down!" Martyn Ware (Heaven 17, The Human League)
"Matthew Collin sifts through the history of electronic music with the care and thoroughness of a post-war sonic pioneer searching for a military surplus oscillator." Dave Rimmer, author of Like Punk Never Happened
"Collin delights in showing that it’s the coexistence and implementation of challenging and clashing ideas that continually break new ground and change the game. This is my kind of music and an essential book." DJ Paulette, author of Welcome to the Club
"No-stone-unturned history meticulously traces electronic music's back history, backed up by interviews with movers and shakers... [he] shows how technology - or its limitations - is transformative in the right hands, as a trail of unfancied outsiders turn mainstream game-changers" MOJO, 4****
"A precise X-ray of modern music... revealing the wires that held much of it together" The Wire
"A must-read for anyone seriously interested in the history of electronic music" Record Collector, 4****
"[A] decades-spanning story that can't help but fascinate. A shrewd, cogent study." 8/10 Classic Rock
"As a complete overview this is hard to beat." 4.5/5 Classic Pop
Matthew Collin has been writing about electronic dance music culture for over three decades. His critically-acclaimed books include Altered State and Rave On. He has written for many newspapers and magazines, including The Guardian, The Observer, The Wire, Mojo, and Mixmag.