ARSC 2007 Certificate of Merit winner
The first music-driven analysis of electronic dance music.
"This richly textured study provides brilliant insights into the rhythmic, metrical, and social dimensions of electronic dance music...."" —Ellie M. Hisama, Columbia University
"Unlocking the Groove is a remarkable achievement and an important contribution to the study of popular music and culture. Combining keen analysis, clear prose, and an unabashed love for electronic dance music, Mark Butler unlocks for us a rich musical world, one that has not until now received the attention it deserves. This book belongs in the hands of . . . anyone who wants to know how music sweeps us on to our feet."" —Mark Katz, author of Capturing Sound: How Technology Has Changed Music
Unlocking the Groove is a groundbreaking, award-winning, music-driven analysis of electronic dance music (EDM). Author Mark Butler interweaves traditional and non-traditional musical analysis with consideration of the genre’s history and social significance, deconstructing several typical examples of electronic dance music and focusing on the interaction of beat and rhythmic structure in creating an overall musical design. Interviews with DJs, listeners, and producers flesh out the book, providing insight into the perceptions and performance world of EDM, and making a vivid case for the musical artistry of EDM disc jockeys. The CD included with the book illustrates the analysis with multiple musical examples, both in excerpts and full songs. Butler’s work propels the study of popular music in exciting new directions, and will impact the range from popular music studies, music theory, ethnomusicology, and musicology.
Mark J. Butler is Assistant Professor of Music Theory at the University of Pennsylvania. He is recipient of the Society of American Music’s 2005 Housewright Award for his work on electronic dance music. He lives in Philadelphia.
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Distribution: World
Publication date: 2/27/2006
