Modeselektor's Happy Birthday!

"Modeselektor, the notorious Berlin duo consisting of Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary, released Happy Birthday! in 2007. Engaging with this album, this book provides a unique lens through which to examine current trends in European pop and electronic music history beyond standard examples of German pop and electronic music, such as Kraftwerk and Rammstein. Employing theories of popular culture and electronic music in the 2000s, especially Simon Reynolds's books Retromania and Energy Flash , Happy Birthday! argues for an updated study of electronic music and rave culture in twentieth-first century Europe, with specific focus on German studies. It further argues that international receptions of "German techno" need to remain self-critical regarding stereotypical associations of German music and culture-- associations which Modeselektor themselves critique through an engagement with multiple styles of dance music and hip-hop. 33 1/3 Global , a series related to but independent from 33 1/3, takes the format of the original series of short, music-based books and brings the focus to music throughout the world. With initial volumes focusing on Japanese and Brazilian music, the series will also include volumes on the popular music of Australia/Oceania, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and more."--