Buying Options
Kindle Price: | $20.89 |
includes tax, if applicable |

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle Cloud Reader.
Using your mobile phone camera, scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Electric Wizards: A Tapestry of Heavy Music, 1968 to the Present Kindle Edition
by
JR Moores
(Author)
Format: Kindle Edition
JR Moores (Author) Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author |
It began with The Beatles’ ‘Helter Skelter’. It was distilled to its dark essence by Black Sabbath. And it has flourished into a vibrant modern underground, epitomized by Newcastle’s Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs. This is the evolution of heavy music, and Electric Wizards is your sonic gazetteer.
The voyage is as varied as it is illuminating: from the lysergic blunt trauma of Blue Cheer to the locked grooves of Funkadelic, the aural frightmares of Faust to the tectonic crush of Sleep, alighting on post-punk, industrial, grunge, stoner rock and numerous other genres along the way.
Ranging from household names to obscure cult heroes and heroines, Electric Wizards demonstrates how each successive phase of heavy music was forged by what came before, outlining a rich and eclectic lineage that extends far beyond the usual boundaries of heavy rock or heavy metal. It extols those who did things differently, who introduced something fresh and exciting into this elemental tradition, whether by design, accident or sheer chance. In doing so, Electric Wizards weaves an entirely new tapestry of heavy music.
The voyage is as varied as it is illuminating: from the lysergic blunt trauma of Blue Cheer to the locked grooves of Funkadelic, the aural frightmares of Faust to the tectonic crush of Sleep, alighting on post-punk, industrial, grunge, stoner rock and numerous other genres along the way.
Ranging from household names to obscure cult heroes and heroines, Electric Wizards demonstrates how each successive phase of heavy music was forged by what came before, outlining a rich and eclectic lineage that extends far beyond the usual boundaries of heavy rock or heavy metal. It extols those who did things differently, who introduced something fresh and exciting into this elemental tradition, whether by design, accident or sheer chance. In doing so, Electric Wizards weaves an entirely new tapestry of heavy music.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherReaktion Books
- Publication date13 September 2021
- File size4112 KB
Product description
Review
"As a compendium of leap-off points, Electric Wizards is a mind-riot... Heavy music has deserved its own tome but the only thing heavy about his book is its weight--its tone and style are illuminatingly light and wonderfully convivial throughout. Someone get Electric Wizards on the national music curriculum now."-- "Wire"
"An enthrallingly funny read, and one that's hard to put down despite its girth."-- "Record Collector"
"A depth-charge exploration to the bloodied heart of heavy. Essential, energetic writing--Moores is the netherworld guide we always needed."--Harry Sword, author of Monolithic Undertow: In Search of Sonic Oblivion
"Moores covers a rich landscape of sounds. . . . What's more, he achieves a rare feat in rock criticism of saying something fresh and interesting about the Beatles."--Dan Franklin, author of HEAVY: How Metal Changes the Way We See the World
"The landscape of heavy music is vast, its existence is ever evolving. There is no better person to explore its dynamic terrain than Moores."--Matt Baty, member of Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs
"Simultaneously hilarious, provocative, and sensitive; wildly entertaining while always getting to the heart of the matter. . . . Just take my goddamned bitcoin already."--John Doran, cofounder and editor of the Quietus
"This book will open a wormhole in your brain."--Joe Thompson, cofounder of the band Hey Colossus --This text refers to the hardcover edition.
"An enthrallingly funny read, and one that's hard to put down despite its girth."-- "Record Collector"
"A depth-charge exploration to the bloodied heart of heavy. Essential, energetic writing--Moores is the netherworld guide we always needed."--Harry Sword, author of Monolithic Undertow: In Search of Sonic Oblivion
"Moores covers a rich landscape of sounds. . . . What's more, he achieves a rare feat in rock criticism of saying something fresh and interesting about the Beatles."--Dan Franklin, author of HEAVY: How Metal Changes the Way We See the World
"The landscape of heavy music is vast, its existence is ever evolving. There is no better person to explore its dynamic terrain than Moores."--Matt Baty, member of Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs
"Simultaneously hilarious, provocative, and sensitive; wildly entertaining while always getting to the heart of the matter. . . . Just take my goddamned bitcoin already."--John Doran, cofounder and editor of the Quietus
"This book will open a wormhole in your brain."--Joe Thompson, cofounder of the band Hey Colossus --This text refers to the hardcover edition.
About the Author
JR Moores is the resident psych-rock columnist for both the Quietus and Record Collector, and his work has also appeared in the Wire, Guardian, Bandcamp Daily, and Vice. --This text refers to the hardcover edition.
Product details
- ASIN : B09BRH623F
- Publisher : Reaktion Books (13 September 2021)
- Language : English
- File size : 4112 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 417 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: 183,404 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

JR Moores is resident psych-rock columnist for both The Quietus and Record Collector, and his work has also appeared in The Wire, The Guardian, Bandcamp Daily and Vice.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Customer reviews
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
41 global ratings
How are ratings calculated?
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Top reviews from other countries

S. Gorman
1.0 out of 5 stars
Absolute nonsense
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 October 2021Verified Purchase
Neatly sidesteps having to have any knowledge of music or writing ability by getting the exceedingly well worn and trite "heaviness is objective" spiel in as early as possible. Just about as misinformed and lazy as a music writer could get. Continues with a statement that "very nearly" negates the influence and achievements of every stream of jazz,blues, rock & roll, classical music and every other genre pre 1961 in favour of the man who wrote The Frog Chorus. Riddled with mistakes, omissions and line after line of over trodden tedium, there is barely an original thought or statement in nearly 450 pages. I would heartily recommend avoiding this book as strenuously as is possible. Get everything said here the same way this author did - just skim through a few hundred Google search results and read the first line. If you are tempted, pop down to my local Oxfam where I deposited my copy within two days of receipt.
25 people found this helpful
Report abuse

Helps
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Absolutely Lovely Little Shuffle Though Music's Space and Time
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 October 2021Verified Purchase
Let's get one thing out of the way before I get onto the good. I would have loved some sort of summing up of the bands and why the writer thought they were heavy. He has such a nice relaxed, yet engaging, prose style that I would have loved some 'Heaviness' little asides to each of the parts and bands he talks about. You know to keep the thread of the book, to act as little breathers. But maybe I'm too literal ...
... because the way JR shoots through a history of heavy guitar based music is super lovely. He keeps it all jogging on nicely. His love of music is there for all to see. And the pacing never lets the beat drop and there are enough great stories and bands that I might have sidelined at the time to pique my interest. I had completely forgotten about Tad. Why?
It's like a perfect mix tape of thoughts, stories and through-lines. I'm half way through but it's a nice little trip down memory lane and reaffirmation of everything I love about music.
And he's right about Mclusky and Future of the Left, they're the UK's most underrated 'heavy' band. But was disappointed that the crazy London outfit Sheep on Drugs wasn't mentioned in the Industrial Rock section. Maybe he'll go have a listen whilst I'm listening to Tad.
I guess there's only so much you can fit on a C90.
... because the way JR shoots through a history of heavy guitar based music is super lovely. He keeps it all jogging on nicely. His love of music is there for all to see. And the pacing never lets the beat drop and there are enough great stories and bands that I might have sidelined at the time to pique my interest. I had completely forgotten about Tad. Why?
It's like a perfect mix tape of thoughts, stories and through-lines. I'm half way through but it's a nice little trip down memory lane and reaffirmation of everything I love about music.
And he's right about Mclusky and Future of the Left, they're the UK's most underrated 'heavy' band. But was disappointed that the crazy London outfit Sheep on Drugs wasn't mentioned in the Industrial Rock section. Maybe he'll go have a listen whilst I'm listening to Tad.
I guess there's only so much you can fit on a C90.


Helps
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 October 2021
... because the way JR shoots through a history of heavy guitar based music is super lovely. He keeps it all jogging on nicely. His love of music is there for all to see. And the pacing never lets the beat drop and there are enough great stories and bands that I might have sidelined at the time to pique my interest. I had completely forgotten about Tad. Why?
It's like a perfect mix tape of thoughts, stories and through-lines. I'm half way through but it's a nice little trip down memory lane and reaffirmation of everything I love about music.
And he's right about Mclusky and Future of the Left, they're the UK's most underrated 'heavy' band. But was disappointed that the crazy London outfit Sheep on Drugs wasn't mentioned in the Industrial Rock section. Maybe he'll go have a listen whilst I'm listening to Tad.
I guess there's only so much you can fit on a C90.
Images in this review

10 people found this helpful
Report abuse

A C L
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bloody marvellous!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 October 2021Verified Purchase
Brilliant book written by an great music writer. Highly recommended
10 people found this helpful
Report abuse

Mr D Trent
5.0 out of 5 stars
This morning
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 December 2021Verified Purchase
My child said to me this morning 'What was that?'
I had played Cake of Light by Pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs as loud as my speaker would go while I brushed my teeth and had a shower. My wife had left early for Pilates and my son has been late to his Psychology a level class by up to half an hour on at least 20 occasions.
I had just read the part of the book about pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs. I forget about them often. We saw them at green man once, we turned up at the stage to hear them say 'thanks a lot green man'
I said to him 'Its cake of light by pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs, it's a song about Aleister Crawley who was a very satanic whitchlike magical man going on great British bake off but I couldn't make out the lyrics, did you like it?'
He said he did at first but then it went on for six minutes and I should never ever do that again. My wife had gone to Pilates so she had no opinion although I am certain that she wouldn't have enjoyed the experience in any way.
My son was still 7 minutes late to college this morning.
This book is excellent for reminding me about bands I read about when I was too young to have the disposable income to be able to hear them in a time before Spotify.
Pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs don't qualify in this respect but all the Albini related stuff does. And the Melvins.
I like it. I have reccomended it to my friends. Just don't expect it to get your son to school on time.
I had played Cake of Light by Pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs as loud as my speaker would go while I brushed my teeth and had a shower. My wife had left early for Pilates and my son has been late to his Psychology a level class by up to half an hour on at least 20 occasions.
I had just read the part of the book about pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs. I forget about them often. We saw them at green man once, we turned up at the stage to hear them say 'thanks a lot green man'
I said to him 'Its cake of light by pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs, it's a song about Aleister Crawley who was a very satanic whitchlike magical man going on great British bake off but I couldn't make out the lyrics, did you like it?'
He said he did at first but then it went on for six minutes and I should never ever do that again. My wife had gone to Pilates so she had no opinion although I am certain that she wouldn't have enjoyed the experience in any way.
My son was still 7 minutes late to college this morning.
This book is excellent for reminding me about bands I read about when I was too young to have the disposable income to be able to hear them in a time before Spotify.
Pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs pigs don't qualify in this respect but all the Albini related stuff does. And the Melvins.
I like it. I have reccomended it to my friends. Just don't expect it to get your son to school on time.
2 people found this helpful
Report abuse

melissa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Birthday present
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 February 2022Verified Purchase
Brought this for my Dad for his birthday and he loves it