Gary
Mind. Body. Light. Sound.
Posted by: Gary Floyd March 29, 2009 08:54 pm
It's time we got more in touch with the world of Electronic music-and I mean all kinds. Everything from early material (Eno's Ambient Work, Cluster, Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream, etc) to the 80's-90's (Aphex Twin, Coil, Cabaret Voltaire, Underworld, etc) to today (Justice, Prefuse 73, Kid 606, The Field, etc.) So, let's get started.
Posted by: Bananarama - Cruel Summer March 29, 2009 09:32 pm
The Field! I really liked Sound of Light. For those who don't remember me talking about it, it's the soundtrack to some high-concept hotel lobby in Sweden which plays these ambient tracks for morning, day, evening, and night.
http://www.nordiclighthotel.se/en
It's the kind of thing that does a really good job of setting a mood, but it's hard to listen to it in any sort of heavy rotation without it getting very annoying. Even all 15 minutes of each phase can grate. "Morning" is the best one, and I've put it on during early morning jogs, but it's definitely not for active or high-volume listening. Passive/low. "Night" is pretty cool, too. Feels like a pastiche of the house/eurodance music of my childhood.
My favorite volume of the Ambient Eno series is 2, which is the one with Harold Budd on piano and Eno only mildly tinkering with it in production. Easily the most musically rooted of the four, with 1 being full of loops, 4 full of drones, and 3 full of abject crap. It does its job of being quality passive listening without getting too cute or wrapped up in Frippertronics and analog synths and stuff. I mean, it's there, of course, but it's almost more in the spirit of Satie than Eno. I'm always down for discussing Brian Eno. I'm trying to get Barron to check out Another Green World and others so he'll come around on Passengers, or at least get where it's coming from.
My big Kraftwerk phase was the spring of 2006 and I'm probably not returning to that level of Kraftwerk saturation, though I still enjoy The Man Machine and Trans-Europe Express now and then. Isn't it a shame that Ralf and Florian have disavowed any connection with the first three albums? They're not electronic per se and not completely germane to this thread, but I always felt "Kristallo" was one of their coolest songs.
Posted by: snuffbox March 29, 2009 09:35 pm
I'm a fan of Underworld, Boards of Canada, Dieselboy, and Daft Punk.
Posted by: Gary Floyd March 29, 2009 10:38 pm
QUOTE (snuffbox @ March 29, 2009 06:35 pm)
I'm a fan of Underworld, Boards of Canada, Dieselboy, and Daft Punk.
Ah, Underworld-"Dubnobasswithmyheadman" and "Second Toughest to the Infants" are great, and "Beaucoup Fish" is underrated.
Boards of Canada-I love their first album, though I always found their second to be a bit overrated.
Dieselboy-Haven't heard much of him.
Daft Punk-I enjoy the first album. Everything else is kinda "meh" to me.
Apparently, Aphex Twin is suppossed to release an album this year.
Posted by: Bananarama - Cruel Summer March 29, 2009 10:50 pm
Is the second BoC Geogaddi? I didn't like that one at all. The problem with Music Has The Right To Children is that it's such a landmark genre-defining/band-defining album. Anything that's spacey and has "childlike warmth," whatever that's defined to be, is measured against Music Has The Right To Children, whether it's another Boards of Canada album or something some guy made on his laptop. So you're listening to Geogaddi and you're just like "well, this doesn't have the same childlike warmth at all!" or "oh crap, more childlike warmth!" or something. It's unsequelable. I haven't heard anything else from them, but I'm sticking with my stance that the sequence of "Turquoise Hexagon Sun" through "Pete Standing Alone," peaking with "Roygbiv," is so phenomenal that they'll never be able to top it.
Back to ambient. Gary, did you hear an album called Black Sea by a guy called Fennesz? It got really high praise on the 2008 year-end lists, higher than I'd expect for an ambient outing, but I never felt it was thaaaat much better than some of the recent stuff from BJ Nilsen or Jasper TX, where it's dark and drone-y and sometimes you get blasts of unpleasantness. One thing I will say for it is that it has some really cool photography on the cover:
Big points in the "looks how it sounds" department.
Posted by: Gary Floyd March 29, 2009 10:55 pm
Fennsesz is pretty damn good. I haven't heard "Black Sea" yet (don't bother to PM a link to me BTW), though that's on my to do list.
I'm really enjoying Basic Channel right now. I remember when I saw Radiohead last summer, they played them in between sets.
Posted by: YPOV March 30, 2009 01:34 am
Well most of the electronic music I like is well past the 90s, so I guess it's a little different than what the TS had in mind, but I'll throw some of it in here anyway:
Armin Van Buuren
One of my favourite DJ's around right now. I'm going to see him spin in about a month and I can't wait. He has lots of great trance tracks but I really like his State of Trance music show. It's just two hours of solid international electro.
This is my favourite from his latest album: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GsityRQgiw
Name of the song is In and Out of Love. I love the way it creeps up in the beginning. Pretty good vocals too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiUYyabNRco
This is a remix of Burned With Desire. Really chilled out version of the original which is fairly fast-paced, I prefer this one.
I've been listening to a lot of compilations recently, like the In Search of Sunrise stuff, Music for Balearic people, etc. It's too bad Kotz isn't around, he'd probably dig what I'm listening to a lot, and would be able to share some of his stuff too.
Posted by: Corey_Lazarus March 30, 2009 12:58 pm
Time for a plug of a band I know...
Check out http://www.myspace.com/pregnantwithworms, which is the industrial project that my band's other guitarist and his cousin do. Mostly his cousin, but the majority of the guitar parts are done by my band's other guitarist. Felt like throwing down a cheap plug.
Posted by: Zorin Industries March 30, 2009 01:07 pm
I'm going through a real early 80's synth and electro kick at the moment, unfortunately cash flow problems are stopping me from really splashing out at the moment. Finally bought Red Mecca though, which I now love unconditionally.
Posted by: BobSpaghetti March 30, 2009 02:03 pm
QUOTE (YPOV @ March 29, 2009 10:34 pm)
Well most of the electronic music I like is well past the 90s, so I guess it's a little different than what the TS had in mind, but I'll throw some of it in here anyway:
Armin Van Buuren
One of my favourite DJ's around right now. I'm going to see him spin in about a month and I can't wait. He has lots of great trance tracks but I really like his State of Trance music show. It's just two hours of solid international electro.
This is my favourite from his latest album: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GsityRQgiw
Name of the song is In and Out of Love. I love the way it creeps up in the beginning. Pretty good vocals too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiUYyabNRco
This is a remix of Burned With Desire. Really chilled out version of the original which is fairly fast-paced, I prefer this one.
I've been listening to a lot of compilations recently, like the In Search of Sunrise stuff, Music for Balearic people, etc. It's too bad Kotz isn't around, he'd probably dig what I'm listening to a lot, and would be able to share some of his stuff too.
Armin is good, but every time I've seen him live he's essentially spinned a collection of a "Trance Top 40" of sorts. If you want to see a really good show, check out Markus Schulz. He is an amazing DJ.
Posted by: Bananarama - Cruel Summer March 30, 2009 02:38 pm
QUOTE (Zorin Industries @ March 30, 2009 01:07 pm)
I'm going through a real early 80's synth and electro kick at the moment, unfortunately cash flow problems are stopping me from really splashing out at the moment. Finally bought Red Mecca though, which I now love unconditionally.
Red Mecca is good, but I prefer The Crackdown. Unfortunately, those are the only two CabVol albums I have. What else does your kick comprise? OMD? Depeche Mode?
I've heard of Armin, but I don't think I'm really into trance.
Posted by: Gary Floyd March 30, 2009 03:05 pm
QUOTE (Bananarama - Cruel Summer @ March 30, 2009 11:38 am)
QUOTE (Zorin Industries @ March 30, 2009 01:07 pm)
I'm going through a real early 80's synth and electro kick at the moment, unfortunately cash flow problems are stopping me from really splashing out at the moment. Finally bought Red Mecca though, which I now love unconditionally.
Red Mecca is good, but I prefer The Crackdown. Unfortunately, those are the only two CabVol albums I have. What else does your kick comprise? OMD? Depeche Mode?
I've heard of Armin, but I don't think I'm really into trance.
I'd go with 2 X 45 next, as that's a pretty solid album. If you want more of their earlier material, The Living Legends compilation might be up your alley.
Posted by: special k March 31, 2009 12:30 am
Would you count LCD Soundsystem? Sound of Silver is one of the best albums I've heard in years.
My favorite electronic group for quite a while was Orbital, mostly based off genius albums Snivilization and In Sides. Both are brilliantly dense albums. Great drug music. They also did the song Halcyon, or as you may know it the opening theme to Hackers! Also the sountrack to Event Horizon.
Posted by: BobSpaghetti March 31, 2009 12:24 pm
Anybody a fan of Gabber?
Posted by: Byron T. Bulb March 31, 2009 12:29 pm
QUOTE (Zorin Industries @ March 30, 2009 06:07 pm)
I'm going through a real early 80's synth and electro kick at the moment, unfortunately cash flow problems are stopping me from really splashing out at the moment. Finally bought Red Mecca though, which I now love unconditionally.
Check http://mutant-sounds.blogspot.com/2007/02/strung-this-is-futurelp1982netherlands.html out, if you get a chance. It's all kinds of awesome.
Posted by: Zorin Industries March 31, 2009 03:17 pm
Ta, give it a proper look soon.
I'm really digging a song out of the 1st Toxic Avenger movie of all places. Bodybuilder by Delmar Brown, its playing in the scene of Wanda and Slug having sex and just before Toxie kills the drug dealer in the gym.
Great slice of early 80's synth pop, but i'll be damned if I can find an MP3 of it anywhere!
Posted by: Gary Floyd March 31, 2009 03:51 pm
QUOTE (special k @ March 30, 2009 09:30 pm)
My favorite electronic group for quite a while was Orbital, mostly based off genius albums Snivilization and In Sides. Both are brilliantly dense albums. Great drug music. They also did the song Halcyon, or as you may know it the opening theme to Hackers! Also the sountrack to Event Horizon.
Orbital! I love their second album, that's just some really solid techno. I can't believe I forgot to mention them. Oh, and let's not forget Future Sound of London-Lifeforms is a fucking classic, and Dead Cities is underrated.
Carl Craig and his various projects (69, Paperclip People, Innerzone Orchesta, Psyche/BFC) are worth a listen, especially More Songs About Food and Revolutionary Art. Some quick examples:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWAc_b0mjWY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB_F0XmhcJA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEBavNl4t7A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mInY6_o6PCE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBBHiC11NEw&feature=related
Posted by: devo March 31, 2009 04:42 pm
My experience with the genre is limited but I do enjoy all kinds of House. Fantastic Plastic Machine gets regular rotation on my MP3 player in addition to whatever Disco singles I thought to download when I decided that I needed some.
Posted by: pbone March 31, 2009 07:33 pm
Let's see.
Caribou/Manitoba, Daft Punk, Empire of the Sun, Holy Fuck, Hot Chip, LCDSs, Mahjongg, The Notwist, Four Tet, Boards of Canada, Cut Copy, Team Sleep, [[VVRSSNN]], White Rainbow, Why?, Tobacco, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Subtle, Xiu Xiu, and Studio are my faves. Studio tops the list, though. Sea & Cake are good too, but that's more rock oriented. Oh, and sBACH.
Posted by: YPOV April 01, 2009 08:04 pm
QUOTE (BobSpaghetti @ March 30, 2009 11:03 am)
Armin is good, but every time I've seen him live he's essentially spinned a collection of a "Trance Top 40" of sorts. If you want to see a really good show, check out Markus Schulz. He is an amazing DJ.
Thanks for the heads up, Markus Schulz is actually playing at the same event, so I will definitely give him a look.
Posted by: FLAM April 01, 2009 09:53 pm
I like Kraftwerk a good amount. Listening to Autobahn on my 2 hour commute to school is very relaxing.
I really like Justice as well. I've missed the chance to see them a few times which really sucks.
I've been listening to a lot of Cut Copy and Digitalism recently as well.
Posted by: YPOV April 01, 2009 10:03 pm
I saw Justice live two years ago, I wasn't that impressed honestly. I'm not much of a fan in the first place, I think they're more a product of hipster hype than anything else. For something similar but more superior in my opinion is the Bloody Beetroots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvNTrvJorbs
The track is BUTTer. One of my favourites. Some people say it actually sounds very similar to Waters Of Nazareth, but I don't like that song so much while I really like this one, so I don't know.
Posted by: Bananarama - Cruel Summer April 02, 2009 04:46 am
QUOTE (Gary Floyd @ March 30, 2009 03:05 pm)
I'd go with 2 X 45 next, as that's a pretty solid album.
Listening right now. I like this a lot so far (halfway through). Reminds me a little of the early Kraftwerk but colder and edgier. The Turkish stuff on the second track is cool, and reminds me a little of that Onur Ozer album (I think that was the artist) I was talking about last year. You ever check that one out? It's really interesting to hear Anatolian-tinged techno maybe once or twice before you don't really want to listen to it again.
Posted by: Agent of Oblivion April 02, 2009 08:40 am
Einsturzende Neubauten
Your thoughts?
Posted by: Gary Floyd April 02, 2009 01:34 pm
I don't know if I'd classify it as "Electronic", but it's great stuff.
Posted by: Zorin Industries April 02, 2009 01:52 pm
QUOTE (Bananarama - Cruel Summer @ April 02, 2009 01:46 am)
QUOTE (Gary Floyd @ March 30, 2009 03:05 pm)
I'd go with 2 X 45 next, as that's a pretty solid album.
Listening right now. I like this a lot so far (halfway through). Reminds me a little of the early Kraftwerk but colder and edgier. The Turkish stuff on the second track is cool, and reminds me a little of that Onur Ozer album (I think that was the artist) I was talking about last year. You ever check that one out? It's really interesting to hear Anatolian-tinged techno maybe once or twice before you don't really want to listen to it again.
Yashar I take it you mean, one of my favorite CV tracks, if not in my top ten of any artist, love the tinny drumming effects in there
