quoted 2 lines No more boring than reading review after review of idm/ambient
> No more boring than reading review after review of idm/ambient
> material that declare how "dark" or "deep" something is.
Now, wait a minute here, Chris! Those are my two favorite
descriptive words you're beating up on there! I would argue that both
of those words have definite, useful meanings, even if there are those
of us on the ambient and idm lists that use them overmuch.
"Dark" music is exactly that: gloomy, brooding, maybe even a
little menacing, and generally Gothic (in the classical,
architecturally overwrought sense). Dark music has an edge; it's not
safe; it has little rough edges that give listeners those little
adrenaline kicks that cause full-on body rushes. Lagowski, some
Autechre, quite a bit of the Aphex Twin's older stuff, and most
everything on Sabrettes is dark music.
"Deep" is a little harder to define, but it's still
possible. To me, a deep track is one that goes all the way --
repetition, loopiness, slow permutation, minimalism -- all of these
are qualities that make something sound deep. Deep music will lull you
into a trance, soothe you when you're stressed, and generally take
over your brain with its own rhythms and textures. Paragons of
deepness include Orbital, Underworld, and just about everyone on
Metroplex.
The combination can be devastating. If you want to see both in
action, I point you no farther than the inimitable Basic Channel
posse. Or maybe Lustmord, if you're approaching things from the
ambient side of the coin. There is music that will spook you out and
put you to sleep at the same time.
Granted, these terms may be a little vague, but they
definitely are useful. If something's dark it's not likely going to be
commercial wailing-diva house, and if it's deep it's not likely to be
disposable "rave" music.
do we have an understanding?
ozy
ozymandias G desiderata
personal info :
http://www.mbc.umt.edu/ogd/
discographies :
http://www.mbc.umt.edu/ogd/aaxz/discogs
Missoula raves:
http://www.mbc.umt.edu/ogd/aaxz/raves/