IDM Mailing Archive

{Your change is .02} I am quite surprised by some of the things that I have read today concerning Autechre's "rigid" and "unemotional" music. I think both of these accusations are a bit hasty, although people are entitled to their own opinion, of course. Concerning the emotional state of Autechre's music, I think it's purpose is neither to manufacture emotions nor to surpress them. Instead, I think that it's purpose is more to leave ones emotional palate clear and to then provide a stimulus that lets one be their own master of emotion... For someone to try and criticize the music of Autechre for being unemotional is like criticising an anti-depressant pill for not making one happy. The purpose is not to make one happy, but to let the person have more control over their own emotions, and that's what Autechre does for me - something that I have found no where else in the vast world of idm music. The moral of the story is that Autechre is my anti-depressant pill! Umm... yeah! I have been listening to TriRepetae++ about 2 times a day since having purchased it last week. It still is blowing my mind... beautiful beautiful stuff... (eutow, and stud, and of course, GarbageMX36) gor

Although the emotional bit is really subjective, I don't think that Autechre are overrated in the slightest. Very few artists are able to create a totally unique sonic palette like they have, and employ it to the maximum. And they always have great (brittle?) polyrhythms that manage to surprise me every time I listen to them, e.g. rsdio - one of the most insane beats I've ever laid ears on. In terms of providing me with a quality sonic experience, Autechre is #1 on my list. If I had to compare them to anything else, I'd say that their work is like a collection of hand-painted metal soldiers (the kinds you paint with a toothpick) that someone has rendered in exquisite detail. GD