IDM Mailing Archive

Adrian Cogger wrote:

quoted 1 line it seems like their output is getting less interesting every release.

> it seems like their output is getting less interesting every release.

I disagree, at least with the latest single I got from Warp. The Mike Ink remixes of Paroles is quite good.

quoted 1 line their losing their identity <><>

> their losing their identity <><>

Uh oh, I think you're trying to open Pandora's Box... I'm not sure how I feel about these statements. I disagree to a certain extent, but then again, I haven't been buying Warp releases in enough quantity lately to really make a valid estimation or defense of this argument... -- FreyGuy <Everyday is FreyDay> LAN Administrator Hansen Corporation / A Minebea Group Company "Mmm, you taste so intelligent!" - Pharcyde KevFrey@evansville.net --------- Kfrey@nyx.net

just one question.. where's Warp going to? it seems like their output is getting less interesting every release. what's their last new artist or thing they came up with? their losing their identity <><> (ps. just an opinion, maybe someone feels the same..) ~ Adrian Cogger

On Mon, 21 Oct 1996, Adrian Cogger wrote:

quoted 3 lines it seems like their output is getting less interesting every release.

> it seems like their output is getting less interesting every release. > what's their last new artist or thing they came up with? > their losing their identity <><>

Actually, I think the whole genre is losing it's identity. When Warp started out, dance music was pretty much either house or bleep. Warp also had much less serious competition as a label. So it was easier to single out the good artists and easier to sign them. Now everything's become a lot fuzzier. Which is a *good* thing, in my opinion. The music seems to have superceded the equipment (though you wouldn't know it from some of the mailing lists). Much the same thing happened to typography in the late eighties. Emigre's obviously bitmapped stuff was tres hip as it screamed "computer." Now it's largely vanished as more artists made more type in increasingly different directions. So like Emigre, Warp is now one voice among many. I still like a lot of their stuff, but it's been a while since I've thrown my allegiance to any one label. There's just too much out there (and too little money) for that. Probably the same for way for artists now. Too many labels to just rely on one. jmar! slow day at work... | J M R T N K O | fonstrosities and other toys by ILLGBLITY ENGNRING. | | D S G N E T C | JOHN-A MARTINKO, w. desk chief martinko@netcom.com |

quoted 7 lines where's Warp going to?

>where's Warp going to? > >it seems like their output is getting less interesting every release. > >what's their last new artist or thing they came up with? > >their losing their identity <><>

Yeah, I think they need to get back on track: fire Aphex and Autechre and get Kid Unknown and Lex Loofah back in their roster. I guess I'm saying that, while 'Blechsdottir' put into focus how few records Warp's put out lately that I care about, it's important to remember that they've never been a perfect label. Rather than bitch about the direction they've taken, I'd much rather see constructive discussion about how they could improve as a label - what artists they should be pursuing, perhaps (e.g. if they could sign Jeff Mills instead of, uh, Jimi Tenor *cough*), or other innovations they could be looking into (I just bought a split PFM/Q Project CD-single on Good Looking that combines two 12"s on one CD - why didn't anyone think of this before?). C. -- cspot@hyperreal.com (Chris.Hilker)

quoted 6 lines Rather than bitch about the direction they've

> Rather than bitch about the direction they've > taken, I'd much rather see constructive > discussion about how they could improve as > a label - what artists they should be pursuing, > perhaps (e.g. if they could sign Jeff > Mills instead of, uh, Jimi Tenor *cough*),

Hmm, you said "constructive discussion" ;) Of course it's a matter of opinion, if you really think Jimi Tenor's not worth of Warp's efforts, but I personally think they could've done *much worse* than to sign him: the guy has been one of the biggest names in the Finnish avantgarde for ten years, and it's interesting to see what new directions he's still going to pursue, so I really don't have anything against Jimi's being exposed to a larger international audience. Talking about Warp itself: I have liked very much the albums like Red Snapper's latest (King Crimson jazz updated for the t**p h*p generation), which have only given more diversity to the label, so I really have nothing to complain - only wish we could do something to some fanboys' attitudes ;) (just joking) peace, ekku the maintainer of pHinnWeb - everything u ever wanted to know about Finnish techno scene but were too afraid of the reindeer trerra@uta.fi | http://www.uta.fi/~trerra | http://www.sci.fi/~phinnweb ************** Techno pHist will pHucking crush Britpop! ************** ********* (except for Stereolab and some other quality acts ;) ********