Hello.
This is my first posting to the list. A bit odd, seeing as I've been
into IDM for at least 6 years or so. Anyway, I thought I'd better
introduce myself and let you know where my main IDM interests lie.
I think my first 'proper' introduction to techno was with 808
State's 'Pacific State' (and, subsequently, the '90' album). Having
spent most of my life not really caring much for electronic music,
this track certainly made me sit up and listen. Around the mid-
to-late 1980s I started listening to Pet Shop Boys and Jean Michel
Jarre. My Italian house phase started soon after.
Just as I was starting to get bored with the whole scene, along came
808 State's '90' and totally blew me away. A mate had lent me his
copy -- I kept it for about 10 months before finally giving it back
and buying my own. I then systematically began buying all the 808
State vinyl I could lay my hands on (managing to nab 'Quadrastate'
and 'Newbuild'). I then branched out a bit, taking on board
S'Express and Bomb the Bass. William Orbit/Bassomatic, the Orb and
Orbital followed soon after and nature took its course from there
on.
Nowadays, my musical tastes are all over the shop. I love anything,
but I'd say that at least 60% of my purchases are IDM-related. For
the record, here's my list of favourite albums of 1996. I've listed
non-IDM stuff just to give you an idea of my tastes. If you want a
follow-up discussion on any of these, then it's best to email me
privately rather than waste list space. Anyway, here they are:
Top 5 Techno Albums
1. Orbital - 'In Sides'
Orbital have always been one of my favourites. I was keen to see how
they'd surpass 'Snivilisation' and I wasn't disappointed. 'The Box'
dithers a bit, but the rest of the tracks are brilliant, especially
'Dwr Budr' and 'Somewhere Out There?'.
2. Spooky - 'Found Sound'
A lot more sinister than it first appears to be. It's difficult to
get into at first, because it sounds *completely* different to
'Gargantuan', but once your head starts conjuring up all these
bizarre images to go with the sounds (the 'Found Sound Video
Project' helps), there's no turning back.
3. 808 State - 'Don Solaris'
An excellent return to form after the disappointing 'Gorgeous'.
Everything feels nicely organic and chaotic again. Like 'ex:el',
there's ooddles of variety on offer and 808 State prove that they
can handle just about every type of track imaginable. It's also worth
getting hold of the 'Azura' CD to here the 'Goa' track.
My 808 State wish list: collaborations with Lida Husik, Claudia
Brucken, Beck, 3D (Massive Attack), Nut, Tanya Donelly and Liz
Fraser.
4. FSOL - 'Dead Cities'
A worthy sequel to 'Lifeforms', but with more techno moments and
less reliance on wibbly wobbly ambience. I've got a feeling this is
the last we'll hear of FSOL in their current guise (with the
exception of a possible 'ISDN 2'). I suspect they'll change direction
and go under a new name for the next album.
5. Lamb - 'Lamb'
If you liked 'Azura', then 'Lamb' is a must. In fact, the whole
album has a very 808 State-ish feel to it, especially 'Lusty', the
opening track. A lot of people (clueless music journos) have been
describing this album as drum & bass, which is a load of old bollocks
-- only a few tracks come close. Elsewhere, everything's different --
if you heard 'Transfattyacid' on the radio, you'd think it was
Portishead's new single.
Top 5 Indie/Guitar Albums
1. Nut - 'Fantanicity'
No surprises here. 11 perfect indie-pop tunes, each one of them
worthy of a single release. Bizarre lyrics at every turn and loads of
neat production twists. Nearly impossible to pick out a favourite
track, but 'Bluegenes' is a wonderful finale, with the music all
Cocteau Twins-style ambience and Nut singing about sunsets, fire and
ice.
2. Scheer - 'Infliction'
When they're gritty, they're grittier than Pearl Jam. When they're
fluffy, they're fluffier than the Cranberries. Brilliant guitar
work, gorgeous vocals and not a single fast-forward moment in sight.
3. Frente - 'Shape'
I love the variety on offer here. The whole feel and style of the
album shifts with each and every track. One minute they sound like
Salad, the next it's Fairground Attraction and then Mazzy Star. But
the album still never feels derivative -- it's still Frente.
4. Catatonia - 'Way Beyond Blue'
The bloke writes the songs, the bird sings them and Stephen Street
produces. If only the Cranberries had stuck to this arrangement,
then 'To the Faithful Departed' would have sounded as good as this.
Great songs, great music, good fun.
5. Mazzy Star - 'Among My Swan'
One of those albums that forces your emotions to walk the
tight-rope, with the risk of falling into either depression or
elation. If one of these tracks doesn't appear in the 'Lost Highway'
soundtrack, I'll be surprised. On the first listen, all the tracks
sound the same, but you soon notice all the subtle changes in mood
the more time you spend with it.
Top 5 Other Stuff
1. DJ Shadow - 'Endtroducing'
The best trip-hop album to date and I can't see us getting anything
better, unless Bomb the Bass do an 'Enter the Dragon II'. Worth it
just for the 'Chameleon' track alone.
2. Sneaker Pimps - 'Becoming X'
Easily the best debut of the year. Difficult to classify, but I
think 'indie-hop' is the best I can come up with. Some of their more
'obvious' tracks will appear on compilation albums alongside Tricky,
Moloko and Portishead, but there's plenty of treats lurking on
'Becoming X' that put them a million miles away from the Bristol
scene, giving them their own unique sound.
3. Lida Husik - 'Green Blue Fire'
The three Husik collaborations are the only tracks I listen to on
Beaumont Hannant's 'Sculptured'. Not long ago I was sitting there,
thinking, "Why doesn't she release a solo album?" Lo and behold, I
discover there's three of them (although one of them's deleted). The
album is excellent, in places. It slows down a bit when things start
getting a bit System 7-ish, but it's worth snapping up the album just
for 'The Bird', 'Bad Head Day', 'All Hands on Deck' and 'Soul of
Gold'. Oh, Beaumont Hannant produced it all.
4. Clannad - 'Lore'
Although they're only going to be remembered for the 'Robin of
Sherwood' soundtrack, they've continued to release some good quality
albums since then. Clannad seem to operate in three modes:
traditional, contemporary and soundtrack. Whereas many of their
previous albums have only been in one (or perhaps two) of those
modes, 'Lore' encompasses all three. There's plenty of soundtrack
fodder, a few catchy numbers with the potential for a single release
and lots of folky Gaellic numbers. Very slick. Also comes with a
bonus 'Themes & Dreams' CD, containing 6 of their tracks that have
turned up in various films.
5. Vangelis - 'Voices'
Looks like Vangelis is trying to get out of his Warners contract,
seeing as he released 3 albums this year. This was the first and best
of the lot. The opening track sounds a bit too similar to the main
'1492' theme, but the rest is excellent stuff. Best tracks are 'Come
to Me' and 'Ask the Mountains', featuring gorgeous female vocals.
Even the Paul Young collaboration isn't as bad as you think it's
going to be.
.+'''+. mark@sonance.demon.co.uk
M A R K
http://www.netlink.co.uk/users/sonance/
`+.,.+'
http://www.sonance.demon.co.uk/