IDM Mailing Archive

quoted 6 lines because they are completely valid. Bands like Crispy Ambulance, Section 25

>> because they are completely valid. Bands like Crispy Ambulance, Section 25 >> and ACR had their own sound, however similar it was to Joy Division it was >> still an interesting take on the whole thing, In many respects I find >> ACR's Too Each... a far better record than Unknown Pleasures. And at this > > I agree, "Too Each..." is far more musically interesting.

*gag* *splutter* *choke* *Pepsi spew* <pissing contest> Feh ... I thought "To Each..." was weak compared to ACR's really radical early material like the "The Graveyard and The Ballroom" cassette or "Shack Up" or the 12"'s like "Do The Du" and "Blown Away" ... and certainly not in a league with "Unknown Pleasures" or "Closer" ... IMHO of course, given that those are my other 2 of my top 3 albums of all time, I'll defend them vigorously ... Not like I agree with this 100%, but the "Trouser Press Record Guide" said " The studied tedium of ``To Each...'' however, nullified the early promise, as the band buried itself in dreary rhythms and astonishing self-indulgence. Leader Simon Topping - he of the free-form trumpet that stamped songs like ``The Fox'' (here on a subdued re-make from ``Do The Du'') - evidently believed that A Certain Ratio would fill the gap left by Joy Division. Unfortunately, while Joy Division was at least lyrical in its despair, A Certain Ratio is merely monotonous." Ouch :-) </pissing contest> The thing about "To Each..." is that ACR went to New Jersey to record it in the same studio New Order used to record a bunch of stuff in 1981 for "Movement" ("We've found a dead cheap studio - $55/hour!" - Rob Gretton). Between that and also using Martin Hannett, they were bound to suffer in comparison ... Oh, and about those Gang of Four Rykodisc issues - werd. I think it's interesting how movements/sub-genres tend to have 1-2 year "golden periods". Punk from 1976-1977, Post-Punk from 1979-1980, IDM from 1993-1994. Discuss :D ObIDM: Um, Funkstoerung live in Miami during WMC, with Andrea Parker DJ'ing along with Stacey Pullen, DJ SS w/ MC Warren G. and Stakka & Skynet ... all at one party! woot!@!@! So who's coming? :-) - Greg

On Sun, 14 Feb 1999, Greg Earle wrote:

quoted 6 lines I agree, "Too Each..." is far more musically interesting.

> > > > I agree, "Too Each..." is far more musically interesting. > > *gag* *splutter* *choke* *Pepsi spew* > > <pissing contest>

<unzip> zzzztt... Well, I'll point out *why* I think "Too Each..." is more musically interesting: it is the first time they released their extended latin-percussion instrumental jams. Similar to mid-80's Biting Tongues (who later became 808 State via Graham Massey - IDM content), ACR were actually fusing some more distant musical influences (not just NY electro like New Order, much as I love that stuff) and were most interesting around the time of "Knife Slits Water" (named after Roman Polanski thriller no doubt). I've got Graveyard & The Ballroom and it is definitely Joy Division-like and less intersting for it, imo, though the "hits" of course are good (Fox, Choir, All Night Party). I played acoustic drums alot when I listenned to this stuff, so I hope that gives you an idea where I'm coming from in saying JD was "less musically interesting".. I mean, I could sit down and figure out those songs (I even have Synares ;-) ) in a couple listenings, whereas "Winter Hill" (ACR) and "Knife Slits Water" have intrigued me for years... and heavily influenced my drum programming.. "To Each his own.." eh? Solenoid