IDM Mailing Archive

From the n5MD label comes the two compilations MD1 and MD2. Here are the tracklistings and my reviews: MD1: spark - eopi arovane - levd/a:ctrel precenphix - redleaves o2 - 0002 lilienthal - sucrosesand ml - drg/n/drp rivel - de-gress vcam - dirwhildagmer eu - tsutu neutral - recoil The first release from the n5MD label sounds pretty strong, and most of the tracks are pretty good. It's definitely an enjoyable listen, although not entirely groundbreaking. I can't help but thinking that a compilation like this could've blown me away 4 years ago, but many of the sounds and progressions are pretty standard now. Most of the tracks fall into the "crunchy percussion, pretty melody" category, with some nice variations (actual drum sounds in idm!). As compilations go, it's pretty solid, and since each track is supposedly unique to the release, it's nice that the tracks work together so well. A pleasant release if you're looking for more of this type of sound, or are big fans of the included artists. MD2: cenik - oepsch lusine icl - don't interfere lexaunculpt - the conversation gone awry tim koch - poly800vs.6581 jvox - cadona eaven - jethom proem - laid back off quench - nurture spark - array endorphins - epilogue funckarma - nn vcam - bild/gelm The second release from the n5MD label follows in the consistency of the first release, and this compilation is actually stronger, as far as compilations go. None of the tracks are amazingly stand-out, but most of the contributions fit well and sound good. MD2 doesn't sound as "pretty" as MD1, but it's more consistent. I still don't see what the big deal is about lexaunculpt, but then I remember the large number of "video game" fans on the list. My only gripe is that many of the songs on both compilations are "playing with their cards face up," meaning that most of the tricks used in the songs are pretty standard for most of what qualifies as IDM, and even stuff that doesn't qualify as IDM. Perhaps I'm just becoming more familiar with the music making process used by most of the current crop of idm artists, but it certainly takes some of the magic out. Still, these two releases are pretty good - better than your average compilation. cheers, /derek ------- eggytoast.com ------- now on the interweb --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

eggytoast wrote:

quoted 3 lines None of the tracks are amazingly stand-out, but most of

>None of the tracks are amazingly stand-out, but most of >the contributions fit well and sound good. MD2 doesn't sound >as "pretty" >as MD1, but it's more consistent

man....the Thug track is amazing as well as the Jvox and Proem tracks....i been listenen to these 3 songs everyday since I got my copy in the mail.....to each his own i guess... erik _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

quoted 3 lines My only gripe is that many of the songs on both compilations are "playing

> My only gripe is that many of the songs on both compilations are "playing > with their cards face up," meaning that most of the tricks used in the > songs are pretty standard for most of what qualifies as IDM, and even

stuff

quoted 1 line that doesn't qualify as IDM. Perhaps I'm just becoming more familiar

> that doesn't qualify as IDM. Perhaps I'm just becoming more familiar

with

quoted 3 lines the music making process used by most of the current crop of idm artists,

> the music making process used by most of the current crop of idm artists, > but it certainly takes some of the magic out. Still, these two releases > are pretty good - better than your average compilation.

Not to completely lame-out by responding to myself, but I think that's a key part to it - much of the idm and newer artists that have cropped up in recent times use "tricks" instead of just writing good songs. There's granular tricks, synthesis tricks, tempo tricks (oh gawd tempo tricks), start/stop loop tricks... where's the composition? It's like there's 2 sides - the sides that want to make interesting music that's fun, and the other side that wants to make music to intentionally mess with the listener/crowd. I will say that I can listen to one side all day, while the other gets kind of grating after an hour or so. I won't say which side is which, though :D cheers, /derek --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

On 12 Jul 2001, Navigator D wrote:

quoted 5 lines eggytoast wrote:

> > eggytoast wrote: > > >None of the tracks are amazingly stand-out, but most of > >the contributions fit well and sound good. MD2 doesn't sound >as

"pretty"

quoted 3 lines as MD1, but it's more consistent

> >as MD1, but it's more consistent > > man....the Thug track is amazing as well as the Jvox and Proem

tracks....i

quoted 2 lines been listenen to these 3 songs everyday since I got my copy in the

> been listenen to these 3 songs everyday since I got my copy in the > mail.....to each his own i guess...

It's probably the way I listen to compilations. One of the things that really got me into IDM looong ago was that the albums were consistently strong - you could put 2 or 3 on in a row and enjoy the whole stretch. So I'm into listening to it as a complete piece. I'll check out those tracks again, for my own sake, but as a whole (and not paying attention to track numbers/names while listening to it), they don't really scream (to me) "We're the good tracks! Listen to us!!!" They blend :D cheers, /derek --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

EggyToast <youn0394@umn.edu> wrote:

quoted 3 lines I can't help but thinking that a compilation like

> I can't help but thinking that a compilation like > this could've blown me away 4 years ago, but many of the sounds and > progressions are pretty standard now.

Yeah, but keep in mind that many of these tracks are "rare and unreleased" - not exactly album material perhaps, but good compilation material :)

quoted 3 lines I still don't see what the big deal is

> I still don't see what the big deal is > about lexaunculpt, but then I remember the large number of "video game" > fans on the list.

I thought the lexaunculpt track on md2 was the worst track on the whole compilation. I've heard much better from lexaunculpt like the tracks on the 'bliss tech' and 'cashier escape route' comps.

quoted 7 lines My only gripe is that many of the songs on both compilations are "playing

> My only gripe is that many of the songs on both compilations are "playing > with their cards face up," meaning that most of the tricks used in the > songs are pretty standard for most of what qualifies as IDM, and even stuff > that doesn't qualify as IDM. Perhaps I'm just becoming more familiar with > the music making process used by most of the current crop of idm artists, > but it certainly takes some of the magic out. Still, these two releases > are pretty good - better than your average compilation.

for me, md1 introduced me to many great "unsigned" acts that i'd never heard before. since hearing md1, I've bought at least one release by every artist featured on the comp. That's a lot of really good music that I probably wouldn't have been exposed to otherwise. anyway, two great comps. from n5md. can't wait for the proem minidisc. synctank np: funckarma - solid state - hey cadoo - when can we expect an o2 album?) --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

On Thu, 12 Jul 2001, synctank wrote:

quoted 6 lines I still don't see what the big deal is

> > I still don't see what the big deal is > > about lexaunculpt, but then I remember the large number of "video game" > > fans on the list. > > I thought the lexaunculpt track on md2 was the worst track on the whole compilation. I've heard much > better from lexaunculpt like the tracks on the 'bliss tech' and 'cashier escape route' comps.

what track of his is on the comp? and whats it sound like.. curious :) --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

quoted 1 line Just because something is not on an album but on a compilation, does not

> Just because something is not on an album but on a compilation, does not

imply that is of lesser

quoted 1 line value.

> value.

I couldn't agree more. some of my all-time favorite cds are compilations. I didn't mean to generalize. synctank --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org