IDM Mailing Archive

1994-05-27 16:50Barry Sanders-djkc- wrote: >>From what I've heard of Jeff Mills ("Changes of Life" off Tresor II comp),

From:: Barry Sanders <bsanders@ncsa.uiuc.edu>
To:: <idm@techno.Stanford.EDU>
Date:: Fri, 27 May 94 11:50:24 CDT
Subject:: Techno Art Theory (was "Jeff Mills")

-djkc- wrote:

quoted 4 lines From what I've heard of Jeff Mills ("Changes of Life" off Tresor II comp),

>>From what I've heard of Jeff Mills ("Changes of Life" off Tresor II comp), >it's a joke. >But then some may like the hard but minimal stuff. >But this song just sounded like a kid and his toys...

IMHO, there aren't many good songs on that comp. The Jeff Mills piece is weak, but I think it is put there for a reason. I believe that much of the 'art' value of Techno (in a larger context) is its self-referential use of instruments with limited capabilities. The use of these obviously crude and unpolished bleeps and thumps *calls attention to the fact that the equipment is limited* (that's the self-referential part). There is also the irony in Techno that the musicians making it often frame wildly creative soundscapes with very ordinary, perhaps even tyrannical, 4-on-the-floor dance beats. This would seem to defeat the purpose, but it does not. The thumping bass drum physically pounds you into dancing. The repetitive melodies and rhythms induce a trance-like state in the dancers. This, in turn, leaves the mind open to the creative suggestions put forth by the anarchic soundscapes that often form the creative core of Techno music. Jeff Mill's piece "Changes of Life" may be a simplistic piece of music with little to interpret, but it does closely follow what I have theorized about Techno music having art value through its self-referential use of limited instruments. In this case, the 'Tempo' knob is being turned in an obviously unrehearsed way, with little regard for how it will affect the audience. This also calls attention to the environment in which much of Techno is created: The Bedroom/Basement Studio. These studios are isolated from the world of audiences. The musicians are untethered by the constraints of mainstream music, or even traditional music theory and history. They just put down what sounds good, and twiddle whatever knobs they like. Often the charm of it is its musical naivete and simplicity of statement. I really am trying to figure out Techno, and why I love it so much. I think Techno is important, the way that Jazz and Blues were important earlier in this century. Do I think there will be a "Rhapsody in Blue" from a Techno Gershwin? Perhaps. Barry S. "Information wants to be free! (Or for a small charge, which will be conveniently added to your monthly phone bill.)" -B. Sanders

1994-05-27 23:58Sho Kuwamotou90cmg@ecs.oxford.ac.uk writes: > My fave MIlls track is the 'stringent mix' of 'step to >

From:: Sho Kuwamoto <sho@physics.purdue.edu>
To:: intelligent dance music mailing list <idm@techno.Stanford.EDU>
Date:: Fri, 27 May 94 18:58:23 EST
Subject:: Re: Techno Art Theory (was "Jeff Mills")

u90cmg@ecs.oxford.ac.uk writes:

quoted 2 lines My fave MIlls track is the 'stringent mix' of 'step to

> My fave MIlls track is the 'stringent mix' of 'step to > enchantment' on the Millsart Mecca ep. (Axis) cant beat this.

Haven't heard this. *sigh* So many records, so little cash....

quoted 3 lines I heard a track called 'rave new world' by X-101, which sounded

> I heard a track called 'rave new world' by X-101, which sounded > rather good (despite the dodgy title) - is this Mills, and is > it still available ??

X-101 is credited to Underground Resistance, I think, and Jeff Mills was a part of UR back then. An oldie but a goodie.

quoted 4 lines or "First Flower" by The Subjects vs. Jeff

> > or "First Flower" by The Subjects vs. Jeff > > Mills. > > whats this like?

Well, *I* like it because I can stomach blistering hardcore. The track that Jeff Mills remixed is a computerized soundstorm, sounding like futuristic war machinery gone haywire. I mentioned it because the original poster seemed to feel that the Jeff Mills stuff he'd heard wasn't well put together. This track may not be IDM, but it's *extremely* well put together IMHO.

quoted 6 lines hmm is the general concensus that w. trans V.1 is a quality album?

> hmm is the general concensus that w. trans V.1 is a quality album? > i auditioned it and thought it sounded ... boring? > > I recently got the Wild Pitch remixes of berlin/latenight from this, > and unfortunately dont think too much of them either... pity, i thought > Mills vs DJ pierre would be an intersting match.

If you didn't like this album, you probably won't like WT Vol 1. I think the album versions of both tracks are on the remixes that you have. *I* love it, but I can see how others might find it boring. To each his own. Speaking of which... Does someone feel like reviewing WT Vol 2? -Sho -- sho@physics.purdue.edu <<-- finger this account to find out what I'm having for lunch! <A HREF="http://physics.purdue.edu/~sho/homepage.html">Sho Kuwamoto</A>.

Techno Art Theory (was "Jeff Mills")