IDM Mailing Archive

I went out on Sat/Sun and spent a packet on: JDJ - Coldcut Locus - Truth Is Born... Fila Brazilia - Maim That Tune LFO - Advance Octagon Man - The Exciting World Of... No reviews, they've all been discussed, BUT - 1. On the BDP track on JDJ, one of the rappers mentions a "Magic Mike" as being part of BDP. Could this be the Magic Mike someone was asking about a while back? 2. I thought the Octagon Man was supposed to be electro? Is it it just me, or is that far-removed from everyone's idea of electro? I have never heard Drexciya, by the way. 3. Is Locust everyone's cup of tea? It sounds a bit too weird for my taste. Cheers, Rob.

quoted 2 lines 2. I thought the Octagon Man was supposed to be electro? Is it it just

>2. I thought the Octagon Man was supposed to be electro? Is it it just >me, or is that far-removed from everyone's idea of electro?

It's not just you. I have no idea why people are calling Octagon Man an electro project, based on the LP. Maybe the singles are different. Of course, considering just how wretched some of the electro revival is (like the uninspired and tedious Elecktroids LP), perhaps it's better that way. C. -- cspot@hyperreal.com (Chris.Hilker) "what kind of music is that? is it some kind of joke?"

On Tue, 6 Feb 1996, Chris.Hilker wrote:

quoted 8 lines 2. I thought the Octagon Man was supposed to be electro? Is it it just

> >2. I thought the Octagon Man was supposed to be electro? Is it it just > >me, or is that far-removed from everyone's idea of electro? > > It's not just you. I have no idea why people are calling Octagon Man an > electro project, based on the LP. Maybe the singles are different. Of > course, considering just how wretched some of the electro revival is (like > the uninspired and tedious Elecktroids LP), perhaps it's better that way. >

The track tunx drum beat could be considered electro. The general approach is pretty exploratory -- some more or less conventional techno-ey stuff (but catchy) overlaid with a thick goo of weird noise. I like this very very much, much better than depth charge actually, which seemed like kind of aimless novelty sample fest. Give me a groove any day. And that EML on the cover -- it's all over the record. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Personally, I love nothing more than to jam out to a greasy groove. -- A Guy Named Phillip Kent Williams kent@inav.net (319) 338 6053 (home) (319) 626 6700 x 219 (work) (319) 626 3489 (fax)

quoted 4 lines It's not just you. I have no idea why people are calling Octagon Man an

> It's not just you. I have no idea why people are calling Octagon Man an > electro project, based on the LP. Maybe the singles are different. Of > course, considering just how wretched some of the electro revival is (like > the uninspired and tedious Elecktroids LP), perhaps it's better that way.

If I could just interject for a moment...I lived through "american electro-boogie:the breakdancing years", and this shit coming out lately has nothing to do with electro, it's too watered down. Early 80's electro consisted of BOOOMbastic 808's, mad computer game rhythms, and spacey melodies. Where the hell are these elements in this revival? Drexciya and UR exemplify this style. 'bass camp 808' or 'the final frontier' are excellent examples. That's why I can't wait to hear this Elektroids LP...Hell, I cracked many a rib trying to pop to 'soul sonic force', and 'buffalo boys'!!! I'd think I should know a little about electro!!! Derek

On Tue, 6 Feb 1996, Derek Jordan wrote:

quoted 16 lines It's not just you. I have no idea why people are calling Octagon Man an

> > It's not just you. I have no idea why people are calling Octagon Man an > > electro project, based on the LP. Maybe the singles are different. Of > > course, considering just how wretched some of the electro revival is (like > > the uninspired and tedious Elecktroids LP), perhaps it's better that way. > > If I could just interject for a moment...I lived through "american > electro-boogie:the breakdancing years", and this shit coming out lately > has nothing to do with electro, it's too watered down. Early 80's > electro consisted of BOOOMbastic 808's, mad computer game rhythms, > and spacey melodies. Where the hell are these elements in this revival? > Drexciya and UR exemplify this style. 'bass camp 808' or 'the final > frontier' are excellent examples. That's why I can't wait to hear this > Elektroids LP...Hell, I cracked many a rib trying to pop to 'soul sonic > force', and 'buffalo boys'!!! I'd think I should know a little about > electro!!! > Derek

That's it:) I heard the Jedi Knights' remix of Antacid, and I thought "why did people give up on vocoders?" ^^^ To me, that is electro. Compilations brought to the masses courtesy of Streetsounds. Jake Slazenger wasn't too bad, he kept the funk. And I'm not saying "Octagon Man" is a bad album, I like it. It's just not electro. Rob.

quoted 2 lines That's it:) I heard the Jedi Knights' remix of Antacid, and I thought

> That's it:) I heard the Jedi Knights' remix of Antacid, and I thought > "why did people give up on vocoders?"

I don't know, but i'm sure looking for one at the moment. Too many people say my voice is too "melodic"....Yuk! Perhaps this stuff should be called "British Electro"? I don't remember a british eletro tune ever coming across my hifi in '82... Not that you folks aren't doing a good job at trying... Derek

On Tue, 6 Feb 1996, Derek Jordan wrote:

quoted 9 lines That's it:) I heard the Jedi Knights' remix of Antacid, and I thought

> > That's it:) I heard the Jedi Knights' remix of Antacid, and I thought > > "why did people give up on vocoders?" > > I don't know, but i'm sure looking for one at the moment. Too many > people say my voice is too "melodic"....Yuk! Perhaps this stuff should > be called "British Electro"? I don't remember a british eletro tune ever > coming across my hifi in '82... Not that you folks aren't doing a good > job at trying... > Derek

Ah, but after "Crucial Electro" came "UK Electro" - although "Crucial" was better - Al-Naafiysh, Electric Kingdom, etc. Rob.

quoted 7 lines I went out on Sat/Sun and spent a packet on:

> I went out on Sat/Sun and spent a packet on: > > JDJ - Coldcut > Locust - Truth Is Born... > Fila Brazilia - Maim That Tune > LFO - Advance > Octagon Man - The Exciting World Of...

[...]

quoted 1 line 3. Is Locust everyone's cup of tea? It sounds a bit too weird for my taste.

> 3. Is Locust everyone's cup of tea? It sounds a bit too weird for my taste.

Well, Locust is certainly *my* cup of tea (and Helen's, etc.). I suspect that being a Former Industrialist With A Clue[tm] helps a great deal in this regard. Van Hoen's work is infused with an Industrial sensibility, as is to some extent Autechre's (I've finally gotten a tape copy of "Tri Repetae", and my pico review is "The record Richard James could have made if he'd stop pissing about". Positively post-Aphexian and brilliant.). Then again, I've spent most of my adulthood searching out that which would be considered "weird" by some/most, it's usually where the most challenging music lives. (And a lot of the dross, too; weirdness for weirdness' sake doesn't usually work.) Somebody who approaches IDM from, say, a House background would undoubtedly think quite a bit differently of the likes of Locust. (That's not to say you're a former House fiend Rob, just an e.g.) - Greg

On Tue, 6 Feb 1996, Greg Earle wrote:

quoted 14 lines 3. Is Locust everyone's cup of tea? It sounds a bit too weird for my taste.

> > 3. Is Locust everyone's cup of tea? It sounds a bit too weird for my taste. > > Well, Locust is certainly *my* cup of tea (and Helen's, etc.). > > I suspect that being a Former Industrialist With A Clue[tm] helps a great > deal in this regard. Van Hoen's work is infused with an Industrial > sensibility, > Then again, I've spent most of my adulthood searching out that which would be > considered "weird" by some/most, it's usually where the most challenging music > lives. Somebody who approaches IDM from, say, a House background > would undoubtedly think quite a bit differently of the likes of Locust. > (That's not to say you're a former House fiend Rob, just an e.g.) > > - Greg

Yeah, it did sound quite industrial, I suppose, but my first reaction (after "ooh, that ambient bit's quite nice - but those drums mess it up) was "ah - dub!". I just don't know. Rob.

Hi Greg! etcu> Well, Locust is certainly *my* cup of tea (and Helen's, etcu> etc.). Your memory's working pretty well :-) Mark van Hoen definitely is my favourite IDM artist. If I could take 3 albums with me to the next world, I'd certainly take Weathered Well. For completeness the other two would be Selected Ambient Works II (Aphex who else?) and A Collection of Short Stories (Reload). I can't really fathom why his music has such an attraction on me. The earthly sounds, feeling nature's forces ... The dark mysterious deepness ... I wonder if he'll ever make a record I won't love. His music holds so much feeling. Amazing. Have you managed to see one of his performances yet? The way he combines music and visuals ... truly, a must see. What do you make of his collaboration (Aurobindo - named after that Indian philosopher?) with Daren Seymour of Seefeel? ... It scares the pants of me. Have you heard the work he's done with Annie Williams? And the outstanding Autocreation 'Mettle' with Kevin Hector and Tara Patterson? (I'm running out of superlatives) etcu> I suspect that being a Former Industrialist With A Clue[tm] etcu> helps a great deal in this regard. Van Hoen's work is etcu> infused with an Industrial sensibility, as is to some extent etcu> Autechre's (I've finally gotten a tape copy of "Tri etcu> Repetae", and my pico review is "The record Richard James etcu> could have made if he'd stop pissing about". Positively etcu> post-Aphexian and brilliant.). (A friend of mine would kill you for making that comparison) Mind you, I'm firmly of the opinion that Aphex is not pissing about, he's one of a kind. I'm always looking forward to what he comes up with next. Honest, I've not been disappointed yet ... Well, maybe that remix he did for the Gentle People. Only yesterday I gave SAW 85-92 another close listening ... faxcinating, how his music always sounds different, everytime I hear it. etcu> Then again, I've spent most of my adulthood searching out etcu> that which would be considered "weird" by some/most, it's etcu> usually where the most challenging music lives. My 'old' friends actually believe that I've gone stark ravin' mad ... (they're right ofcourse) On the turntable: Wagon Christ 'Throbbing Pouch' doei! Helen

Rob Thorley wrote:

quoted 1 line 3. Is Locust everyone's cup of tea? It sounds a bit too weird for my taste.

> 3. Is Locust everyone's cup of tea? It sounds a bit too weird for my taste.

Yeah, what are they like? I've heard a bit about them but was kind of wondering what kinds of timbres/textures they use as well as their rhythms. Do they sound remotely like anyone else or perhaps a cross between several artists? GD

quoted 12 lines Rob Thorley wrote:

> > Rob Thorley wrote: > > > 3. Is Locust everyone's cup of tea? It sounds a bit too weird for my taste. > > Yeah, what are they like? I've heard a bit about them but was kind > of wondering what kinds of timbres/textures they use as well as their > rhythms. Do they sound remotely like anyone else or perhaps a cross > between several artists? > > GD >

I'd heard reveiws that they were _extremely_ dark ambient, and dense. Just that description is enough for me to want to get it, and I haven't even heard anything by them, but been looking for about a year and a half. Hint--anybody selling any Locust stuff, mail me. Steve lammers@tc.msu.edu

!!! Mail forwarded by idm-owner, fluid@hyperreal.com !!! !!! Original message and sender below !!! ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 6 Feb 1996 10:13:49 -0800 From: "Jon Drukman" <blunted@bud.com> To: idm@hyperreal.com Subject: Re: (idm) Questions About New Buys

quoted 3 lines 2. I thought the Octagon Man was supposed to be electro? Is it it just

> 2. I thought the Octagon Man was supposed to be electro? Is it it just > me, or is that far-removed from everyone's idea of electro? I have > never heard Drexciya, by the way.

i haven't heard the full LP but i do have the 12" for "klunk" and it is quite definitely electro (with a little miami bass influence on "chasing the dragon's tail" perhaps). -j-

At 23:43 06/02/96 -0500, Steven T Lammers wrote:

quoted 8 lines Rob Thorley wrote:

>> >> Rob Thorley wrote: >> >> > 3. Is Locust everyone's cup of tea? It sounds a bit too weird for my taste. >> >I'd heard reveiws that they were _extremely_ dark ambient, and dense. Just >that description is enough for me to want to get it, and I haven't even heard >anything by them, but been looking for about a year and a half.

I used to have _Weathered Well_, Mark Van Hoen's first LP on Apollo and whilst I found it impressive, I rarely used to listen to it because it was just so dark and cold. _Songs About Love_ or something has this mad distuned *paranoid* melody looping over it and it used to really unsettle me. What a wuss eh? Listen to it though and you'll understand as there are no lighter shades on it. It's just despair sandwiched neatly between doom and gloom. Impressive but so hard to listen to. IMO, of course. || [CiM] || s.walley@uea.ac.uk || http://www.sys.uea.ac.uk/~u9323899/

At 06:12 PM 2/6/96 -0700, Derek Jordan wrote:

quoted 17 lines It's not just you. I have no idea why people are calling Octagon Man an

>> It's not just you. I have no idea why people are calling Octagon Man an >> electro project, based on the LP. Maybe the singles are different. Of >> course, considering just how wretched some of the electro revival is (like >> the uninspired and tedious Elecktroids LP), perhaps it's better that way. > >If I could just interject for a moment...I lived through "american >electro-boogie:the breakdancing years", and this shit coming out lately >has nothing to do with electro, it's too watered down. Early 80's >electro consisted of BOOOMbastic 808's, mad computer game rhythms, >and >spacey melodies. Where the hell are these elements in this revival? >Drexciya and UR exemplify this style. 'bass camp 808' or 'the final >frontier' are excellent examples. That's why I can't wait to hear this >Elektroids LP...Hell, I cracked many a rib trying to pop to 'soul sonic >force', and 'buffalo boys'!!! I'd think I should know a little about >electro!!! >

Hi! I've got the Elektroids on CD but I'm not at all impressed. Killhertz was much better and hard imo. The CD got couple of good tracks trying to follow/tribute Kraftwerk's work. If you want the CD, tell me. snow snowjob@actcom.co.il The Morpheus Equation: Start + Middle + End = Sand