Here are some obnoxiously biased opinions, fools to the fire:
1. My impression of the term "intelligent dance music" is that the music
should appeal to one's mind in addition to one's senses. That is, involve
the consciousness at all levels. Therefore, the _creation_ of the music
generally also involves the consciousness at all levels. Perhaps
"rational" (vs. sensual) or "intellectual" dance music might be better, as
it avoids the value judgement inherent. There is, after all, good dance
music not classified as idm. Such as Latin jazz.
Nonintelligent dance music simply involves the same pleasure senses that
like ice cream.
Pop music only involves that part of the mind which stores advertising
jingles for all eternity.
2. Another possible axis of the intelligent/nonintelligent dance music
divide, which breaks things down a bit differently, is the real/kitsch
factor. Intelligent music is then defined as that which expresses
something real and authentic (difficult terms in themselves to define),
while nonintelligent is comprised of rather simplistic cliches.
Zenon M. Feszczak
Philosopher ex nihilo