My own little list:
[now with short descriptions, by popular demand :P]
2005 Top 10 IDM
* Fell - A Victim [en:peg digital]
Rich in detail, no wankery, head-bobbing goodness. Sparse,
well-used vocals. Kinda poppy & dubby without being pop or dub? MP3
release, $2 at enpeg.com
* Deceptikon - Lost Subject [merck]
Flawless instrumental hip-hop type stuff. Short samples at Merck,
and the Merck discog page for the Lost Subject EP sampler has a free
exclusive MP3 you can download - it's beautiful.
* Jimi Tenor - Beyond The Stars [kitty-yo]
Very focused funk jazz fusion thingamabob. It's alive, it's alive!
* Vesna - Snow Sences [n5md]
Refined IDM, with a distinct flavor. Dark undertones with an oakey
floor. Goes good with a nice merlot to keep you warm.
* Syndrone - Salmataxia [merck]
Now *here's* your DSP wankery, but it's oh so much more than that.
Syndrone constructs a headspace that feels like a wall of sound without
being one. Wonderful melodies buried within, some right on the surface.
* polar - light years [en:peg digital]
Ghostly, gothic atmosphere, reminds me of early Autechre,
compositionally, also Funckarma/Quench. Dark & sunny at once.
* Mr. Projectile - Sinking [merck]
Gorgeous liquid syrup sticks to the roof of your ears. My
girlfriend loves this one. Everyone should own it.
* Erast - Goodair + Minimissing [laboratory instinct]
This one's a blast, all over the map but surprisingly consistent.
My girlfriend loves the first track. I just wanted to mention her again.
* Proem - Songs 4 The City Bus [coredump]
Sounds like Proem, but he's trying some new things. I have to say
the two remixes are the best tracks, though. Ends on an ambient-ish note.
* Deru - Trying To Remember [merck]
Clean, glistening layers of effortless IDM. Reminds me slightly of
L'usine, but more free-flowing than L'usine's exacting science.
2005 Runners-Up IDM
* Lackluster - Remixselection One [psychonavigation]
nice remixes, all over the map, playful & melodic.
* Bola - Gnayse [skam]
Similar to Fyuti, but a drier, more sinister edge.
* phaeon - concept pillow [en:peg digital]
Utterly digital, reminds me of Fizzarum & Funckarma. Essential
beats & clicks stutter and foam to lovely conclusions.
* Ratatat - Ratatat [xl]
Guitar. Baroque guitar. Baroque electric guitar.
* Global Goon - Family Glue
Laugh!
2005 Best Non-IDM
* Scissor Sisters - Scissor Sisters
Prog-disco in drag.
* Air - Talkie Walkie
French disco pop.
* Modest Mouse - Good News For People Who Love Bad News
early 90s "alternative" didn't die, it just got better.
* The Arcade Fire - Funeral
majestic indie!
Older Stuff I Didn't Like Before
But Fell In Love With In 2004:
* Black Dog (everything up to 'adverts')
* Funckarma/Quench
* Saint Etienne
-Adam Piontek
damek.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org
For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org
For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org