You know I got into Electronic music in a big way in the early 90s with
the rise of 'IDM' (aphex twin, black dog, FSOL, Orb), but over the years
I've gained a real appreciation of 'real' (presumably 'stupid' by comparison)
dance music. If you really study on it, even stuff like Chicago booty
house has a unique character and a host of people working at the top of
their form. Real dance music induces real dancing, instead of the occasional
head nod and chin stroke.
Now more than ever, I think that people need to really examine the whole idea
of IDM, because a lot of stuff coming out seems pretty barren of the things
that initially drew me to the form -- emotional depth, and some sort of
rhythmic groove that compels you to move your body. And people need to
widen their horizons a little. Just listening to one style of music is
ultimately a limiting factor to your musical enjoyment. Everything we
think of as our music succeeds or fails by how well it can incorporate
and retranslate other musics. I don't think it's possible to fully understand
and appreciate Selected Ambient Works by Aphex Twin unless you know the
work of Raymond Scott and Eric Satie.
At any rate I will always rebel against people trying to delimit the
boundaries of IDM. It seems that the people who make 'this-listy' music
are able to do so because of their eclectic tastes -- they can appropriate
stuff beyond other music in the genre and make something new of it.
kent williams -- kent@avalon.net
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