I’ve been a fan of electronic music for many years, but had no idea there were so many genres in this style of music. I was first turned on to this style back in 1998, with the release of Crystal Method’s Vegas, which was released in 1997. I was hopelessly addicted to High Roller from that album, and still to this day consider it to be one of my favorite tracks. The Crystal Method is what I consider the most fundamental, early standard-bearers of the Electronic DJ Culture. Their driving beats blended with synthesizers along with sample arrangements are perfectly placed and provide an amazing layered soundscape.
ELECTRONIC – PRODUCER/DJ CULTURE: The Crystal Method – Trip Like I Do
Another favorite electronic Big Beat duo from the UK is full of layered samples from popular culture, perfectly arranged, is The Propellerheads, and their 1998 release Decksanddrumsandrockandroll. They had a great crossover hit “History Repeating” featuring the legendary Shirley Bassey, who contributed samples (Strong). The Propellerheads fused Big Beat with Jazz on this track. Their use of technology in blending an “old” style of music with synthesizers is why I chose this track for the Nineties category. The nineties seemed to be when crossover styles were most accepted, in my opinion.
Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. pp. 778–779. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
NINETIES: Propellerheads – History Repeating
I was immersed in New Wave while I was in the US Air Force, stationed in the UK from 1986 to 1989. While I was there, New Wave was really all anyone listened to. It was the prime of my young adulthood, clubbing every weekend and staying up ’till the sun-up, drunkenly running the streets looking for Doner Kebap trucks and trying to stay away from bar/pub brawls between American and British youth. New Wave was all the rage. There’s so many artists to choose from, but if there’s one artist who embraced and pushed technology boundaries, he would be Peter Gabriel. His video Sledgehammer from So was the most cutting edge use of stop-motion at the time, winning several awards. According to Wikipedia, Sledgehammer was the most played video on MTV (as of 2011) and declared the best animated music video of all time.
- “Episode 8: Music Videos“, aardman.com. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
NEW WAVE: Peter Gabriel – Sledgehammer
Also in my younger days I was attracted to Industrial Metal; the harder the better, for the shock value of all that sonic fury. During those days my favorite Industrial group was Ministry, with its grinding beats and walls of sound. I was also decidedly “anti establishment” at the time, the late nineties. The more I could shock with my choice of music, played loudly, the better I felt. This was a hard stance to have, still serving in the Air Force, but it was fun. Further, that was just the beginning of American military participation in the Middle East. It fit my attitude at the time. I did grow out of that phase many years ago, but still revisit those songs for fun every now and again. Oddly, this choice is fitting for today. Ministry’s use of video mashups and audio samples along with heavily distorted metal guitar riffs and drums is the reason why I chose them for this category.
INDUSTRIAL: Ministry – New World Order
My final genre that I love listening to is Psychedelia. Two favorite bands of mine are Porcupine Tree and Ozric Tentacles. It was hard to decide which band to highlight here, but I chose Ozric Tentacles. They tend to stretch into psychedelic territory more with their wandering jazzy lines and wide use of electronic synth along with analog instruments in tight formation. Their use of technology woven in with musical arrangement is really astonishing and easy to listen to for days. Their arrangements are not intended to shock, but more to stretch one’s mind into new places through layered synth sounds and constantly changing syncopated beats.
NEO PSYCHEDELIA: Ozric Tentacles – Fractal Eternal Wheel
I hope you enjoyed my breakdown of the electronic music I listen to. I continue to revisit these bands and many others often while I’m designing and building new web sites.