So you've decided to start liking "electronic" music. Good choice. This will rock your ass if you let it! Techno/electronica (the two terms are almost interchangeable) is one of the broadest, most underrated genres in music, and will rock your ass if you let it. Trouble is, with most of the action happening below the mainstream radar and with so much diversity of style and talent, Techno music is not easy to get into. Fortunately for YOUR ass, I'm digging into my library and taking this very issue on tonight!
I'm gonna narrow it down by asking the most important question straight away: Where are you coming from, taste-wise? Whatever you dig, techno's got a style for ya.
1) CLASSICAL, JAZZ, BOSSA, INSTRUMENTAL SHIT LIKE THAT
Really? You're... you're into... Okay, how did you find this journal? Well, dear music lover, on the plus side, you're probably going to have an easier time than anyone digging electronic music, since there's a lot of instrumental techno out there that's right up your alley. Want some technically challenging stuff? Try these artists, which I've arranged in order, from least out-there to most: traditionalist
Pat Metheny, trip-hop pioneers
Portishead,
Lamb,
Blue Man Group, and
Propellerheads.
2) HIPPITY-HOP MUSIC (
I Left My Wallet in El Segundo)
Were you bouncing along to some hip-hop at the club when the DJ mixed it up with a b-boy special? Ya liked it, huh? You'd probably be safe if you took a good dose of mainstream techno, since it shares so many roots with hip-hop! All good techno fans can bop along to
James Brown,
Grandmaster Flash and
George Clinton. The influences of masters such as these make modern danceable music what it is.
If you want something more modern, save some space on your playlist for Detroit's
DJ Assault, the Jamaican sensation
Sean Paul, rhythmic enigma
RJD2, and latter-day techno saint
Fatboy Slim.
For bonus points, go back in time and find some of the old-school underground beats from the 70's that make modern DJs wet their panties. Real pro DJs always have a few albums of
The Jimmy Castor Bunch,
Average White Band, and
Booker T. & The MG's in the back of their collection for when they absolutely, positively HAVE TO make it funky.
3) HARD ROCK
Think you can't throw up the horns to techno? Think again, my friend. Get your shit stove in by
The Prodigy, or some of
Rob Dougan's harder stuff. If you're not listening to
Nine Inch Nails yet, you should be. Shit, and go out and buy the soundtrack to
The Matrix, if you haven't already. Then go find
Apocalyptica, a cello quartet from Finland... that busts their bows covering Metallica and Tool, the Brazilian beast
Amon Tobin, and, if you have absolutely no respect at all for your sanity, Aphex Twin's
Richard D. James Album. Move on to his other trippy tracks after you've successfully handled that.
4) I LIKE POP.
That's great. I don't. Technopop is pretty good, though. Go with
Moby,
The Postal Service,
Daft Punk, or
Massive Attack if you're just trying to round out your small library, look cool, or impress someone who's REALLY into techno and attractive enough that you're willing to pick up a new style of music for him or her. Tell them "I just downloaded some
DJ Shadow and I think I really like it" for instant easy cred/pity.
5) ELECTRONICA FOR ELECTRONICA'S SAKE
You think you want the geniune article? Something really original, or really challenging? Wade in with a little
Dntel or
Mr. Scruff. Or jump in to
Brian Eno's mastery of the ambient,
Paul Oakenfold's perpetually gyrating club sets, or sample the stylistic smorgasboard that is
Björk. That's real electronica, true digital art comin down your earhole. The only way to get even more electronic is to go indie-underground, a strange land, where I would not be fit to lead you.
6) COUNTRY MUSIC
I can't help much here either, Jethro.
Just kidding! Get yourself some
bluegrass, son! Techno party music is the city's electric answer to that old-time down-home bluegrass.
LISTEN UP! HERE'S WHAT I'M TALKIN ABOUT-
1) Edge virtuosity ~
Humming
2) Hip fuckin hop ~
Ghostwriter
3) I need noise ~
Smack My Bitch Up
4) Bleep boop pop ~
Digital Love
5) Ethereal ambience ~
An Ending (Ascent)
6) Bluegrass (hey, why not) ~
Foggy Mountain Breakdown
