Discuss Electronic music, be it industrial, EBM, Futurepop etc.

Right now I'm on a big VNV Nation kick. Anyone else ever heard of them?

I like Manheim Steamroller.

VNV is good, KMFDM/MDFMK is better

Any particular songs/cd's I should check out? I saw one of thier video's on VH1 Classic's Alternative show, and quite liked it. Dont' remember what it was called, though...

They're all good. I'd say pick up KMFDM first, though, as MDFMK is the leftovers from KMFDM. KMFDM rock, though

Sounds cool. I pick up their greatest hits on my next Amazon buy.

Well worth it. I guaran-damn-tee it.

The subtilte for this thread should have said "sucks". Seriously, I'm as open to different music as anyone, but the vast majority of electronica really blows.

What kind of stuff have you heard?

I really like adding in electronic elements to more "traditonal" rock music. Like AFI's stuff in "Death of Seasons" or "The Despair Factor". I have an old syth, but I'm no good with it. Plus I can't play synth and guitar at the same time...

Well, I've heard virtually all of it. KMFDM, Kraftwerk, and most of the other electronic music "legends"...I'm just not down with. I do appreciate mixing it in to more traditional music like you said, it's just when a synth, computer or sequencer does all the work that I start thinking - What's the point? Now, obviously painting with a broad brush like I did earlier is dangerous. Not ALL electronic music sucks. What it comes down to for me is the same as in every other genre: strength of the song, creativity of the musician, and ability to relay emotion through the music. For whatever reason, electronica just seems to come up short too often in those categories.

I totally understand. The computerized elements can often seem sterile. Perhaps it's that as a product of a different generation, and being constantly surrounded by computers and gadgetry practically my whole life, I'm able to pick up on some of the emotion and whatnot more than you may be, because you grew up listenening to very differnet music, which didn't have any of the computerized influences.

Or I'm full of shit and I think it all just sounds cool. One of the two.

Jesus. I'm not that old.

I have been on computers since my first day of school, and there was LOADS of electronic music in the early eighties. So, I don't think that's the case. I really think it's a case of lazy musicianship. You here the same sample in 40 different songs, and it loses it's effect.

True. I think the best "electronic" music doesn't use samples at all. I like the idea of creating music with electric instruments, but I don't like using other peoples stuff. I'd rather have it be my own. But that's just me.

I think sampling in both hip hop and electronic can be good, but you have to do it subtly.

I wasn't saying it'can't be good, I was just saying I prefer original compositions to sampling.

I will point out that alost everything in electronic music is sampled now. From drum sounds to strings..etc, most of the sounds coming out of synths are sampled from some "live" source.

I like the heavier/darker electronica, but I REALLY hate the lighter stuff. The techno/rave/house music can piss me off like nothing else.

And how can you not like Kraftwerk? The cheesiness blended in with the creativity, it's just impossible not to enjoy in some sick twisted way. Kind of like a Scrooge post.

I saw them "live" one time. That was painful. Never recovered on their music.

Didn't they open for U2, or am I thinking of another "First Wave" Industrial band?

Yes they did.

You know, they're just not a band I'd ever care to see live. It would ruin them for me.

Just like the Rolling Stones

On my recent Joy Division kick, I picked up New Order's DVD Set because it was dirt cheap. I loved it. Then I picked up their greatest hits, which I also love. One of my teachers, who's totally rad, said she'd burn me "Power, Corruption, Lies" already, so I'm like, SCORE!

To surmise: I Like New Order.

You liked Joy Division, right? No real surprise then.

I'm OBSESSED with Joy Division. After reading "Touching From a Distance" I'm just toally fascinated by the band, and Ian Curtis in particular.

I find I like New Order for different reasons, though. I like the fact that they actually had cross-over sucess without "selling out" so to speak.