Greatest Electronica of EPIC proportion

[Hink]

thanx chase...

[shamann]

I'm reading this question differently than the rest of you. He seems to be asking not what are the greatest electronic albums (that would have been an easy question to ask, and surely he would have asked for the electronic equivalent of "The White Album" or "The Dark Side of the Moon"), but rather those albums that dare to be epic in their scope -- large arrangements, huge dynamics, major tempo changes, etc.

Except, there is a very big difference between the use of the word 'stature' compared to 'scope'.

I would have guessed it not a question of what anyone likes or what anyone's intentions were, but rather what electronica album can we all point to as a benchmark in the same manner that people have been pointing to Sgt. Pepper's all these years.

Of course the answer is: there isn't one.

Electronica isn't a specific thing, just a blanket marketing term for music that employs electronics. Consider New Order was mentioned, but half of their sound, and the greater part of their signature sound, came from the guitars. Listen to 'Respect'. In 5 seconds you instantly know it's a New Order song, and that has nothing to do with the electronics.

So you'd have to narrow it down to like, "What is/will be the DnB equivalent of Sgt. Pepper's? The one that, when mentioned, everyone in a discussion, even those who don't like it, will nod with a certain deference at the very mention?"

So far, the closest I've seen mentioned here was Merzbow's Pulse Demon, for its specific niche. If you are into that sort of thing, you've likely heard it. And an added bonus, to me it sounds like heaven (then again I think the streetcars here in Toronto under certain conditions sound like the voices of angels).

So what's the trance equivalent to Sgt. Pepper's? Some Simon Posford disc?

And what of IDM? Which Warp disc will the punters be able to narrow it down to?

Etc.

[nibbzious]

I'm reading this question differently than the rest of you. He seems to be asking not what are the greatest electronic albums (that would have been an easy question to ask, and surely he would have asked for the electronic equivalent of "The White Album" or "The Dark Side of the Moon"), but rather those albums that dare to be epic in their scope -- large arrangements, huge dynamics, major tempo changes, etc.

OK, so what electronic records dare to be BIG???

Oh shit. I mis-read... I thought you meant "epic" as in "legendary" with lasting ripples and influence throughout electronic music.

THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING!!!

[OrderInChaos]

Orbital - In Sides
Future Sound Of London - Dead Cities
Crystal Method - Community Service Vol.1
Massive Attack - Mezzanine
Sasha - Involver
Photek - Solaris
Leftfield - Leftism
The Dust Brothers - Fight Club Soundtrack

[SecondSkin]

I'm reading this question differently than the rest of you. He seems to be asking not what are the greatest electronic albums (that would have been an easy question to ask, and surely he would have asked for the electronic equivalent of "The White Album" or "The Dark Side of the Moon"), but rather those albums that dare to be epic in their scope -- large arrangements, huge dynamics, major tempo changes, etc.

Except, there is a very big difference between the use of the word 'stature' compared to 'scope'.

I would have guessed it not a question of what anyone likes or what anyone's intentions were, but rather what electronica album can we all point to as a benchmark in the same manner that people have been pointing to Sgt. Pepper's all these years.

Of course the answer is: there isn't one.

Agreed, the word stature in the original post changes everything (if he indeed meant stature -- Exit Zero where are you???). Of course nothing in "electronica" has that kind of stature because popular "stature" only comes with popular appeal spanning a large time frame. I was basing my assumptions on "EPIC proportions" in the thread title.

[Ian SDZH]

For electronica that has had the largest effect on music as a whole, rather than my personal faves, I'd have to say
BOC - Music Has the Right to Children
The Orb - Adventures...
Aphex Twin - SAW 1
Jarre - Oxygene
Tangerine Dream - Phaedre
Portishead - Dummy

[kovacs]

I really like Brian Eno's Apollo.

But I think Jarre tops my list for "stature".

[.jon]

Most of the important ones have already been mentioned (FaX posted a good list), but Prodigy - Experience really can't be left out.

I'd choose Rubicon over Phaedra... fwiw

[JoeSchmoe]

Someone mentioned Hybrid and I totally agree, both their albums are EPIC and have grandiose ambitions.

Recently, Pole Folder´s "Zero Gold" has shown a similar approach...huge strings, massive production, all the Radiohead/Massive Attack/Pink Floyd influences on display.

It might not be the best electronica album ever, but I think it´s very good and it certainly is BIG.

Way Out West and a bunch of other progressive house acts are also very epic.

[haydxn]

yeah! more people are mentioning hybrid too! top stuff

[peejunk]

Ok folks....

Think... Seargent Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles

... The Wall - Pink Floyd

... 1999 - Prince

We're not talking about your ordinary average everyday release. The afore mentioned albums are examples of what I'm referring to.

What album of electronic music can be said to hold the same stature as these classic recordings?

Bring it!

I'm reading this question differently than the rest of you. He seems to be asking not what are the greatest electronic albums (that would have been an easy question to ask, and surely he would have asked for the electronic equivalent of "The White Album" or "The Dark Side of the Moon"), but rather those albums that dare to be epic in their scope -- large arrangements, huge dynamics, major tempo changes, etc.

OK, so what electronic records dare to be BIG???

Sisters of Mercy -- Floodland
Chemical Brothers -- Surrender
Hybrid -- Wide Angle
Underworld -- Beaucoup Fish

...except for "Wide Angle" (and maybe "Beaucoup Fish") these are not the artists best works. But they are the "greatest electronica of EPIC proportions" that I can think of.

Leftfield - Leftism at the top of any list any way you read the question. In no doubt one of most important dance music (wtf is "electronica"?) LPs ever. Also maybe Goldie - Timeless (the record that made jungle big and global i.e. the record that made me hear jungle, and not only hear about it), Massive Attack - Protection (arguably modest in sound but epic in effect -- along with aforementioned two records guilty of "everybody and their dog" use of dance music stuff in mid 90s pop). In modern day dance music it will undoubtably be Sasha's Airdrawndagger becausi it's undoubtably a masterpiece.

But if you're after "larger than life" cocain-brained, megalomaniac wankerage I don't think you don't get much better than Goldie - Saturnz Return. I could prolly say the same about Way Out West's "Don't Look Back" but I love that album to bits

[SecondSkin]

Leftfield - Leftism at the top of any list any way you read the question. In no doubt one of most important dance music (wtf is "electronica"?) LPs ever. Also maybe Goldie - Timeless (the record that made jungle big and global i.e. the record that made me hear jungle, and not only hear about it), Massive Attack - Protection (arguably modest in sound but epic in effect -- along with aforementioned two records guilty of "everybody and their dog" use of dance music stuff in mid 90s pop). In modern day dance music it will undoubtably be Sasha's Airdrawndagger becausi it's undoubtably a masterpiece.

But if you're after "larger than life" cocain-brained, megalomaniac wankerage I don't think you don't get much better than Goldie - Saturnz Return. I could prolly say the same about Way Out West's "Don't Look Back" but I love that album to bits

I totally agree with your entire post, though I kinda wish I wasn't in total agreement with a guy named "peejunk".

[Exit Zero]

I'm reading this question differently than the rest of you. He seems to be asking not what are the greatest electronic albums (that would have been an easy question to ask, and surely he would have asked for the electronic equivalent of "The White Album" or "The Dark Side of the Moon"), but rather those albums that dare to be epic in their scope -- large arrangements, huge dynamics, major tempo changes, etc.

Except, there is a very big difference between the use of the word 'stature' compared to 'scope'.

I would have guessed it not a question of what anyone likes or what anyone's intentions were, but rather what electronica album can we all point to as a benchmark in the same manner that people have been pointing to Sgt. Pepper's all these years.

Of course the answer is: there isn't one.

Exactly the reason why I posed the question.

And yes, "EPIC" in scope of composition, not so much influence on a specific genre. Although, an album like "The Wall" is an EPIC masterpiece, it certainly has had it's rippling effect - as it should.

Goldie's "Timeless" is definitely close...

I'm suprised no one has mentioned "Pretty Hate Machine" - NIN.

Juno Reactor's "Shango" is one of my epic favs...

[jjb13]

Ulrich Schnauss is another artist that has some very big sounding, densely layered, "Epic" tracks. Check out the song Monday-Paracetemol (sp?), off of his 2nd album - A Strangely Isolated Place". Big, big stuff...

[Steve Newton]

More votes for
DJ Shadow - Endtroducing
Orbital - Middle Of Nowhere
Dust Brothers - Fight Club Soundtrack