mjn@teddy.UUCP (Mark J. Norton) (05/10/85)
I have to admit that when Kraftwerk first brought out Autobahn, I
really enjoyed it. That was some time ago and my tastes have changed,
but I still turn up the volume when it happens to come on the radio in
my car. Its a great driving song.
After Autobahn, I thought Kraftwerk would continue to provide music
of similar intrest. I bought Radio-activity. I had several cuts were
of intrest to me technically (synthesized natural sounds), but as good
as the previous. I also bought Trans-Europe Express, which turned out
to be a waste. The title it indeed BBOORRIINNGG (as someone put it).
It lacked the sweeps of sound, and unique shifts in Autobahn. I haven't
followed them since.
I've always liked 'Wall-of-sound' bands such as Yes, Pink Floyd, and
some of Eno's stuff. I've slowly amassed most of their repective albums,
especially Pink Floyd. I've also begun porting my favorites to tape, so
I can enjoy them in my car, which has a decent sound system.
In case you hadn't guessed by now, this article is intended to
stimulate discussion on synth-bands, and groups which make heavy use
of synthesizers. Another favorite of mine is Tangerine Dream, which
shares Germany as a home country with Kraftwerk. Anyone care to respond
to the work of TD (Sorcerer, Cyclone, Pherda, Stratosphere, etc)?
--
Mark J. Norton
{decvax,linus,wjh12,mit-eddie,cbosgd,masscomp}!genrad!panda!mjn
mjn@sunspotpeterb@pbear.UUCP (05/13/85)
I don't think "synth-band" would include artists such as Isao Tomita of Japan
or Jean Michelle Jarre' of France, but these two produce music on oppisite
scales that really tax the implementation of most synths. Tomita has
"electrisized" many classical works (such as the Debussy suites, Ravel's
Bolero, Holste's Planets, Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition and others)
by using his synths to create an "enhanced" version of natural instruments.
He has created sounds that cover the whole ochestra, choral, and some effects.
He has put out about 7 albums in the last 9 years or so. If you get a chance,
listen to them.
Jarre likes to experiment with a fussive jazz style. He uses powerful bass
lines and then adds layer upon layer of sound on top of the bass line. Back
in 76, one of his songs gained popularity on the FM radio. It was part 4 of
his Oxygene LP.
Jarre's music is more like a mood music. I use it a lot as a backgound filler
when I have a lot of work to do or need to concentrate.
Jarre is on the Dreyfuss label, while Tomita is on RCA Red Seal.
Enjoy....
Peter Barada
{ihnp4!inmet | harvard!ima}!pbear!peterbdce@hammer.UUCP (David Elliott) (05/13/85)
Kraftwerk's "The Man-Machine" is usually overlooked in light of "Autobahn" (their "hit") and "Computer World". "The Man-Machine" is my favorite Kraftwerk album. It's got some of the edge of the older stuff, but is technically better. Its "pop" feel is similar to "Computer World" (in other words, the songs are short and are organized in standard popular forms), but there is more bass and the drums are not as electronic sounding. I picked up this album because I heard "The Model" on Snakefinger's second album, and I wanted to hear the original. I wasn't disappointed. "The Man-Machine" is altogether a better album than "Computer World" and beats "Trans-Europe Express" by a kilometer. If you are into synthesizers with vocals and drums, check out the recent Bill Nelson stuff (you may remember Nelson as the leader of Be-Bop Deluxe). The American releases are almost all 4- and 6-song mini-albums. The recent UK imports are mostly double lps, with one album of "pop" stuff and one album of "home recordings using a broken 4-track". A couple of weeks ago, I picked up a 4-record boxed set of more "home recordings" (plus some post cards and a form to send in by March 31, 1985 to get a book of photos by Bill Nelson). Bill works in a very experimental fashion. Songs are composed as they are recorded. He uses mostly electronic drums (though he is a very good drummer) and very little guitar (which I sorely miss, because he is an excellent guitarist; maybe he'll get a Roland GR-700). His music has an Oriental feel to it. David