Thursday 26 August 2010

A Very Warped History 3: 1994 (1 Of 2)

    Previous Part                                                                                                      Next Part    

And so I return to my regularly scheduled programming, the next Warped entry. 1994 was a big year for Warp (and for me, cuz I was born). Two legendary albums came out in that year, and they both deserve separate posts in my opinion so I'm splitting it into two.

The first of which is Autechre's Amber. Released only six months after Incunabula it's a very similar style (albeit with some experimental and ambient pieces thrown in) for this would be their last album in this style moving onto more Aphexy style IDM after this release. It's a more refined Incunabula but while that may take a few listens to grow on you, Amber shoots straight for your heart.


With such a short time span between albums they share certain aspects (even sharing the same number of tracks) but while Incunabula was cold and metallic, Amber goes for a smoother, more natural approach while maintaining it's predecessor's elements. Like so.


Only three tracks in and Autechre experiment with a quasi-ambient track, Silverside. Combining heavy beats and muffled vocals, it has ties to Autriche from the first album, and even sounds like it uses the same effects that are at the end of Kalpol Introl. but enough comparison, just listen.


Here things take an upbeat turn with Slip, it's very smooth with catchy hooks and various other bleeps. It's one of my favourite examples of early IDM along with Aphex's Selected Ambient Works 85-92. I once heard it described as "music to write code to" so you can guess what it sounds like.



The next few tracks on the album are more Ambient experiments, and this one is hands down my favourite track from the album, tracks like these were what I was referring to with the "shoots for your heart" comment. I can't say much more that that if I'm honest, it's a wonderful song packed with emotion, Give it a listen, it deserves it



Another of the Ambient pieces, it's beauty lies in the simplicity. The same few synth notes play through the entire 6 minutes (although it seems like only 3), along with various other added effects to break it up. Very, very hypnotic.


For the final stretch Autechre return to the stylings of the opening tracks like Montreal, but much softer. the intro to this reminds me of rain (I've never listened to it when it is raining though, sorry Adam) but before I have time to think about that, the driving bassline hits and it just gets better from there. Things take a mellow turn around 4:40 which is a pleasant surprise!


Amber ends on the same note it began on, strong bassy notes and heavy beats with other synths laid over it but this one has a twist, it slows down gradually throughout, making the beats heavier and the bass notes softer, until it gradually fades out. an great end to a fantastic album if I do say so.


That ends another Warped instalment, as we enter the prime time of their releases, we'll be seeing some really classic stuff. And the next half of this post is only the beginning, So please stay tuned for that, you won't wanna miss it!

Let's Do The Warp Again,
-Claude Van Foxbat

Monday 9 August 2010

Happy Birthday ilictronix!

Hey guys, what's up? I'm actually out of the house right now, typing this on my phone. But in case you didn't know. Today is ilictronix's 2nd birthday.



Two years ago, I was sitting in my room, playing Combat Arms with my buddy James when I thought, I want to make a website. So that night, I sat there thinking of some names. Electronix was taken. Ilectronix looked stupid, as did Elictronix. So, I went with ilictronix (note: all lower case).

And that's basically the story of ilictronix. Nothing too sexy or dramatic. Just one kid and his friend wanting to write about electronic music. Well, James left the 4th day (sucks to be him!) and I was on my own for a few months until I started hiring some writers. Best decision I've ever made.

Since it's small beginnings, ilictronix has grown into a diverse community from dozens of countries, numbering in the tens of thousands. Each day, we receive about 2,500 unique visitors - a number I never thought I'd ever see.

So thank you, readers, writers, commentators, etc. Without you guys, ilictronix would be nothing. Each day I come home and look at my website with great pride, because one little idea in my head spawned into a heavy hitter in the blogosphere. *tear* I love you guys.

I would love to post music, but I'm sorry I'm not home to dig up a track. Hopefully my sincere-for-the-first-time-ever blogging is good enough for you all.

So from all of us, thank you. And happy birthday ilictronix! Keep the love coming, you guys. I have the best fans in the world.

Cocktails for everyone,
Prez

PS - Another happy birthday to our writer, Claude. Have a good one bud.

Friday 6 August 2010

Claude's Birthday Treats

It's my Birthday on the 8th, and it was a tough choice on whether to do another Warp entry or knock up a lil' treat for you, loyal readers, a nice fresh dollop of Pick 'N Mix :). You've probably had enough of my Warp posts for a while. Good news because so have I, and instead have this mixed bag to share with you all, a whole 2 days early - you lucky bunch.

This will be you very soon


First up is a fairly old track I decided to look up on Elbo.ws a while back and I only found broken or low quality links. Which is a real shame because this track is super sweet, definitely one of those cult classic tunes you will have heard before but won't know the name of. Good thing ol' uncle Claude is here to shine a light on it once again! As the mix says, it is really heavenly house.



An oldie but goodie that's been motivating me lately, Mehdi's Busy Being Born. The build up a minute in just kills me every time. When it all comes together, it's brilliant.



Now for any of you out there complaining about the lack of electro again, let me pull this ace from my sleeve (pun intended), probably my favourite Beetroots remix ever, it's a shame the don't do stuff like this anymore. Anyway, enjoy the face melting goodness.



Guess what? I'm gonna throw in some dubstep too so you lot don't complain either! first up is some euphoric remixing by D1, taking a chill track and applying some filth. you'd swear it was a trance track weren't it for the seismic bass. Enjoy, 'cause I know I do.



and this one's just here because it popped up while I was playing through my Dub folder and I thought you'd all like it :), I forget the details of the band besides they have a myspace under toastdubstep or something, check 'em out!



this final track's a bit of a wild card, but this is Pick 'N Mix, and I wanna have something for everyone. from a legendary album (that wasn't released on Warp, you'll be glad to hear!) enjoy the smooth synths and heavy bassline on this number way ahead of it's time for 1992.



Your probably thinking I have more reason than simple boredom for me to slow down my posting/the warp series, and you're right. truth is, I'm trying to prepare for my inevitable return to school and the schedule it will give me. BUT I also want to focus on some side projects I had planned and make the most of the free time I have left (as I mentioned in the shoutbox) for said projects. Stay tuned for the results of them, it might take a while. I'll still be lingering on the site despite all this, even if I aren't feel free to E-mail me with anything you want (within reason!)

Movin' at the speed of life,
-Claude Van Foxbat

Wednesday 4 August 2010

Status update!

Hi there,

I'm here with some news about the site... The non-blind amongst the readers have probably noticed by now, but some visual changes have taken place. We are currently reworking the site to provide for a more organised, more appealing and extended reading pleasure.

As the buttons on the top of the page suggest: These changes will include adding several new pages to the blog.
  • The Chat
Our chat has been updated already to fit with our new visual style and we hope to see you all pop by once in a while to have a conversation about whatever that's slightly interesting.
  • The Gallery
This page will probably be a showcase for reader submitted pictures and stuff like that. We are also pleased to announce we found a fan of the site that wants to work together with us to kick off the grand opening of this new page (His name's Bob, you'll hear from him again in the near future :p)
  • Feature
In here the artist of the month will get a permanent spot to reside. We might also add festival reviews to this section...
  • The Team
We are currently working on this page that will feature a short biography of all our staff members and the obligatory contact info.
  • Advertise
The chance to advertise with ilictronix has been reopened as well, we'll announce our wallet friendly offers once all the neccesary modifications to the site have been completed.

Phew, so that's what we're working on right now along with some other neat features, that might not see the light of day.

If any readers are interested in helping out with this time consuming process, you can always contact prez or me and we'll see if there's anything you can do for the site (basic web building/designing experience required however).

Now onto my post...

I've recently discovered this site that's definitely worth checking out. http://oneframeoffame.com Activate your webcams and start posing... Or are you creative enough to get into the ranks of featured contributors like me?

Check out my 2 last submissions :p





And because no post is complete without some mp3... Here's a nice DnB remix of Barbara Streisand by Duck Sauce

Duck Sauce - Barbra Stresisand (Love Thy Brother Remix VS Bassnectar)

Excuse me now as I get back to work, so I don't get scolded by our Prez for slacking.

One more thing, I need some feedback on how the new design is doing, so voice your opinions, Like the changes? Hate em? Got any suggestions? Let your voices be heard in the comments!

Enjoy, Mr. Brown

Tuesday 3 August 2010

A Very Warped History 2 : 1993

    Previous Part                                                                                                      Next Part    

A few years after the release of LFO, Warp was still enjoying moderate success, carving itself a niche as the label of experimental artists and revolutionary ideas. In 1992, Warp started what they called the Artificial Intelligence series. Designed to show the creative and flexible sounds that could be achieved with electronic equipment, Warp themselves described it as "Electronic Listening Music" to not be played as background or in DJ sets, but to be listened to with "an open mind"

The cover to the first compilation features an Android asleep in an armchair surrounded by Kraftwerk and Pink Floyd albums. Steve Beckett explains:


"You could sit down and listen to it like you would a Kraftwerk or Pink Floyd album. That's why we put those sleeves on the cover of Artificial Intelligence - to get it into people's minds that you weren't supposed to dance to it! ”
—Steve Beckett, Co-Founder of Warp, on the Artificial Intelligence I compilation


The artificial Intelligence Series Consists of 8 albums (2 of which are compilations) by artists such as Autechre, F.U.S.E, Black Dog Productions and Polygon Window (AKA Aphex Twin)

Obviously I can't post all of these albums, so it came down to Polygon Window or Autechre, and Autechre won in the IDM department (which is a term I hate, but will use for easy identification and whatnot)
Incunabula (derived from the Latin for something in it's infancy or in early development) is a very strange album indeed, it wasn't actually intended to BE an album, it was simply a compilation Autechre sent in to Warp shortly after they were signed. It sounds incredibly futuristic for it's time (as did almost all of the AI series) yet Incunabula resonates on a higher level, the music is cold and metallic with futuristic stylings; yet it manages to be warm, fuzzy and nostalgic at the same time thanks to the analogue equipment.



The limited edition was pressed on silver vinyl, combined with the artwork, very reminiscent of Kraftwerk no?
Anyway, The introduction from the album will back up everything I've said, featuring the signature warm synths and industrial-esque beats


and while I'm here I have some more tracks from this truly classic milestone in the history of IDM to share with you.

This track sums up almost the entire album perfectly, using simple bleeps to create something intricate


Autriche follows the same pattern, this time throwing muffled vocal samples in with the synths and beats. A treat for headphone users


Eggshell was originally released on AI 1 compilation as The Egg, which was a more dance floor friendly version of Shell, which on the album is a nine minute example of how the equipment of the era could be pushed to do extraordinary things


Lowride doesn't fit with the rest, it's not dark or industrial at all it's almost chillout, a genre which hadn't really been coined yet. As it's name suggests it takes more than a little inspiration from hip hop, and the intoxicating bassline does wonders too.


The final track caps everything off nicely with a slow and lumbering quasi-ambient intro eventually giving way to more beats and bloops. A must listen


also, a nice bonus for all of you bothered to read all this, Aphex Twin's other release from 1993, On. Released in November of 1993, the Twin begins to experiment with IDM moving away from his acid house roots. The result was another incredible hit for the style, and cemented it's place in the world of electronic music as a legitimate genre



On is a lovely piece starting off soft with a piano and a rainstorm sample. However it soon morphs into a monster that is the baby of Acid and AFX's newly evolving style. and it still sounds fresh today


The other standout track is 73-Yips which is Aphex's last attempt at anything Acidy. It goes down a treat though, definitely a staple for anyone who is a fan of the Twin.


and after all that, I must leave. Sorry for the wall of text, but the story of warp demands to be heard :D

Dispensing the modern classics,
-Claude Van Foxbat