Clash Me (Again!)

NOTE: Hi there! I'm going through the backcatalogue and re-publishing all the posts I can find. I'm re-posting them as new articles too just so there is visible content going up. This post is originally from April 2017.

Enjoy,
-CVF

Futura 2000 - Untitled (The Clash)

You'll never guess who has two thumbs and an unhealthy appreciation for a niche electronic sub-genre from the early 2000s. That's right, it's time for another semi-regular installment of Claude goes on about Electroclash. Naturally my first port of call to start the electroclash journey was International Deejay Gigolo, so I got stuck right in with some Fischerspooner. It's been a while since I brought em up, and even then last time I think it was Emerge which everyone knows about (but is still a class tune mind). Much like Miss Kittin's eventual debut with I Com, #1 sways between the dancefloor and more meditative offerings, and the slightly sexy Turn On is a standout.



I've been really diggin' the more punky side of Electroclash these days. Back when I was more about the smooth & sleazy tones of Felix Da Housecat and the like, I inevitably picked up some pieces here and there but it was never really my favourite. Enter Mount Sims, with the fittingly electroclashy titled UltraSex, a rather recent addition to my collection but has quickly become a mainstay. Much like on Felix's Kittenz & Thee Glitz, there's plenty of critique of media and 'Hollywood' (though not as pronounced as on Kittenz). Hollywood Bride doesn't waste time, there's not an intro so much as a short couple of seconds before the whole thing kicks in, Sims himself shows off his vocal prowess quite well here too, a rare non-monotone delivery style in the sea of electroclash (barring the slightly forced Kitsch/Bitch rhymes). Only real complaint is the chorus synth is a bit weak, but every other element is on point so it can slide.



And finally, more ADULT. Like with Mount Sims, I wasn't a huge fan back when I was mega into electroclash, but they've since grown to be one of my all time favourites. I'd by lying if I didn't say that Nicola Kuperus' breed of stoic delivery with just a hint of anxiety wasn't a big part of that. That's not to discount Adam Lee Miller's contributions mind (Hand To Phone has been a near constant in my playlists for more than a decade at this point), the production on Side-Swiped does a fantastic job of complimenting the vocals and creating the dark and slightly unnerving atmosphere, the way the synth effortlessly slides in after the title drop around 1:40 is just fantastic and makes everything feel like it's plunged into slow motion for a second or two.



-Claude Van Foxbat

Clash Me

Futura 2000 - Untitled (The Clash)

You'll never guess who has two thumbs and an unhealthy appreciation for a niche electronic sub-genre from the early 2000s. That's right, it's time for another semi-regular installment of Claude goes on about Electroclash. Naturally my first port of call to start the electroclash journey was International Deejay Gigolo, so I got stuck right in with some Fischerspooner. It's been a while since I brought em up, and even then last time I think it was Emerge which everyone knows about (but is still a class tune mind). Much like Miss Kittin's eventual debut with I Com, #1 sways between the dancefloor and more meditative offerings, and the slightly sexy Turn On is a standout.



I've been really diggin' the more punky side of Electroclash these days. Back when I was more about the smooth & sleazy tones of Felix Da Housecat and the like, I inevitably picked up some pieces here and there but it was never really my favourite. Enter Mount Sims, with the fittingly electroclashy titled UltraSex, a rather recent addition to my collection but has quickly become a mainstay. Much like on Felix's Kittenz & Thee Glitz, there's plenty of critique of media and 'Hollywood' (though not as pronounced as on Kittenz). Hollywood Bride doesn't waste time, there's not an intro so much as a short couple of seconds before the whole thing kicks in, Sims himself shows off his vocal prowess quite well here too, a rare non-monotone delivery style in the sea of electroclash (barring the slightly forced Kitsch/Bitch rhymes). Only real complaint is the chorus synth is a bit weak, but every other element is on point so it can slide.



And finally, more ADULT. Like with Mount Sims, I wasn't a huge fan back when I was mega into electroclash, but they've since grown to be one of my all time favourites. I'd by lying if I didn't say that Nicola Kuperus' breed of stoic delivery with just a hint of anxiety wasn't a big part of that. That's not to discount Adam Lee Miller's contributions mind (Hand To Phone has been a near constant in my playlists for more than a decade at this point), the production on Side-Swiped does a fantastic job of complimenting the vocals and creating the dark and slightly unnerving atmosphere, the way the synth effortlessly slides in after the title drop around 1:40 is just fantastic and makes everything feel like it's plunged into slow motion for a second or two.



-Claude Van Foxbat

Techy Wednesdays

Oops I meant for this to be yet another Techy Tuesday but I done goofed again. Have the belated version of the post anyway featuring a ton of Electroclash because I unironically like the genre. Less getstuck in.

Atelier Olschinsky - Neon Cities (04)

Recently put the creatively titled debut LP #1 back into my rotation. International Deejay Gigolo Records are pretty much a goldmine for the seedy electroclash-y sound, but I always felt like Fischerspooner were the meeting point between the cleaner stuff and the all out lewd, and this track is a solid example of that. There's nothing out n' out filthy about it and I bet it would still be at home on a dancefloor today.



I wish I had come around to Mount Sims sooner. I was aware of the featuring tracks he'd been on but it took me a crazy long time to check out his solo work, and I haven't been able to get my dannies on a physical copy as of yet so this one isn't the best quality. But I'll be damned if it doesn't tickle my electroclash itch like no other, straight from the opening track.



And finally, a half remembered fragment of my youth that I came into again recently. More of the soundtrack from the PS1 Ghost In The Shell game, I remember a demo disk with it on and the intro movie blew my little mind before I knew what Cyberpunk was. Fast forward a decade or so and not only do I have the soundtrack to that video, but the whole game too. And it's chock full of gorgeous mid-90's techno.



-Claude Van Foxbat

Synthesized Soul

As often as I repeat it, I've always had a certain affinity for electronic music since I was little, I remember being amazed at the sounds, so unlike anything conventional instruments could produce. More than likely you've seen the same argument played out countless times: Electronic music doesn't have 'feeling' which is something I've always rejected, maybe it's my sci-fi side talking but when you break it down isn't a Piano just a machine? (Obviously not in the same way as a Modular Synth, but still). But enough philosophy for now, here's some songs that have been tickling my brain bits recently.

Vladimir Bonačić - PLN 5 (1969)

Ladytron's debut output was littered with references to old tech, be it the Speak & Spell featured in the Playgirl video or hell even the track simply called Commodore Rock. It's most prominent on the few instrumental tracks on their debut, as the opening tones of this one sound vaguely 8-bit.



Keeping it in electroclash-y territory with some Fischerspooner. I've been meaning to do an in-depth overview of this LP like I did with Felix and other albums of the time but it hasn't happened yet. Around the midpoint of the LP we're treated to this lovely interlude, I've always loved the post-dancefloor introspection present on Electrclash LPs and this one may be my favourite example of them.



Coming back to a frequent one of mine, OPN's closer to R Plus 7 is still as gorgeous as when I first heard it. I can see how some could be a little alienated with the direction OPN takes it towards then end but I adore it throughout. Especially that lush introduction.



-Claude Van Foxbat

Untitled

Hey there, missed me?

Got some tracks for you, if you don't mind. Vanguard put this one on a freebie. It's quite good.



Some of you may call this one old, but I like the old Valerie movement.



Here's our mate Earl Da Grey's track that I posted some pages back - This is how you do a bassline.

Earl Da Grey - War Dogs

Not really a fan of Toro Y Moi's original stuff, but this remix's a cracker.



Anoraak once again with the sound that made him.

Neon Indian · Psychic Chasms (Anoraak Remix)

Finally, SymbolOne prove that they need to release stuff more often, with an amazing synth line.

SymbolOne · Tangerine Dream - Love on a Real Train - SymbolOne rmx

Enjoy!

I've ran out of things to say here,
Alex.