So here's the deal. I always argue that there's something of worth in every genre of music. So last year I learned to appreciate country music, after dissing it for years.

Now, I'm trying electronica. Is that even a term? I don't know much about electronic music, but I feel I should put my money where my mouth is, and learn to appreciate some form of it.

The closest I get to "electronica" (I apologize if I'm using that term incorrectly or misapplying it here) are the three albums of U2's where they seemed to be influenced by electronic music (Achtung Baby, Zooropa, Pop--which I'm really into right now. I never bought it because it was so heavily hated when it was released, but I'm digging it right now). I liked Madonna's "Ray of Light", but can't stand "American Life." I also own that Fatboy Slim album everyone owns "You've Come A Long Way, Baby" and I own one Portishead album, "Dummy."

I really like U2's "Pop" because it's slightly dystopian without being too dark, and the little electronic blips, on this album, or any album, always make me laugh like a schoolboy.

Can you recommend something? I've tried the latest Basement Jaxx album, and it didn't do anything for me. That constant house (?) beat drove me a little crazy, though I'm willing to give the album another try. I know nothing about Moby or Chemical Brothers, so I'm game for recommendations.

I've tried this website http://www.ishkur.com/features/music/index.htm#, and I did a search at this forum, but found everything too general to help me. Can you help a brother out????

One of the most mind-bendingly great electronic albums I've heard in the past couple years is The Notwist's Neon Golden. I really can't emphasize the incredible accessibility and intelligence of their organic instrumentation and electronic bleeps/glitches blend. You can find it for a decent price in just about any store -- I think I've seen it for $11 in Circuit City.

I've gotta run to class but I'll run a longer list later. Get this album.

Fluke - Absurd -likely you will know one of the songs from a vw commercial several years ago.

Moby like you mentioned is popular and both 18 and Play appeal to the masses more so than the earlier work.


I'd suggest Air - Moon Safari as an excellent album.

I know others will chime in with a lot of suggestions.

I'm not an electronica expert, but enjoy a bunch of albums in this field.

If you want music that is pretty, sexy and simply mighty sweet you have to get "Moon Safari" by Air. Also "Simple Things" by Zero 7 is similar.

I've seen people cut down "Play" by Moby, but the only reason I can imagine this is that maybe they are sick of him all over the place. You can't go wrong with "Play" at all... a very generous dose of music and almost all of it is insanely good.

If you want some heavy and brooding music go for "Mezzanine" by Massive Attack. GREAT disc.

Hooverphonic "Blue Wonder Power Milk" is also nice... think Portishead, but not nearly as dark.

There are a lot of smaller bands out there like Broadcast, Her Space Holiday and High Llamas that have some cool songs, but I'd investigate first. Stereolab is another band with some great output as well.

And you know I only scratched the surface!

You beat me to it, but we won't be alone suggesting this one!

hmm well i dunno if you want glitchy or electronic..stuff that comes to mind. Any of their albums are good, I just name particular ones if they stand out.
Mum - Finally We Are No One
Bjork
Underworld - Beaucop Fish
Massive Attack - Mezzanine
DJ Shadow - Entroducing, The Private Press
Amon Tobin - Supermodified, Out From Outwhere
Aphex Twin - Richard D. James Album
Squarepusher
Four Tet
Faithless
Unkle - Psyence Fiction
Recoil - Liquid
Hooverphonic
Red Snapper
Nightmares On Wax
Richie Hawtin aka Plastikman
Autechre
Matmos
National Skyline - This=Everything
Air
Tweaker - The Attraction To All Things Uncertain
Black Box Recorder
Goldfrapp
Emilana Torrini - Love In The Time Of Science
..i'll think of some more

Not sure on the categories, but here's one that I like:

Shpongle

Anything by Orbital

Perhaps BT, Telepopmusik, Theivery Corporation

My suggestions...

Mostly mainstream
Crystal Method
Chemical Brothers
BT
Paul Van Dyk
Paul Oakenfold
Underworld
Massive Attack (more "trip-hop" than "electronica" but one of my favorites)

Lesser known
Röyksopp
Jakatta
Leftfield
Chicane
Cirrus

My picks have a few repeats with what has already been suggested, but I really recommend that you check out at least the first 3 from my list of Lesser knowns.

How about:

Orbital
The Orb
Telepopmusik
GusGus - Especially "Attention"
Propellerheads - the one album isn't bad
Prodigy - The early stuff is pretty great
Faithless
Everything But The Girl
FSOL
Death in Vegas - 2nd album is awesome
Banco De Gaia

Some of my favorites:

BT
Tiesto
Paul Oakenfold (mostly his older material)
Sasha & Digweed
Paul Van Dyk

Basically anything from the Global Underground series.

My personal favorite electronic music would be Orbital though.

Check out www.di.fm and figure out what you like.

Try Rob Dougan's Furious Angels. It's a mix of electronica and symphony. He's the guy that wrote "Clubbed to Death," and his music is all over the place now. Second most licensed album after Moby's Play.

Yeah Rob Dougan is cool, the only thing I didn't like is how furious angels is basically a variation of clubbed to death.

I was hoping his drum beats would be more complex and not as simple, which moby has gone the way of simplicity also.

check out
-- Plaid's:
"Not for Threes Nothing"
"Rest Proof Clockwork"

-- Banco De Gaia
-- Deep Forest - the live album is alot of fun.
-- Mouse on Mars
-- Baby Mammoth
-- The Egg
-- Bent
-- Lemon Jelly

I think there's enough variation in the album that only about three other songs sound (somewhat) like "Clubbed to Death." He does tend to reuse the same bass progression in some of his songs. I'd rather have someone use a less complex beat than try to sound like a genius (and failing) with a drum machine. Anyways, repetitive or not, I still think it's effective music.

Faithless, Faithless, Faithless.

Also, I have a soft spot for Dot Allison. "We're Only Science" is an underappreciated album.

RS

What do you think of the track "Strung Out"? That's my favorite.

I've never played "Strung Out" for someone and had them not come back with, "that song kicks ass." She's outstanding.

RS

I won't repeat any of the previous artists listed, most are a fair to good introduction to the genre. However, several important notes regarding electronic music:

It is very much a singles-oriented genre, there are very few proper full-length albums, and even fewer good ones. In other words, you probably won't find much of interest at your Best Buys or even chain music stores. Check out a local vinyl shop, most are very helpful and eager to help out new customers.

Second, with very few exceptions, almost anything that is quality simply doesn't exist on CD. Quality tracks and new releases are almost exclusively on vinyl. The tracks that make it to cd are your typical trance/cheese-pop, or quality material that is simply too old by the time it sees cd.

Third, please don't pay attention to your local dance music station. KDL here in Dallas is an embarrassment to anyone who ever set foot on a dancefloor. Seek out what you are looking for, and I guarantee you'll find alot of material a whole lot better than the latest offerings from BT or Moby...

After you've checked some stuff out, let us know what you like and maybe we can suggest further.

Jon

Tiga * DJ Kicks
Chicken Lips * DJ Kicks

I Just got these two albums and really liked it.

check out www.digitallyimported.com

has a handful of really solid streaming trance/electronica/house stations..

Thanks for the recommendations so far. I'll post once I start listening to stuff, which should be in the next few days.

Lovage
Morcheeba
Felix Da Housecat
Massive Attack
Moby
Air
Goldfrap - Felt Mountain
Bjork
Black Box Recorder
Sigur Ros
Fischerspooner
Sneaker Pimps
Lamb
Tricky
DJ Spooky
Nightmares on Wax

For the most promising albums, of bands above, just go to Allmusic.com for a decent reference. Happy listening.