The following article is part of an eight part series exploring my thoughts on the state of electronic music in the current decade compared to the 1990's and 1980's.
--------------------------------------------------------------The 1990's saw the emergence of the modern dance scene and modern electronic music with the explosion of the urban sub-culture responding to the punk and grunge era before it. People wanted something fresh, they wanted something raw, they wanted something new, and perhaps most importantly, they wanted to dance and socialize to. Not only was a new music created, but an entire culture. It was through the 1990's that most of the genres that we commonly associate with electronic music were founded and defined; ranging from Drum n’ Bass to Trance to Trip Hop. All of these genres grew as derivatives of other genres in the ever changing evolution that was occuring. The music as a whole was continually morphing, evolving and growing throughout the entire decade, and as it did so the underlying counterculture that it created. In this growth period the 1990's showcased the emergence of some of the most influential electronic artists of the scene, who to this day continue to remain most of the biggest names and iconic creative artists. Underworld, Prodigy, Orbital, the Orb, Meat Beat Manifesto, Goldie, AK1200, Future Sounds of London, Aphex Twin, Autchre, Coldcut, Daft Punk, Chemical Brothers and many more. Even to this day most of these names are recognizable to people (under the age of 35) who do not even listen to electronic music. One of the problems however is that since 2000 there has been little if any establishment of new artists positioned to take over the reigns from the first generation of modern electronic innovators.These first generation contemporary artists went onto release some of the most ground breaking albums in the history of electronic music and broke sound boundaries while redefining what many of us even considered music. They literally created the genres and definitions that we associate with today in the electronic scene. Even now, fifteen or more years later you can continue to hear many of these artists and songs on the radio and they continue to sound refreshing, modern and creative. Most of these artists could have released these tracks and albums this very day and they would still sound as fresh and relevant to the listener as ever. Underworld's "Born Slippy", Orbital's "Halcyon + on +on", or Prodigy's "Smack My Bitch Up" all are examples that could be chart toppers if heard for the first time on the radio.Just looking at the impact of releases on the scene since the turn of the century, there are few, if any artists or albums that can truly standout as long lasting in the eyes of this writer. As you are reading this article now, how many tracks or albums can you identify as being creatively groundbreaking, culturally accessible and truly innovative while still maintaining the ability to remain relevant and interesting ten or more years from now? Can you name a single song or album?Other Chapters in this writing:
.:Part I:The Decade That Should Have Been:.
.:Part II:Where Electronic Music Was:.
.:Part III:Who is to Blame?:.
.:Part IV: The Sound:.
.:Part V: The Tools:.
.:Part VI: Internet:.
.:Part VII: The Artists:.
.:Part VIII: The Birth of the Renaissance:.Stay Tuned for Part III: Who is to Blame?
Tags: The Electronic Renaissance Part I: The Decade That Should Have Been Article
--------------------------------------------------------------The 1990's saw the emergence of the modern dance scene and modern electronic music with the explosion of the urban sub-culture responding to the punk and grunge era before it. People wanted something fresh, they wanted something raw, they wanted something new, and perhaps most importantly, they wanted to dance and socialize to. Not only was a new music created, but an entire culture. It was through the 1990's that most of the genres that we commonly associate with electronic music were founded and defined; ranging from Drum n’ Bass to Trance to Trip Hop. All of these genres grew as derivatives of other genres in the ever changing evolution that was occuring. The music as a whole was continually morphing, evolving and growing throughout the entire decade, and as it did so the underlying counterculture that it created. In this growth period the 1990's showcased the emergence of some of the most influential electronic artists of the scene, who to this day continue to remain most of the biggest names and iconic creative artists. Underworld, Prodigy, Orbital, the Orb, Meat Beat Manifesto, Goldie, AK1200, Future Sounds of London, Aphex Twin, Autchre, Coldcut, Daft Punk, Chemical Brothers and many more. Even to this day most of these names are recognizable to people (under the age of 35) who do not even listen to electronic music. One of the problems however is that since 2000 there has been little if any establishment of new artists positioned to take over the reigns from the first generation of modern electronic innovators.These first generation contemporary artists went onto release some of the most ground breaking albums in the history of electronic music and broke sound boundaries while redefining what many of us even considered music. They literally created the genres and definitions that we associate with today in the electronic scene. Even now, fifteen or more years later you can continue to hear many of these artists and songs on the radio and they continue to sound refreshing, modern and creative. Most of these artists could have released these tracks and albums this very day and they would still sound as fresh and relevant to the listener as ever. Underworld's "Born Slippy", Orbital's "Halcyon + on +on", or Prodigy's "Smack My Bitch Up" all are examples that could be chart toppers if heard for the first time on the radio.Just looking at the impact of releases on the scene since the turn of the century, there are few, if any artists or albums that can truly standout as long lasting in the eyes of this writer. As you are reading this article now, how many tracks or albums can you identify as being creatively groundbreaking, culturally accessible and truly innovative while still maintaining the ability to remain relevant and interesting ten or more years from now? Can you name a single song or album?Other Chapters in this writing:
.:Part I:The Decade That Should Have Been:.
.:Part II:Where Electronic Music Was:.
.:Part III:Who is to Blame?:.
.:Part IV: The Sound:.
.:Part V: The Tools:.
.:Part VI: Internet:.
.:Part VII: The Artists:.
.:Part VIII: The Birth of the Renaissance:.Stay Tuned for Part III: Who is to Blame?
Tags: The Electronic Renaissance Part I: The Decade That Should Have Been Article