# Help for a new electronic music fan **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 4, 2004, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119 "2004-12-04T22:38:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Club\_33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@Club\_33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Club_33)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2004, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119/1 "2004-12-04T22:38:06Z")
I’m trying to learn more about a particular style of music that I’m growing more fond of. To be honest, I don’t know exactly what it is though and that’s where you come in. I really like Crystal Method, prodigy, and the Chemical Bros. When I try to do searches for this type of music however, I see many different sub-catagories such as: trance, drum/bass, jungle, electronica, ambient, house, industrial, etc… Can someone begin to give me a little insight into what the differences are and what, based on my examples above, would be something I might enjoy? Any help would be appreciated! ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2004, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119/2 "2004-12-04T22:47:27Z")
I guess the two that I’d recommend as mainstays of recent music are Orbital (_In Sides_ is unmissable) and Aphex Twin. Other than that, there’s no harm in going back to basics, and getting some Kraftwerk. It stands the test of time better than most. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2004, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119/3 "2004-12-04T23:14:21Z")
There is an okay listing for electronic genres on [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_electronic_music_genres). There is also a kinda fun list with hundreds of music samples [here](http://www.ishkur.com/music/#). It might give you an idea of which direction you might be interested in checking out. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2004, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119/4 "2004-12-04T23:39:10Z")
You could do worse than to poke around the [AllMusic Guide](http://www.allmusic.com). Ishkur’s guide (posted by **interface2x** ) is also good. ---
**Author:** ![Club\_33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@Club\_33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Club_33)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119/5 "2004-12-05T03:26:13Z")
That definitely provides a good starting point! It seems like a lot to decipher but at least I can get a few examples of artists under each style and listen to see what I like. Thanks for the help. And if anyone else has more to add, please feel free! ---
**Author:** ![Talon\_Karrde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119/6 "2004-12-05T03:28:29Z")
I don’t know if this counts as an electronic band, but I love New Order. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119/7 "2004-12-05T05:52:17Z")
I’m far from an expert on this sprawling genre, but the first Portishead album, pretty much anything by Massive Attack, and Morcheeba are all worth a listen. I recently picked up the first album by the Belgian outfit Hooverphonic (_A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular_) and have to consider it something of an overlooked classic (In Houston, Texas, at least). My understanding is that their later albums have moved away from electronica, however. I’ve also stumbled on some things in the IDM vein that are pretty far out there, but that I’d highly recommend: _Music has the Right to Children_ by Boards of Canada, and _Tri Repetae_, by Autechre. The former group makes amazing sonic collages out of densely-layered bits of ambient sounds, warped voice tracks from educational films and old analogue electronics, while the latter creates pieces that sound as if they were made by Marvin the Paranoid Android from one of Douglas Adams’ books. ---
**Author:** ![WorkinLate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@WorkinLate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WorkinLate)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119/8 "2004-12-06T21:58:22Z")
I listen mostly to Trance, and I’m pretty much out of the scene since the birth of my boys, but I like: Dave Seaman - especially Back To Mine if you can find it. BTW, if anyone knows where I can buy a copy, I’d be very grateful. Paul Van Dyk Sasha Digweed ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119/9 "2004-12-07T03:11:23Z")
For trance, I recommend the Dutch masters: Tiësto, Armin van Buuren & Ferry Corsten. ---
**Author:** ![audiobottle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@audiobottle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audiobottle)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119/10 "2004-12-07T03:34:47Z")
I have only a passing familiarity with the entire genre, but I really, really recommend Amon Tobin’s Bricolage (he also has an alter-ego, Cujo, under which he released “Adventures in Foam,” another great album). I also like Diesel Boy for something heavier. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119/11 "2004-12-07T05:36:20Z")
> [@Club 33](#): > > I really like Crystal Method, prodigy, and the Chemical Bros. When I try to do searches for this type of music however, I see many different sub-catagories such as: trance, drum/bass, jungle, electronica, ambient, house, industrial, etc… It’s sometimes hard to tell the difference, but this is my understanding of how some of the major genres are defined: Trance - Soft hypnotic sounds. Maybe soft female vocal tracks. Sasha & Digweeds Northern Exposures CD is a good example. Drum & Base - Hard, rapid beats. Chemical Brothers “Block Rockin Beats” for example. Jungle - Not sure but probably dance music with kind of a thumping base - like a jungle beat. Maybe a group like 2 Unlimited ("yall ready for this…DUSH DUSH DUDUSH) Ambient - Not sure either but I think it’s similar to trance. As the name implies, the kind of music you might hear in the background in a lounge but not pay much attention to. House - Basically what I call “gay dance music”. That kind of remixed disco dance sound you might hear in an epidode of Sex in the City or something. Industrial - A heaver “industrial” sound like machinery or something - Prodigy, Crystal Method, Stabbing Westward, the “Blade” song (New Order). I’m not an expert, but thats how I would sort it on my iPod. I recommend the following: Paul Oakenfold Ministry of Sound mixes Sasha Digweed ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119/12 "2004-12-07T05:43:51Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Ambient - Not sure either but I think it’s similar to trance. As the name implies, the kind of music you might hear in the background in a lounge but not pay much attention to. Ambient music tends not to have much in the way of rhythm or melody. It’s not quite just pleasant noise, but it can be close. Steve Roach is one of the big names of the genre. > [@](#): > > Industrial - A heaver “industrial” sound like machinery or something - Prodigy, Crystal Method, Stabbing Westward, the “Blade” song (New Order). Industrial started out as a more electronic version of some of the experimental music of the mid-20th century. As time went on, the experimentation was downplayed and the beat was emphasized, leading to industrial dance. Then somebody got the idea to add heavy guitars, and industrial metal was born. The archetypal industrial bands are probably Front 242 (industrial dance), Ministry (industrial metal), and Einstürzende Neubauten (avant-garde industrial). ---
**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119/13 "2004-12-07T06:16:42Z")
I’ve got to strongly recommend, in addition to the above mentioned artists, definitely check out The Propellerheads and a bunch of Portishead. If you like some live instrumentation mixed in, Portishead is the way to go; on the industrial side, NIN/Trent Reznor has it going on too. Recently, I promoted a one-off show here in Madison with a band of Asheville, NC called [SeePeopleS](http://www.seepeoples.com) that blew me away. There a four piece - drums and bass (crazy tight and very deep in both the electronic and funk pockets, and a guitar player who does tons of looping and effects on the guitar, as well as playing keyboard and sampler. They also had another keyboard player (Pete Pisarcyk) who is an original member of Parliament and also plays with George Clinton’s Funk Mob. Both of their cd’s are really well done, and very impressive. I’m pretty sure a fair amount of music is on their site as well. Note: I have NO affiliation with this band in any capacity - I helped them out with a last minute date, and they played a mind-blowing show on a rainy monday for 8 people, and were gracious about doing so. I merely think they what you’re looking for, and do it well; I will always support young artists who are doing this for the right reasons. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119/14 "2004-12-07T07:20:13Z")
_Air_ is really good. George Acosta has done some pretty good work, too. And if you find any Trance compilations CD’s with the song _Gouryella_ on it, pick it up… that one seems to be a standard among electronica artists (though I don’t know who first did it… Acosta had it on his _Awake_ album, and that was the first time I’d heard it, but I’m pretty sure it was someone else originally). ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119/15 "2004-12-07T15:06:35Z")
From what your listening to (some of my favorites) i’d also recommend Propellerheads (find a sample of Take California). Juno Reactor is also good, I think they did a lot of the music for the Matrix. ---
**Author:** ![bughunter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@bughunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bughunter)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119/16 "2004-12-07T21:03:05Z")
Well, rather than make recommendations about specific artists or genres, I’ll just tell you what I did when I first explored electronic music, and what worked best. - Go to a record store with listening stations, or better, one that will play discs for you on a listening bar. Explore the music there, and buy what you like. (Tower Records used to accept exchanges of opened CDs within 14 days-- I’d spend $100 on attractive prospects, and listen to them. The ones I didn’t like, I’d return for store credit, and repeat the process until I’d gotten $100 of music I like. Sadly, they don’t have such a generous return policy anymore.) - Get on Kazaa or Limewire or whatever P2P network you like, and explore the genre. If you like an artist, go buy some of their CDs. This worked OK, but the audio quality was inconsistent. - Use iTunes or WMP radio and listen to some of the stations there. Most have websites that display a “currently playing” banner. If you hear something you like, make a note of the artist and title. This was very successful for me. - Stick around after movies with soundtracks featuring the music you like – e.g. Swordfish or The Matrix – and note the artists and titles. Go buy the soundtracks. (I went straight to the record store after seeing The Matrix and bought the soundtrack, and I still listen to it regularly.) ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119/17 "2004-12-07T21:21:47Z")
> [@SPOOFE](#): > > _Air_ is really good. George Acosta has done some pretty good work, too. And if you find any Trance compilations CD’s with the song _Gouryella_ on it, pick it up… that one seems to be a standard among electronica artists (though I don’t know who first did it… Acosta had it on his _Awake_ album, and that was the first time I’d heard it, but I’m pretty sure it was someone else originally). I think _Gouryella_ (by Gouryella) = Ferry Corsten & Tiësto. Also look for _Ligaya_ & _Walhalla_ by Gouryella. My favorite mix trance CDs: **Boundaries of Imagination** , **A State of Trance 2004** & **Transparance** by Armin van Buuren **In Search of Sunrise 3** , **Nyana** & **Parade of the Athletes** by Tiësto **Another World** , **Tranceport** & **Great Wall** by Paul Oakenfold Air is great, but are they electronic music? ---
**Author:** ![Club\_33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@Club\_33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Club_33)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2004, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119/18 "2004-12-07T21:50:48Z")
Y’all are awesome! You’ve given me many options to check out and I really appreciate all of the advice and recommendations. I’ve got some listening to do! Thanks again. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119/19 "2004-12-08T02:46:56Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > From what your listening to (some of my favorites) i’d also recommend Propellerheads (find a sample of Take California). > Juno Reactor is also good, I think they did a lot of the music for the Matrix. They did, including the car chase music in Reloaded. ---
**Author:** ![buns3000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@buns3000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buns3000)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-new-electronic-music-fan/278119/20 "2004-12-08T04:22:09Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > I’ve also stumbled on some things in the IDM vein that are pretty far out there, but that I’d highly recommend: _Music has the Right to Children_ by Boards of Canada, and _Tri Repetae_, by Autechre. Word. Must haves. Other stuff: Fennesz’s albums _Endless Summer_ and_Venice_, esp the latter which just came out this year which again I’d file under “must have”. Gram’s _Personal Rock_ (may be a little hard to come by) Mouse on Mars - anything earlier than _Niun Niggung_ which is where it all went horribly wrong for them. Autechre - _Amber_, _Incunabula_ Enjoy.