# Top 10 Electronic albums of all time: **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 5, 2008, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016 "2008-04-05T01:04:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016/21 "2008-04-07T16:17:28Z")
[QUOTE=NineToTheSky] Actually, I could fill the whole list with Klaus Schulze (he’s the master), but I 'thought I’d give the others a chance. I also think this list shows electronica in many diverse forms. I think most of the choices so far in this thread prove that electronic music has yet to hit the mainstream! [/QUOTE] Well electronica has taken over the mainstream really. Listen to any Justin Timberlake album. The thing is that electronica goes in so many directions that a lot of these acts just can’t by nature be mainstream. Also, the culture of electronica doesn’t work with mainstream sensibilities. Most electronic music is meant to be mixed by a DJ in a club, and that’s the culture. So stuff that’s not club worthy can’t become a pop hit in the way a rock or pop song can. KMFDM had radio play in the 90s, as did Chemical Brothers, Prodigy, Crystal Method and Orbital. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016/22 "2008-04-07T16:28:50Z")
Most of mine have already been mentioned, but here’s my list (in no order): 1. New Order - Substance 2. Yaz(oo) - Upstairs At Eric’s 3. Aphex Twin - The Richard D. James Album 4. Amon Tobin - Foley Room 5. Tricky - Maxinquaye 6. Kraftwerk - The Man-Machine (just for “The Model” alone) 7. Suicide - Suicide 8. Silver Apples - Silver Apples/Contact 9. Wire - The Ideal Copy (although “Manscape” is an underrated one) 10. Pet Shop Boys - Actually Hm. No Cabaret Voltaire or Throbbing Gristle? ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016/23 "2008-04-07T16:38:14Z")
I’m not an aficionado of electronica, but I _really_ enjoyed Portishead’s _Dummy_. Anybody think it might crack the top ten? ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016/24 "2008-04-07T16:41:11Z")
Holy crap, I’ve never heard Vicious Delicious. Mind bringing it up when you guys eventually come over for dinner? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![fusoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@fusoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fusoya)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016/25 "2008-04-07T17:01:47Z")
I’m amazed. Vicious Delicious is the last album I listened to, before I lent my ipod away last week. Great stuff, but I’m (happily) surprised it was #1 on someone’s list. Personally, I prefer Second Toughest in the Infants above dubnobasswithmyheadman, and would probably be #1 on my list if I had my ipod here to better write one. Now I need to listen to the new Moby album _ducksandruns_ ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016/26 "2008-04-07T17:42:54Z")
[QUOTE=Ogre] I’m not an aficionado of electronica, but I _really_ enjoyed Portishead’s _Dummy_. Anybody think it might crack the top ten? [/QUOTE] Damn! Throw Portishead in somewhere on my list. This is what I get for posting before coffee. ETA: That’s Portishead’s second album, which I prefer to _Dummy_. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016/27 "2008-04-07T19:01:03Z")
Sorry, can’t think of albums or a top ten but in my view: Tangerine Dream for making synthesizors into music and getting it accepted. Gary Numan for popularizing it. Yello for kicking ass with it. Ministry ‘Twitch’ for adding sampling, and making industrial. The Cure ‘Pornography’ for being cool and making a few generations of kids dye their hair black and wear mascara. ---
**Author:** ![Qwertyasdfg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ecc23a/32.png) [@Qwertyasdfg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwertyasdfg)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016/28 "2008-04-07T19:07:48Z")
Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works 85-92 Boards of Canada - Music has the Right to Children 4hero - Parallel Universe Prodigy - Experience Inner City- Big Fun Orbital - Orbital 2 Basement Jaxx - Rooty Biosphere - Microgravity KLF - Chill Out Prodigy - The Fat of the Land ---
**Author:** ![Kuboydal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecb155/32.png) [@Kuboydal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kuboydal)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016/29 "2008-04-07T19:54:58Z")
It seems none that I have are or listen to are considered ‘electronic enough.’ For instance, tell if Stereolab applies and I will make a list. Until then, I give a shout out to Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music. It’s not good, but it’s a good way to escape a record contract. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016/30 "2008-04-07T20:46:11Z")
People are mentioning some good stuff. I am glad someone else like ‘Foley Room’ as much as I did. **fusoya** I wouldn’t say it is number 1 of all time, but it’s been in heavy rotation lately. I don’t know that the list is really in order. Portishead - Portishead is definitely deserving of a mention. A top ten list is really an imprecise animal. So many things deserve the list, but you have to pair it down. I have gone back and forth between Portishead and Dummy though. They are both fabulous albums. Lately I am back on liking Portishead better. **Maeglin** Definitely. We are looking at places up in your area too. 😉 The guy from Tsunami sent me a letter asking if I wanted to bid on producing the New York show of Juno Reactor’s tour in October. I really considered it and then realized it was unrealistic. I’ll definitely try and hit that show though. I regret missing them. When I interviewed Velvet Acid Christ on the same night they played I asked him, “I am missing Juno Reactor to be here, is it worth it?”, without missing a beat he said, “No, have you ever seen them live? They have a great set with a huge African drum section.” (For those who don’t know look up Amampondo) sp? Infected Mushroom is good live, but unfortunately the only play in New York at the big guido clubs. They’re a little too mainstream to be enjoyable live. Meanwhile, I’ve been listening to a lot of ‘The Wiggles’ lately. Which would seem like punishment until you realize the alternative is reading the same stupid book about trains for the 5th time in a row. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016/31 "2008-04-07T20:47:46Z")
[QUOTE=Kuboydal] It seems none that I have are or listen to are considered ‘electronic enough.’ For instance, tell if Stereolab applies and I will make a list. Until then, I give a shout out to Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music. It’s not good, but it’s a good way to escape a record contract. [/QUOTE] If it has synths and samplers, it counts. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016/32 "2008-04-07T21:03:30Z")
[QUOTE=mswas] **Maeglin** Definitely. We are looking at places up in your area too. 😉 [/quote] So I hear. Let me know when you have good news. > [@](#): > > Infected Mushroom is good live, but unfortunately the only play in New York at the big guido clubs. They’re a little too mainstream to be enjoyable live. Lord yes. I _did_ go see them live at Avalon a few years ago. Unfortunately, it was awful. I am not jealous by nature, but it is not easy to kick back and enjoy the music when the Westchester and Lon Gisland douchebags are constantly groping your wife. I have never had more people try to start shit with me in a short period in my entire life. And despite all that, it would have been worth it had their set not sucked. But it did. > [@](#): > > Meanwhile, I’ve been listening to a lot of ‘The Wiggles’ lately. Which would seem like punishment until you realize the alternative is reading the same stupid book about trains for the 5th time in a row. 😉 I have all of this to look forward to someday. Gee whiz. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016/33 "2008-04-07T21:03:56Z")
[QUOTE=mswas] If it has synths and samplers, it counts. [/QUOTE] It doesn’t, yet it’s undoubtedly “electronic”. I play my copy whenever I want to clear a party out. Works like a charm. ---
**Author:** ![Kuboydal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecb155/32.png) [@Kuboydal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kuboydal)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016/34 "2008-04-08T01:19:41Z")
1 Kraftwerk- autobahn 2,3,4 Stereolab- Emperor Tomato Ketchup, mars Audiac Quintet, Transient Random Noise Bursts with Announcements 5, 6 Air- 10,000 Hz Star, Moon Safari 7 Mike Oldfield- Deep breakfast 8 Pink Floyd- Wish You Were Here dreat, dinner tim ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016/35 "2008-04-08T01:56:07Z")
No **Coil**? Shame on all of you. ---
**Author:** ![Tool\_of\_the\_Conspiracy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@Tool\_of\_the\_Conspiracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tool_of_the_Conspiracy)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016/36 "2008-04-08T03:18:00Z")
I’m not a big electronic fan, so I’ll nominate only three that I don’t see mentioned yet: **Nine Inch Nails** _Pretty Hate Machine_ **Machines of Loving Grace** _Concentration_ **Depeche Mode** _Violator_ I love Portishead, but I don’t consider them electronic. (Others could say the same about NIN and MLG.) ---
**Author:** ![Fourth\_Wall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Fourth\_Wall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fourth_Wall)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016/37 "2008-04-08T09:53:45Z")
1. Roger Powell - _Cosmic Furnace_ 2. Jan Hammer - _The First Seven Days_ 3. Walter Carlos - _Switched-On Bach_ 4. Todd Rundgren - _Initiation (2nd side)_ 5. Tomita - _Snowflakes Are Dancing_ 6. Tangerine Dream - _Phaedra_ 7. Jean Yves (M. Frog) Labat - _M. Frog_ 8. Todd Rundgren - _A Wizard, A True Star_ 9. Stardrive (Robert Mason) - _Intergalactic Trot_ 10. Larry Fast - _Electronic Realizations For Rock Orchestra_ 11. Malcolm Cecil / Robert Margouleff (TONTO) - _Zero Time_ ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016/38 "2008-04-08T11:38:20Z")
Any place for [Air](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_%28band%29)? ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016/39 "2008-04-08T15:24:27Z")
[QUOTE=Boyo Jim] A granddaddy album: _I Robot_ by the\*\* Alan Parsons Project\*\*. [/QUOTE] Does a giant, moon-based “laserbeam” really count? … what? … Oh, the other Alan Parsons Project. 😃 Other wise I just want to give a little more love for **Kraftwerk** and **Suicide** (Cheree was the song that introduced me to electronica) ---
**Author:** ![Kuboydal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecb155/32.png) [@Kuboydal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kuboydal)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016/40 "2008-04-08T15:41:14Z")
[QUOTE=Fourth Wall] 1. Todd Rundgren - _A Wizard, A True Star_ [/QUOTE] I may have seen Todd Rundgren playing piano at a bar last year. Everyone had heard of him… but that was about it. One guy claimed that the mystery person seemed to know all of Rundgren’s songs and another guy walked up to him and claimed he was dead. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-electronic-albums-of-all-time/444016.md?page=3)