FriendBurst Blog

Tim Simenon had his finger on the pulse in 1988.  He and Pascal Gabriel had loads of fun, putting together a sample-heavy dance album – inspired by hip-hop and acid house.  The first Bomb The Bass single (Beat Dis) became an instant dance classic, upon its release.  Subsequent singles from Into The Dragon were also popular.  Tim Simenon was hired to remix various tracks; most notably for Depeche Mode.

Unknown Territory is a darker album – still loaded with samples.  It was the transition between the first album and Tim Simenon’s masterpiece (Clear).  Then he produced Depeche Mode’s Ultra.  He re-emerged over a decade later, with Future Chaos.  He worked with several vocalists, including Paul Conboy and Mark Lanegan.  Just eighteen months after that, Back To Light was released (but not before releasing four singles in as many months).  It has a similar style (effervescent disco-tinged songs, with a dark undercurrent).  These last two albums sound completely different, compared with the early material.  They demonstrate Tim Simenon’s versatility – and the fact that he is a great producer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI6P0n4mJao

I’ve always liked David Bowie, but I only have Best Of Bowie.  Even though it is a double-disc collection and contains most of Bowie’s hit singles, it is not quite adequate.  It covers a period of thirty three years, and no fewer than twenty five albums were released altogether.  There are thirty nine songs on Best Of Bowie, but a lot of singles had to be omitted.  A four-disc box-set is needed.  Bowie has only released one album, since Best Of Bowie.

Broadcast was a Birmingham-based independent band.  Warp Records usually signs electronic acts.  There are electronic elements in Broadcast’s music, but also a lot of ‘proper’ instruments (including real drums).  It is moody neo-psychedelia – inspired partly by the US band The United States Of America (and early Pink Floyd, no doubt).  In turn, Goldfrapp may have been influenced by Broadcast (Felt Mountain is not dissimilar to some of Broadcast’s music).  The first two albums (Work And Non Work and The Noise Made By People) contain the band’s best songs (and the compilation The Future Crayon mainly covers the period 1998 and 2001).  Haha Sound and Tender Buttons are not particularly good albums, in my opinion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxrr0o23j_8

Buck 65 (Richard Terfry) is a Canadian rapper and turntablist, with a unique style.  Each song vividly tells a story – and each story provides the listener with details of rough living and debauchery (complete with various interesting and unsavoury characters).  It is thoroughly absorbing stuff.  The music itself (underground hip-hop) is dark and gritty and complements the lyrics perfectly.  The tracks are often built around samples – especially on the early albums.  The Language Arts series (1996 to 2002) contains Buck 65’s best work.  Talkin’ Honky Blues is similar.  The next album (Secret House Against The World) was an odd departure from the usual style – and not in a good way (rap doesn’t gel too well with country music).  Situation was a return to the original sound (although perhaps with less authenticity).  Buck 65’s last album (20 Odd Years) isn’t particularly appealing.

From hip-hop to dubstep: Burial (William Bevan) is one of the genre’s best producers.  There are several Burial remixes (including Thom Yorke and Bloc Party tracks).  There are two albums (Burial and Untrue).  Best heard through headphones, the atmospheres are intriguing.  The rhythms are a bit ‘samey’ though.  I’ve normally had enough by the end of each album.  The production is excellent.  I find Burial’s ‘dubby’ music relaxing – even though there are heavy disjointed rhythms on most of the tracks.  Burial is rumoured to be remixing Massive Attack’s last album (Heligoland).  No release date has been set though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlEkvbRmfrA

Further listening

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfG8O_Fq_vg