> Subject: Re[2]: (idm) Ae _Untitled_ Review [long]> Subject: Re[2]: (idm) Ae _Untitled_ > Re: (idm) Ae _Untitled_ Review [long]^3

From cardhore
Sent Fri, Jul 31st 1998, 16:46

> From: "Brad Berger" <xxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx>
> Subject: Re[2]: (idm) Ae _Untitled_ Review [long]
>
> in regards to geoff's argument that "Most music, and particularly
> that of Autechre, it is supposed to be an experience--you listen, feel,

> sense--you're not supposed to sit and pick it apart and analyze, etc."
> this is nonsense.  the idea that there is a wrong way and a right way
to enjoy 
> something so subjective as music is ridiculous.

of course, you're right, but i think that SAT-prep vocabulary book
"holier than thou"-type criticism of an Autechre album is rather
humorously out of place.  the reason i most enjoy music like Autechre and
Aphex Twin is the indescribable feelings this music brings that come
through the unknowable.  I'll never know what the hell Autechre were
thinking that made them name this track "underBOAC."  It might be
something really deep, or complex, or emotional, or significant, or
rooted in either Sean or Rob's lives.  It might be something as simple as
a couple of letters randomly thrown together.  But because i can never
know that, the music has an enigmatic quality unique to it, like a girl. 
Not that IDM is a substitute for the mysterious female or anything, but
that's about the only other thing with that sort of charm of the
unknowable.  anyhow, the unknowable quality is being way disrespected by
some kind of attempt at trying to pretend you can figure out exactly what
is on the other side of Autechre's music.  you just can't, it's a bunch
of computer-made blips and synthetic bangs.  Now I am not saying that
electronic music cannot be emotional or whatever, i think electronic
music probably, on the whole gives its listeners more of an honest
feeling than most studio sterilized, overdubbed, multi-tracked guitar
parts, punch in/punch out editing, major label unlimited recording budget
live-instrument music, no matter what these retarded kids will try to
tell you about jazz trumpetists and their "feel" for the instrument. 
Christ, if it's a computer or if it's a lyre, you're not the instrument. 
there is still an instrument, this tool, separating the artist and the
listener, one no more than the other just because it is more intricate. 
You would hardly say a kazoo player is more emotional than a saxaphonist
just because the saxaphone is a more complex instrument, but i digress,
this is a whole different issue entirely.  There is some emotion that
transcends through IDM, but most of the time you're perception is what
controls most of it.  You can never definitively say, "AH!  This little
ditty is about man vs. machine, and man winning, because, unlike the
machine, man has control of his destiny!  Eureka!" or anything like that.


oh jesus, look, now i've done the precise thing we were all having a good
laugh making fun of.  christ, thanks a lot, brad.

hearts&stars,
rjck/xxxxxxxx@xxxx/cex

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