From Michael J Makunas Sent Wed, Oct 22nd 1997, 04:38
From Michael J Makunas Sent Wed, Oct 22nd 1997, 04:38
Adam J Weitzman wrote: > > Why do I like Orbital? Looks like some beat me to my own post :) (note: I've just caught up with about five days of IDM posts so replies may contain a few forward references) > > Because they're one of the few electronic artists who are strong enough > to imbue their music with emotional content. From "Belfast" to > "Halcyon" to "Are We Here?" to "The Box," it has always sounded to me > like they poured their state of mind into the beats, which are clever > and interesting enough by themselves oftentimes, but really kick when > set against the melodies. Exactly. To me there are two things that make me love music as much as I do. The first is it's ability to evoke emotion. Orbital can evokes more emotion for me than ANYONE else (regardless of genre). The way they consistently place their notes in the perfect place and make their music peak at just the right moment blows my mind. The second thing is the use of patterns. One of most satisfying things about IDM is it's emphasis on patterns. Instead of focusing solely on a melody and some lyrics, it focuses more on interactions within the song. Orbital does this like no one else, especially on In Sides (which I think is their best). Many of you (even those who like Orbital) seem to think that they are simplistic. That couldn't be farther from the truth. Their music is as complex as AFX, Autechre, you name it. By complexity I mean things like the way the melody on The Box is implied and not actual. You here one thing but if you listen closely you realize it is something else. It's analogous to an optical illusion. Or the way Out There Somewhere? evolves over almost 20 minutes from one thing to another that, if taken out of context, sounds almost completely unrelated, but put together they mesh perfectly. I've never heard any other IDM artist that can do these things as well as Orbital. If anyone has, please let me know. I hope this made some sense. It's late and the caffeine's wearing off. -Michael > There is a legitimate contrast between Orbital and, say, AFX. Orbital's > music is often (though not always) not as complex, and they don't really > "mess around" as much, not really taking as many chances. But despite > this, I believe they have something AFX doesn't have. We all know AFX's > purported attitude towards his music, and frankly, it shows, brilliant > though it is. But there is somthing to be said for the "soul" of a > piece of music, and Orbital has it in spades. > > Often there is an association made between "emotion" and "pop," as > though it cheapens the material if there is any attempt behind it to > evoke a feeling. I don't feel that way personally. I also don't feel > that the tools Orbital uses to produce their tracks are "pop"-based, nor > generally are the results. They experiment enough to keep the music > interesting, and it's not like any of it would fit in on your local > hit-radio station, though it may be comparatively "simpler" than your > typical Autechre track. It may not be as interesting technically, but > it can be more involving on a personal level as you interact with the > music, and to me, that's not a bad thing at all. > > Orbital compose music of vast energy and scope, and I respect them a > lot. > > -- Adam J Weitzman -- Individual, Inc. -- http://www.individual.com -- > "We need your fax number in order to respect your wishes not to > receive unsolicited faxes." - a Microsoft registration screen