folktronica... aparently it's the new buzzword. everywhere from the BBC to Wikipedia, they're talking about how this new breed of electro-acoustic music is changing the face of electronica and folk alike.
so what's your take on it?
and what are your favorite records of the genre (if you believe a genre truly exists)
here are mine:
Four Tet - Rounds
generally considered the album that started the genre. I'd disagree with that completely, but hey, it's one hell of an album, so I'm not going to bother arguing. the drum machines alert you that this is electronica you're listening to, but the overrall sound is so organic that it's easy to ignore.
Manitoba - Up In Flames
with blaring horns and a string section chopped up and rearranged into psychedlic bliss, this is a feel good, summertime album that makes all the IDM heads want to leave their laptops in the dark basement and go lie in a big open field in the sunshine. less folk-influenced than some of the others on the list, but still well worth a mention.
Caribou - The Milk of Human Kindness
it seems that with every album he makes, Dan Snaith completely reinvents himself. his first album as Manitoba, Start Breaking My Heart, was a frenetic, blissed out romp through oddly-timed, densely layerd drum machine loops. his second album... well i just told you about that one. now, his third album comes with a name change too (though that wasn't quite his idea... blame grumpy old rockstar Handsome Dick Manitoba for that one). but it comes at a perfect time, and the rustic images brought to mind by the name Caribou seem to fit this album far better than Manitoba ever could. the non-electronica influnce is stronger than ever, with one track being based around a blues guitar riff, and another going so far as to contain solely acoustic guitar! (except for some digital clicks and rattles playing softly in the background for atmosphere)
Animal Collective - Sung Tongs
Animal Collective usually aren't grouped into the folktronica label... but why shouldn't they be? Sung Tongs is more folk than "tronica" i'll admit, but there's no denying that both genres are packed in there (along with indie, prog, noise, psychedelia, bubblegum pop, and about a million other disparate influences).
Animal Collective - Here Comes the Indian
if you want to see why Animal Collective is on this list, you'll have to delve deeper into their discography. although this album doesn't make its electronica influences as obvious as say Manatee Dance or Spirit They're Gone, Spirit They've Vanished, it's certainly more listenable/enjoyable/rewarding than those abrasive early albums. still, be prepared for weirdness... Indian is far more experimental than the pop-infected Sung Tongs.
Beck - Odelay
why I've never heard Beck's name mentioned when people speak of this genre is a source of contant puzzlement. perhaps this is because it's seen more of a folk/hip-hop album than a folk/electronica one. but isn't hip-hop just an outgrowth of electronica anyway? and even when he's not rapping (which is most of the album), he always lays it on heavy with both the sampler and the acoustic guitar.
Beck - Guero
it's more laid back then the goofy, genre-jumping Odelay, but that just puts it more in line with it's folk roots. a different breed of folktronica than Manitoba or Four Tet, that's for sure, but if our qualifications are simply the seamless mixing of the two genres, then this album is in many ways a better fit than both of those artists' catalogues.
Mice Parade - Obrigado Saudade
this album is beautiful. the thick layers of acoustic guitar layed down like drum loops and accompanied by soft, wire-brush percussion, wavering keyboards, and an assortment of electronic drones, squeels, and squeeks makes incredibly compelling music.
The Books - Thought for Food
once again, a band not usually mentioned when discussing the genre, but one that fits it to a T. the books lay down sample upon sample of found sound (many of them strange vocal snippets in line with classic instrumental hip-hop, but with a playful, intelligent bent) over live recordings of banjo, cello, violin, and acoustic guitar. unlike anything i've ever heard. that doesn't mean it's inaccesible though, quite the opposite - as bizzare as their music is, it's incredibly easy to listen (and dare i say... dance?) to.
The Books - The Lemon of Pink
Thought For Food might have been my favorite electronica record ever were it not for their even better follow-up. get them both. I assure you, you're in for a treat. |
