Summer of (non-sexual) Exploration
Been looking into a whole new spectrum of music this summer, mostly relectronic stuff that I never rrrrdug before. |
| 1 |  | Bjork
Vespertine
Bjork is one of the sole reasons I got so stoked on finding new music this summer. I
never gave her a chance until the car ride back from school and instantly fell in love.
1,800 last.fm plays and an intense obsession later sees me exploring so much I never
thought I would. |
| 2 |  | Karlheinz Stockhausen
Mantra
Mantra is a piece composed for two ring pianos, crotales and a short wave radio. Each of
Stockhausen's pieces explores adventurous new territory and incorporates techniques
that are otherwise unheard of. |
| 3 |  | Boards of Canada
The Campfire Headphase
The first ambient album I really listened to. This took a few spins but I feel like getting
to the point where I enjoyed this opened me up to ambient as a whole. |
| 4 |  | Steve Reich
Music for 18 Musicians
Music for 18 Musicians can truly test the patience of the listener but, when you take in
all the subtleties of the music and arrangements, you realize the beauty and innovative
nature of the composition. Definitely worth a focused listen or two. |
| 5 |  | Steve Roden
Forms of Paper
Forms of paper is often considered the pioneer album of lowercase. Consisting entirely of
distorted recordings of paper being handled, Steve Roden created a truly intriguing
method of creating music out of micro-samples amplified to extreme levels. I would
consider this incredibly gimmicky and stupid if it didn't work so damn well. |
| 6 |  | Brian Eno
Ambient 1: Music for Airports
Holy shit, what an album. One of my favorites from the summer, this album is the
perfect mood music. Studying or reading to this is guaranteed to make you focus better. |
| 7 |  | DJ Shadow
Endtroducing.....
Trip hop was a huge part of my summer, from Portishead to Massive Attack, but nothing
impressed me nearly as much as this album. |
| 8 |  | Tim Hecker
Ravedeath, 1972
One of the most drearily beautiful albums I've listened to. |
| 9 |  | Khanate
Clean Hands Go Foul
The fourth album from drone metal band Khanate, Clean Hands Go Foul creates a cold
and dead atmosphere. This album is truly intense and emotionally impactful. I would
highly recommend this album for anyone interested in getting into drone. |
| 10 |  | Steve Roach
Light Fantastic
The use of effects and ambience on Light Fantastic borders the line between corny and
charming. The swirling soundscapes and phased out synth tones that Steve Roach
utilizes is often nicely complimented by the inclusion of tribal beats that really drive the
album forward. This album is an incredibly nice listen for those long summer days. |
| 11 | | Prurient
Pleasure Grounds
Another drone album, Pleasure Grounds assaults your ears with crunching tones and
repeating structures over dark and piercing screams. This album amazingly never seems
sloppy. There is never anything too complicated about the tracks on this album however,
it?s brooding atmosphere and lyrics are extremely effective in making this album quite
an experience. |
| 12 | | Igor Stravinski
Le Sacre du printemps
Stravinski definitely became one of my favorite 20th Century composers this summer.
The innovation and dense orchestration on this thing is just incredible to listen to. |
| 13 |  | Stars of the Lid
And Their Refinement Of The Decline
Probably my favorite ambient album as of yet! |
| 14 |  | Aphex Twin
Richard D. James Album |
| 15 |  | Oneohtrix Point Never
R Plus Seven |
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