Forum
Chems' genre-mashing: What songs fit where?
#1
Posted 19 November 2004 - 5:38 AM
Now, while I normally hate the contextualization and definitions that accompany music criticism, this seems to be part and parcel of the dance music scene in particular.
My curiosity is in seeing where everyone slots the various tracks the Chems have done over the years. Obviously, they helped invent Bigbeat, but I've never found that to be a particularly well-defined genre in terms of their music (except 'Chemical Beats,' obviously). More a Fatboy Slim thing, IMO.
Where do tracks like 'Out of Control' fit in? House? For Surrender and CWU, seemed like a much more housey direction for the Brothers, but we also know their roots in hip-hop and even shoegazing.
So, keeping in mind that this is intended as a fun and educational activity (and not an attempt to pinhole the Chems, if such a thing could even be managed), let's see where everyone slots their songs:
(I'm particularly interested in what ppl will classify 'Life Is Sweet' as.)
My curiosity is in seeing where everyone slots the various tracks the Chems have done over the years. Obviously, they helped invent Bigbeat, but I've never found that to be a particularly well-defined genre in terms of their music (except 'Chemical Beats,' obviously). More a Fatboy Slim thing, IMO.
Where do tracks like 'Out of Control' fit in? House? For Surrender and CWU, seemed like a much more housey direction for the Brothers, but we also know their roots in hip-hop and even shoegazing.
So, keeping in mind that this is intended as a fun and educational activity (and not an attempt to pinhole the Chems, if such a thing could even be managed), let's see where everyone slots their songs:
(I'm particularly interested in what ppl will classify 'Life Is Sweet' as.)
#2
Posted 19 November 2004 - 5:51 AM
Wow, tough call!
Where to begin!
OK, first single: Song to the Siren always seemed very trip-hop to me, the dark, seductive and heavy beat. But then there's those wailing sirens, the ethereal This Mortal Coil sample... There's lots of directions this song goes in.
Again, tough call. I think what continually keeps me interested in the Chemical Brothers is their songs transgress musical boundaries and genres.
Life Is Sweet - I'll leave that one alone for now...
Where to begin!
OK, first single: Song to the Siren always seemed very trip-hop to me, the dark, seductive and heavy beat. But then there's those wailing sirens, the ethereal This Mortal Coil sample... There's lots of directions this song goes in.
Again, tough call. I think what continually keeps me interested in the Chemical Brothers is their songs transgress musical boundaries and genres.
Life Is Sweet - I'll leave that one alone for now...
be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle
#4
Posted 19 November 2004 - 6:59 AM
Heh, cop-out!!! Defeats the point of the thread, now doesn't it? :)
Okay, I'll go. One of the more obvious ones, 'Star Guitar' is Balearic House.
(Or I could be even more obvious, and say that EBW 7 is happy hardcore....
Oops, I mean acid house. ;) )
[On a completely separate note (and so I can further indulge my love of parentheses), I'd love to see the Chems have a go at Brazilian-style Drum & Bass, ala Marky and XRS or DJ SS' 'Margarita'.]
Okay, I'll go. One of the more obvious ones, 'Star Guitar' is Balearic House.
(Or I could be even more obvious, and say that EBW 7 is happy hardcore....
Oops, I mean acid house. ;) )
[On a completely separate note (and so I can further indulge my love of parentheses), I'd love to see the Chems have a go at Brazilian-style Drum & Bass, ala Marky and XRS or DJ SS' 'Margarita'.]
#7
Posted 19 November 2004 - 10:53 AM
Darkstarexodus Escribi๏ฟฝ:
(Or I could be even more obvious, and say that EBW 7 is happy hardcore....
*raises eyebrow* Are you familiar with happy hardcore? It's crappy cheesy vocals and keyboards. One of the worst genres ever, I prefer Hardcore 8)
Block Rockin' Beats is obviously big beat.
#11
Posted 19 November 2004 - 1:18 PM
Some of their stuff is easily classifyable, but a fair amount is genre-bending. I'd argue that Chemical Beats is acid house, and classic acid house at that. It hasn't got a break, so it doesn't seem right to call it breaks. I'd say Life is Sweet is amyl house (is that a dodge or what?!) 8)
#14
Posted 19 November 2004 - 5:12 PM
sorry but this thread is just wrong, the only term you need is good music.
antype you cant say chemical beats is not house. all modern dance music is a derivative of house music in one way or another.
Good point it is good music! but why are you then disagreeing and correcting what antype has said by saying what genre it is in. Dont mean 2 have a go again but what is wrong with defineing what genre a song is in, its a good way of then going on to fine other simular bits of music you like in that genre.
#17
Posted 19 November 2004 - 7:33 PM
ACIDCHILDREN Escribi๏ฟฝ:
but why are you then disagreeing and correcting what antype has said by saying what genre it is in. Dont mean 2 have a go again but what is wrong with defineing what genre a song is in, its a good way of then going on to fine other simular bits of music you like in that genre.
my point was that house is a fuckin huge umbrella, encapsulating a wide flavor of styles. i was by my statement trying to blow wide open the pigeon hole.
I'm a fuckin doughnut