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Adio's Top 45!


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Tangerine Dream Phaedra

 

Frankly, this isnt Tangerine Dreams best album (that would be Rubycon) but, I think this is pretty much what kickstarted my interest in krautrock, ambient and electronic music in general. I cant exactly articulate the ways this album affected me in the most dire ways, but, these electronic sequences seem just as important as anything to me these days.

 

 

 

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Cluster Cluster II

 

Living proof that all Düsseldorf School electronic music didnt exactly have to sound like Kraftwerk, Cluster II is a menacing album. Sounding a lot like Schulzes Irrlicht, this album never compromises with any sort of melodic passages, it just roars at you for its entire length! =)

 

 

 

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Klaus Schulze Mirage

 

Mirage is the perfect winter album. Even in a relatively warm place (much like the place I live in), it still instills some sort of chill in you. Although the two separate 30 minute tracks may seem a bit intimidating, unlike Cluster II, its a relatively peaceful winter night walk rather than a turbulent space ride. Sorta like staying up waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve! =)

 

 

 

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Slowdive Souvlaki

 

While MBV prefers their shoegaze noisy and farfetched (which is also good), Im more a quiet, shy shoegaze type.

 

 

 

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Fates Warning The Spectre Within

 

Its hard to believe something like this was released in 85. A precursor to todays rather disappointing power/progressive scene, its hard to imagine how you go about writing stuff like this. Technicality is underplayed, although literally played, yet it doesnt sound pretentious? It has substance too! Who could deny the sweeping epic sections and not to mention Archs voice (which I like!)? A shocking mix of what a lot of metal lacks today.

 

 

 

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Alfred Schnittke - Symphony No. 1 [Carl-Axel Dominique, improvisation; piano/Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra/Segerstam]

 

What a mess, a chaotic mess! Yet, it seems so neat and clean, unlike most peoples rooms! Its a melancholic mess really, yet, its hard to describe how it works. An atonal assault on all frontsnightmarish and whatnot, but displaying qualities that are increasingly tender and neat; it blows my mind.

 

 

 

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Autechre Incunabula

 

Autechre at their most human sounding and least mysterious, its some of the most organic electronic music Ive ever heard. Although its dense in layers, just check out the melodies! 444 and Eggshell stand out as having the perfect balance, in fact. Definitely for those people who think latter Autechre is a bit too much glitch (although I like their latest stuff too)! =)

 

 

 

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Kraftwerk Trans Europa Express

 

Ah, yes, probably the single most influential band on this list elements of Kraftwerk can be heard in any pop music today. I couldve put any album they made from 1974-1982 here and itd still fit. In the case of TEEits probably their best known and contains most of their classics (such as the title song sampled for Afrikas Planet Rock) and is a great example of early synthpop. =)

 

 

 

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Popol Vuh Hosianna Mantra

 

This is probably where krautrock takes a little step into new age-ish stuff, but, Hosianna Mantra isnt just mindless new age dabbling, mind you! The piano is subtle, but reaffirming. The guitar has that krautrock sound and its wildly failing in the backgroundthe ethereal quality of it all even surpasses MBV in some cases. It has a classical, dreamy sound thats unique in krautrock Popol Vuh at their best.

 

 

 

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Francoise Hardy La question

 

My French may be a bit weak (its been a while) but, I just cant get enough of album! Its the perfect pop album, perhaps only rivaled by Japan. An acquired taste, dare I say though.

 

 

 

Although these albums are numbered, they are in no particular order!

 

 

 

11. Edgard Varèse - The Complete Works (Asko Ensemble / Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra / Riccardo Chailly)

 

An eternal conundrumyou really have no idea whats going on half the time, like Schnittkes workits literally a mess, but after some digestion, you might unlock the pieces to this classical puzzle.

 

 

 

12. Brian Eno Another Green World

 

Surprisingly, I prefer this over Music for Airports. While Music for Airports is the ambient album I listened to Phaedra first. This seemed very fresh in comparison to his latter masterpiece. I also think is voice fitsehhokay, its alright for some songs. I like the ambient-pop approach though.

 

 

 

13. Björk Vespertine

 

Bjorks most subtle and haunting work this is definitely her best for me. Nothing really sounds too upbeat and frightening!

 

 

 

14. Peter Brötzmann - Machine Gun

 

Louder, messier and more aggressive than any metal released today (even Obscura!) Machine Gun sounds exactly likea machine gun. Avant-garde jazz at its most aggressive, it calms though for the reloading sessions. =)

 

 

 

15. Burzum Hvis Lyset Tar Oss

 

One of the few black metal classics that actually hold sup, HLTO transcends most pitfalls that the ambient black metal genre holds: its not [bleep]ing boring.

 

 

 

16. Miles Davis In A Silent Way

 

Im down with his stuff before this (Kind of Blue, etc.) but I just cant [bleep]ing resist McLaughlins guitar!

 

 

 

17. The Cure Pornography

 

Not a fan of the whiny Disintegration! I think this unsentimental piece of rock is the pinnacle of The Cure. It has this sort of uneasy aura bout it, but its enjoyable to listen to esp. the first song.

 

 

 

18. Manilla Road Crystal Logic

 

Crystal Logic is the pinnacle of power metal, for sure. The Sharks nasally voice might make you feel a bit weird, but the awesome riffs and literary lyrics will surely draw you in. This thing reads like a good fantasy book!

 

 

 

19. Art Ensemble of Chicago Urban Bushmen

 

It was hard to choose, AEoC have so many good albums, but this hybrid will work. Its tragically beautiful and isnt exactly straight jazz. Great for jazz beginners! =)

 

 

 

20. Joy Division - Les Bains Douches 18 December 1979

 

Presents Joy Division as an actual punk band (which they always were, or so I think) I like!

 

 

 

21. Edgar Froese - Epsilon in Malaysian Pale

 

Oh yeah, the chief mind behind Tangerine Dream can sure use a mellotron. This is the ultimate mellotron album (even moreso than Phaedra). It resonates smoothly off the theme too, feels like a jungle! Anyways, make sure you get the 1990 CD version or the original LP, the new electronic update sucks! =(

 

 

 

22. Steve Roach Structures From Silence

 

One of the better ambient albums out there, Roach has an impressive back catalogue, and this is one of his less new-agey releases. It reminds me a lot of a more organic, human-like Brian Eno. =)

 

 

 

23. Neu! Neu!

 

Neu!s debut might be a bit inconsistent, but, Hallogallo (opening track) is [bleep]ing classic. The pioneering of the motorik beat (used by bands like The Cure, etc.) would be a staple in pop music till today. They also created the remix on their second album! Definitely one of the most underappreciated bands today. R.I.P Klaus Dinger =(

 

 

 

24. Robert Rich and B. Lustmord Stalker

 

Id hate to live in Lustmords world! =P Anyways, based off the movie, it clearly shows! Its depressing, aggressive and puzzling (isnt Lustmord always puzzling tho?). It does invoke visions of the dreaded Zone (from the Stalker movie/book) though, mission accomplished! Oh yeah, Robert Rich is underappreciated as [bleep], check him out if you enjoy this.

 

 

 

25. Steve Reich Music For 18 Musicians

 

Reich is so consistent, its hard to pick a favourite, but I went with the cliché pick. Much like Phaedraits hard to articulate how this appeals to me. It just does these days. Beautiful arrangements though, especially the xylophones one of the pinnacles of the minimalist musical movement.

 

 

 

26. Meredith Monk Dolmen Music

 

Meredith Monk rapes her voice over piano arrangements for our musical enjoyment. Some people say she sounds like a seal, but, I can dig it. Another album that does so much for me, but I couldnt tell you how it does. =P

 

 

 

27. Japan Tin Drum

 

One of the best albums of the 80s, songs like Ghosts are just plain haunting. Davids voice sounds perfect on this and its just melancholic for a new wave album!

 

 

 

28. Cabaret Voltaire Red Mecca

 

Red Mecca is the ultimate party album! Just listen to Red Mask and dance! Anyways early industrial with a bit of melody and funk is what youre getting! Its a bit scary, but youll get used to it when you start listening to it.

 

 

 

29. Faust So Far

 

Faust have 4 great albums, this makes it THAT much harder to choose. I chose So Far because it has a more conventional structure (compared to the first) and I think represents Faust the best. =)

 

 

 

30. Can Future Days

 

I believe it was How2PK who said that there was a Can for every man indeed, its true. Im more of an electronic, space-out krautrocker, and this is Can album fits the bill perfectly! Its quiet and spacey, unlike Tago Mago (not that that album is bad) and Bel-Air is [bleep]ing perfect.

 

 

 

31. Sacramentum Far Away From The Sun

 

Sacramentum > Vinterland > Dissection Silversword summed this album better than I could, but generally, its melodic black metal on a whole different level than anything else done in the genre.

 

 

 

32. Terry Riley In C

 

Rileys In C has been performed a plethora of times. The original is good, but this spot is for the 25th anniversary edition which is much longer, but performed with all the indeterminate glory it was supposed to be performed in!

 

 

 

33. Kate Bush Hounds of Love

 

Along with Tin Drum, Bush kept art pop alive in the 80s. Another tough artist to choose a favourite from, and yea I went with the cliché pick. Singles like Running Up That Hill and Cloudbursting are the best on here. Her voice (which I dont mind, really) might be annoying to some, but, its probably at its most tame here.

 

 

 

34. Michael Hoenig Departure From the Northern Wasteland

 

Another Berlin School (Schulze/Tangerine Dream) record, this one a bit more obscure. It has the obvious stuff, but its done a bit differently with weaker equipment. A fantastic album, even if it doesnt stand up to its precursors. =)

 

 

 

35. Warning Watching From A Distance

 

Well, you could say the guys in Warning need to get laid, but, damn me if this isnt the best doom metal album ever. It just shrivels down and wallows in its depression! The perfect doom metal album done in the most cliché manner out there! =P

 

 

 

36. This Heat Deceit

 

Wow these guys are angry (grrrr)! Another one of non-metal albums that seems to outdo metal in aggression n stuff, its strangely enough another atonal, experimental mess. Check out that screaming in the first track! =)

 

 

 

37. John Coltrane Ascension

 

If Urban Bushmen was an album for jazz novices this is the opposite, its for those who have mastered a couple of albums. Free jazzcompletely [bleep]ing the conventions of jazz in the butt.

 

 

 

38. Ash Ra Tempel Ash Ra Tempel

 

I guess if Pink Floyd was a bit more abstract and Waters went crazy instead of Barrett youd have this.

 

 

 

39. Agitation Free 2nd

 

Another krautrock gem, Agitation Free is backed by synthesizer master Michael Hoenig and an entire band of really drugged up German dudes. Unlike Amon Duul I, these drugged up dudes dont just protest and stuff. >_>

 

 

 

40. King Crimson Thrakattak

 

I had a hard time choosing which King Crimson album to put. I listened to my favourites over and over and went with this one. I guess it depends on my mood (disoriented and tired at the time of writing) but this one does the most for me. A literal free improvisation, its lack of structure and tune really draws me in. Its like Faulkner or Joyce, they just keep going and going and cant do anything but simply get lost in the wonderful playing.

 

 

 

41. Krzysztof Penderecki - Matrix 5 (Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra; London Symphony Orchestra/Krzysztof Penderecki)

 

You might know Penderecki's music from Kubrick's The Shining - regardless, he is masterful at these nightmarish, dark compositions. Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima the best piece on here - well worth a listen.

 

 

 

42. Univers Zero - Ceux du Dehors

 

Sounding a lot like classical composers in prog rock form, it's top notch stuff really.

 

 

 

43. Zoviet France - Just An Illusion

 

Continuing the ambient theme of this list, this is darker, more experimental ambient mixed in with some musical concrete. Results range from soothing to exciting.

 

 

 

44. Manuel Göttsching - E2-E4

 

Krautrock with some modern throwbacks - a huge influence on today's house scene, Gottsching was ahead of his time!

 

 

 

45. Autopsy - Mental Funeral

 

Let's jump back to metal once more - this album is plain dirty! You'll need to take plenty of showers after listening to it. Sorta doomy-death, so if that's not your thing, not recommended.

 

 

 

Sorry about some of the weak descriptions, but I had no time and I was requested to make this list. Originally supposed to be 75, but now truncated to 45, I hope you can read through the writing and let the music do its speaking instead of me, haha.

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I know of some of the artist but none would be on my list. :lol:

 

I actually dont think Ive heard more then 1 song from most of those bands.

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#1 Wongtong stalker.

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Awesome.

 

 

 

So many good lists, I've got so many bands to check out now. Good call on Tangerine Dream too :thumbup: . Love that group ever since you got me into them.

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Thanks for the positive responses! I'm sure anyone looking to get into some krautrock or anything similar will find lots of use for this list, but it's pretty non-conventional, or so I think.

 

 

 

Anyways, I made a final edit - I made most of this in segments and forgot about 5 special albums. =)

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Fantastic list! A lot of things that I love are on it, and also some things that I haven't heard before, but that I am going to check out for sure. As said before: your recommendations never let me down. There's a lack of Talking Heads, though.

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Signature by Maurice Sendak

When the stars make you drool just like a pasta fazool, that's amore!

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At first glance I thought this was going to be an impenetrable list for someone with my kind of taste, I'd barely heard of most of your artists. But on a second read-through I've put down Art Ensemble of Chicago, Steve Reich, Terry Riley (I studied minimalist music at school) and that Joy Division album to my Spotify playlist to listen to. I'll keep re-reading it to cream off some more descriptions I like.

"Da mihi castitatem et continentam, sed noli modo"

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Not heard of many artists off your list but taken down the names of some i'm gonna check out. Nice to see Kraftwerk high in the list. :thumbup:

It isn't in the castle, It isn't in the mist, It's a calling of the waters, As they break to show, The new Black Death, With reactors aglow, Do you think your security, Can keep you in purity, You will not shake us off above or below

Scottish friction

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Maybe you can add the other 30 albums to your list when you've got more time, Adio. I'd love to see more. :)

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When the stars make you drool just like a pasta fazool, that's amore!

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Thanks for the kind comments as always, I'm glad you guys are enjoying the list as much as I enjoyed the previous ones. I hope my bit obscurer picks might shine light on some of the gems that are widely unknown!

 

 

 

I do sincerely apologise about the lack of Talking Heads - it's one of those bands I've on my list for years but never got around to, I will this week though. I will go around to expanding this list once in a while, I'm just loaded with stuff atm.

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Great list ( Even though I haven't heard some of the albums in it ), recently I'm trying to get into the jazz genre, but with no success, as I practically have no idea where to start; after reading some of your descriptions I'm going to check out some of the Art Ensemble of Chicago's albums since you recomend it for starters into the genre, also Miles Davis seems to have a great reputation into the genre, so I will give him a shoot too! :P

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