Electronica

Learning to differentiate between the subgenres (and especially subsubgenres eg 'progressive trance, melodic trance, intelligent techno' etc) of electronica takes experience. One thing is though, i still can't seem to find a real difference between Trance and Hard Trance...

Trance:
Trance is repetitive and droning (usually building towards a climax) Techno built on hypnotic, eastern-sounding synth lines, and, of course, bleeps and bloops. There are various deviations including Goa, Psytrance, and Progressive. Notable producers include Paul Oakenfold, Timo Maas, and BT.

Techno:
Techno, arguably (along with House) the most prominent and recognizable form of Electronica, grew out of German experimental synth music (Kraftwerk) and early Hip Hop and Electro Funk. Its earliest incarnation was in Detroit with soulful pioneers like Juan Atkins and later Carl Craig. It has gone international, sprouting a huge number of different subgenres.

House:
House music grew out of Disco. It is easily identifiable by its insistent, pulsing four/four beat, on top of which all sorts of music and sounds are added, all with one purpose in mind: to make you dance. House has managed to go mainstream from time to time (with artists like Madonna and Soul II Soul) while still maintaining a core, underground audience of DJs and fans.

Hard House:
Hard House, whether vocal or not, stays away from the poppiness of some mainstream House music and backs up its 4/4 sound with layer upon layer of synths and samples.

Ambient:
Ambient music is environmental. It is meant to mimic or enhance the sounds of everyday life, not to necessarily be rhythmic, melodic or any other thing traditionally associated with music. Ambient can, of course, contain any of those elements, but it does not necessarily have to. Everything from the groovy sounds of Global Communications to the frightening and cacophonous sounds of Darkwave is ambient. Brian Eno was a pioneer in this genre. Recently, Bill Laswell has made some critically acclaimed ambient records.

Chillout:
A relaxed, more regular and repetitive type of trance, that doesn't ever really reach a climax.

Drum n Bass:
Hard to describe, but it is VERY distinctive from any other electronica, and if you can't tell the difference your an idiot



July 24, 2002

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