~DuracellDJ
January 3rd, 2003, 03:14 AM
I have finally finished the process of picking (it was not easy) and below are (in no particular order BTW):
1) my top ten favorite full length albums
2) my top ten favorite singles/maxi-singles/ep's
3) my top five favorite recent signings/self-releases
4) my top three compilations
of 2002.
It will read:
Artist/band name: "Title of release": label of release: any notes
1) Albums:
Backlash: "Impetus": Nilaihah records: wonderful synthpop with absolutely dreamy female vox, both upbeat and downtempo.
Massiv In Mensh: "Die Rein": Artoffact reocrds: absolutely phenomenal from beginning to end.. hard techno/trance with a dark underbelly.
Virtual Server: "Installed": A Different Drum: amazingly intelligent synthpop w/many other guest artists. This is a Russian DJ who composed these tracks and uses many other synthpop guests for vox etc., including Stephen Netschio from Beborn Beton, second "limited" bonus disc are the remixes/"updates".
Apoptygma Bezerk: "Harmonizer": Metropolis: Regardless of the switch in direction this CD is solid from beginning to end, a bit happy for the darke crowd, but we would all die without some light occasionally.
Headscan: "Shaper and Machinist": Artoffact Records: solid intelligent EBM, idm, noise, and techno influenced release.
cut.rate.box.: "Dataseed": WTII Records: this is by far the most FUN CD of the year, it is absolutely contagious and completely intoxicating EBM.
Goteki: "O/S": Wasp Factory: Sneaky Bat is back and his affinity for all that is cyber expands. I played this CD for some of closest techno friends and they loved it.. darkish ebm, synthpop, trip-hop, ambient, dark-wave influences, every track is good. A few great dance floor picks as well.
VNV Nation: "Future Perfect": Metroplois: Once again, the undisputed leaders of the current "future-pop" of EBM. This release is extraordinary, not necessarily my favorite, but without a doubt some of the best there is.
Dubok: "Technicolor": Tinman Records: This is a CD I watched develop from beginning to end and it is simply flawless. Contained within are tracks of dreamy trance orientated electronica with indie-style melodies and vox, some good for the dance floor, but the whole album great for the home or car stereo.
Manuscript: "Natural High": Resurrection Records: I picked this out because it is in my top ten, but also goes to show I do not just love pure electronica.. this is more britgoth with a post-pop-punk flair. The songs are catchy, melodic, and this CD is a great pick for anyone wanting to mix in some of what is best and new when it comes to darker electronica and pop music.
2) singles/maxi-singles/ep's
Wave in Head (maxi-single): "With You": A Different Drum: Wave in Head is lush, beautiful, synth-pop, and EBM kids seem to love the synth-pop as much as the EBM, certainly one of the best releases of the year from ADD.
God Module (ep): "Perception": Sector 9: This is an amazing work of art. God Module shows us where dark electronica can be melded with techno, trance, house, and other forms of electronica and come up with three tracks and several remixes.. the whole CD is great but my fav is Transcend.
Assemblage 23 (maxi-single): "Document": Accession-Records: this is a remix masterpiece. My fav is the echo-image mix, but each one is well done, and the kids love it too.
XPQ21 (single): "White and Alive": Dying Culture: I just got this, but have to say it just kicks my ass.. really sammin' single from XPQ21 (trance/techno influenced synthcore).
T.H.E.M. (Thee Human Ego Maniacs)/(maxi-single): "Here We Go": Electrovenus Records: This is electroclash/tech-pop stuff and some trance remixes. The club mix of "Here We Go" is a hard hitting club anthem.
Covenant (single): "Call the Ships to Port": Epic: This is by-far the best produced single of the year.. it makes everything seem distorted and fuzzy to me.. and it just hits hard, the way I like it.. LOL
Culture Kultur (ep): "Combat": Out of Line: Relatively unnoticed from Spain, Culture Kultur is exploding with this new release, plenty of great dance floor stuff, mixes electro and ebm.
Haujobb (ep): "Penetration": Metropolis Records: I am going to go out on a limb (seems a pretty strong branch) and say this is the single of the year.
Melotron (single): "Gib Mir Alles": Synthetic Symphony: Melotron (imho) are some of the best in the german synthpop genre. Gib Mir Alles did very well on the dance floor, and after six months is not losing steam, looking for a club anthem, give the kids this. The recent full length is great as well.
Monolithic (maxi-single): "House of Joy": A Different Drum: Todd (ADD) knows I like the more trancey synthpop. This release is got some hardhitting remixes of the synthpop anthem "House of Joy", I particularly love the programming of the "rivethead" mix, but, heh, I kinda like the name too.
3) new signings/self-releases
Boole: "Phermones": self-release: Certainly one of the best releases in the last half of 2002.. should appeal to everyone, idm, d&b, ebm, synthpop.. every track offers a different unusual twist on all that is Boole.
Epsilon Minus: "Epsilon Minus": Alfa Matrix: lush female fronted synthpop/ebm.. with some great programming.
Cruciform Injection: "Critical": Negative Gain: With this release Cruciform Injection is finally receiving the attention they so much deserve. Great programming, electro-ebm with aggro stylings.
Cesium 137: "Advanced/Decay": Tonedeaf Records: Cesium brings noise, techno, trance, ebm, and electro all into one hard hitting freshman release.
Zprochek: "Intravenous": Synapse-Records: This is certainly one of the freshest acts to enter the EBM forefront, tired of the same ebm fomula's?, then this is a must have disc.
4) compilations
Septic III: Dependent Records: Great compilation, featuring great tracks by Ivory Frequency, Seabound, Pzycho ¤¤¤¤¤, Sulpher, The Retrosic, Icon of Coil, Aesthetic Perfection, Paperhouse, Autoaggression and more!!
This is Tech-Pop: Ministry of Sound: electroclash and techpop stuff.. this is some of the best offerings, soviet, ladytron, fischerspooner, felix da housecat, golden boy with miss kitten, swayzak, and more!!
Cryonica Tanz V.2: Cryonica Music/Sideline Magazine: the best of all that is dark and electronic and new.. you want a taste of it all, this is the disc (double disc) to own!! Great tracks by Nebula H, Cruciform Injection, Razed in Black, Cubanante, Inertia, The Nine, Interlace, Gasr, Stromkern, Implant, Aghast view, The Retrosic.. sheesh.. these are just a few of my favorites.. my number one comp of the year!
OK. sheesh.. I am glad I can check that off my things to do list!
cya!!
gretchen
:::DJ Copper Top! aka Duracell DJ:::
http://www.electrogarden.com/djs/coppertop/
http://www.tonedeafrecords.com
3D.Prod.Prom. (Dance to a Different Drummer)
see 3D events @ http://www.carpemidwest.com
OR http://www.mwafterdark.com
Indianapolis/Midwest promotions
1) my top ten favorite full length albums
2) my top ten favorite singles/maxi-singles/ep's
3) my top five favorite recent signings/self-releases
4) my top three compilations
of 2002.
It will read:
Artist/band name: "Title of release": label of release: any notes
1) Albums:
Backlash: "Impetus": Nilaihah records: wonderful synthpop with absolutely dreamy female vox, both upbeat and downtempo.
Massiv In Mensh: "Die Rein": Artoffact reocrds: absolutely phenomenal from beginning to end.. hard techno/trance with a dark underbelly.
Virtual Server: "Installed": A Different Drum: amazingly intelligent synthpop w/many other guest artists. This is a Russian DJ who composed these tracks and uses many other synthpop guests for vox etc., including Stephen Netschio from Beborn Beton, second "limited" bonus disc are the remixes/"updates".
Apoptygma Bezerk: "Harmonizer": Metropolis: Regardless of the switch in direction this CD is solid from beginning to end, a bit happy for the darke crowd, but we would all die without some light occasionally.
Headscan: "Shaper and Machinist": Artoffact Records: solid intelligent EBM, idm, noise, and techno influenced release.
cut.rate.box.: "Dataseed": WTII Records: this is by far the most FUN CD of the year, it is absolutely contagious and completely intoxicating EBM.
Goteki: "O/S": Wasp Factory: Sneaky Bat is back and his affinity for all that is cyber expands. I played this CD for some of closest techno friends and they loved it.. darkish ebm, synthpop, trip-hop, ambient, dark-wave influences, every track is good. A few great dance floor picks as well.
VNV Nation: "Future Perfect": Metroplois: Once again, the undisputed leaders of the current "future-pop" of EBM. This release is extraordinary, not necessarily my favorite, but without a doubt some of the best there is.
Dubok: "Technicolor": Tinman Records: This is a CD I watched develop from beginning to end and it is simply flawless. Contained within are tracks of dreamy trance orientated electronica with indie-style melodies and vox, some good for the dance floor, but the whole album great for the home or car stereo.
Manuscript: "Natural High": Resurrection Records: I picked this out because it is in my top ten, but also goes to show I do not just love pure electronica.. this is more britgoth with a post-pop-punk flair. The songs are catchy, melodic, and this CD is a great pick for anyone wanting to mix in some of what is best and new when it comes to darker electronica and pop music.
2) singles/maxi-singles/ep's
Wave in Head (maxi-single): "With You": A Different Drum: Wave in Head is lush, beautiful, synth-pop, and EBM kids seem to love the synth-pop as much as the EBM, certainly one of the best releases of the year from ADD.
God Module (ep): "Perception": Sector 9: This is an amazing work of art. God Module shows us where dark electronica can be melded with techno, trance, house, and other forms of electronica and come up with three tracks and several remixes.. the whole CD is great but my fav is Transcend.
Assemblage 23 (maxi-single): "Document": Accession-Records: this is a remix masterpiece. My fav is the echo-image mix, but each one is well done, and the kids love it too.
XPQ21 (single): "White and Alive": Dying Culture: I just got this, but have to say it just kicks my ass.. really sammin' single from XPQ21 (trance/techno influenced synthcore).
T.H.E.M. (Thee Human Ego Maniacs)/(maxi-single): "Here We Go": Electrovenus Records: This is electroclash/tech-pop stuff and some trance remixes. The club mix of "Here We Go" is a hard hitting club anthem.
Covenant (single): "Call the Ships to Port": Epic: This is by-far the best produced single of the year.. it makes everything seem distorted and fuzzy to me.. and it just hits hard, the way I like it.. LOL
Culture Kultur (ep): "Combat": Out of Line: Relatively unnoticed from Spain, Culture Kultur is exploding with this new release, plenty of great dance floor stuff, mixes electro and ebm.
Haujobb (ep): "Penetration": Metropolis Records: I am going to go out on a limb (seems a pretty strong branch) and say this is the single of the year.
Melotron (single): "Gib Mir Alles": Synthetic Symphony: Melotron (imho) are some of the best in the german synthpop genre. Gib Mir Alles did very well on the dance floor, and after six months is not losing steam, looking for a club anthem, give the kids this. The recent full length is great as well.
Monolithic (maxi-single): "House of Joy": A Different Drum: Todd (ADD) knows I like the more trancey synthpop. This release is got some hardhitting remixes of the synthpop anthem "House of Joy", I particularly love the programming of the "rivethead" mix, but, heh, I kinda like the name too.
3) new signings/self-releases
Boole: "Phermones": self-release: Certainly one of the best releases in the last half of 2002.. should appeal to everyone, idm, d&b, ebm, synthpop.. every track offers a different unusual twist on all that is Boole.
Epsilon Minus: "Epsilon Minus": Alfa Matrix: lush female fronted synthpop/ebm.. with some great programming.
Cruciform Injection: "Critical": Negative Gain: With this release Cruciform Injection is finally receiving the attention they so much deserve. Great programming, electro-ebm with aggro stylings.
Cesium 137: "Advanced/Decay": Tonedeaf Records: Cesium brings noise, techno, trance, ebm, and electro all into one hard hitting freshman release.
Zprochek: "Intravenous": Synapse-Records: This is certainly one of the freshest acts to enter the EBM forefront, tired of the same ebm fomula's?, then this is a must have disc.
4) compilations
Septic III: Dependent Records: Great compilation, featuring great tracks by Ivory Frequency, Seabound, Pzycho ¤¤¤¤¤, Sulpher, The Retrosic, Icon of Coil, Aesthetic Perfection, Paperhouse, Autoaggression and more!!
This is Tech-Pop: Ministry of Sound: electroclash and techpop stuff.. this is some of the best offerings, soviet, ladytron, fischerspooner, felix da housecat, golden boy with miss kitten, swayzak, and more!!
Cryonica Tanz V.2: Cryonica Music/Sideline Magazine: the best of all that is dark and electronic and new.. you want a taste of it all, this is the disc (double disc) to own!! Great tracks by Nebula H, Cruciform Injection, Razed in Black, Cubanante, Inertia, The Nine, Interlace, Gasr, Stromkern, Implant, Aghast view, The Retrosic.. sheesh.. these are just a few of my favorites.. my number one comp of the year!
OK. sheesh.. I am glad I can check that off my things to do list!
cya!!
gretchen
:::DJ Copper Top! aka Duracell DJ:::
http://www.electrogarden.com/djs/coppertop/
http://www.tonedeafrecords.com
3D.Prod.Prom. (Dance to a Different Drummer)
see 3D events @ http://www.carpemidwest.com
OR http://www.mwafterdark.com
Indianapolis/Midwest promotions