Some new A-Box info [Archive] - The Electrogarden Network Music Forums

~jetjaguar15

January 24th, 2003, 12:40 PM

From Claude's post over on the A-Box forum -
"Dear Everyone,
It has been a while, and so I must say Merry Xmas ansd Happy NEW Year's if I didn't, and I don't remember so there.

Now for the news....

1. TV

TV is done, sounds cool, and it has been delayed due to a bit of soul searching and identity crisis within the ranks. Nothing to be worried about, but since I'm on the subject of it I will explain. We have been debating whether Abox will continue to exist as Abox since the sound from Elektrodelica and onward is so different. I would like to see some serious opinions on this. Should we release TV as a different group?

2. A rap group has asked me to redo Radio Static as a single for them. I might do it. It might be fun, and I get to sing it. The group is new, and I am just guesting on this track, and since I wrote it... We'll see.

3. We will be pulling some of the songs from Binaural Repeats from this site. So get it while you can. Any song prior to Elektrodelica is going away.

4. I am working on 2 projects at the same time, for which I've written about 4 songs. I will keep you posted on this as well.

5. Be kind to each other.

Claude"

So what do you think? Has the band left the name Anything Box behind?

~spi

January 24th, 2003, 12:49 PM

I don't think Abox should change its name... Bands change over time. Its been quite a while since the first album was released. I don't know if everyone expects a band to continue to sound the same over time. I know that I don't.

Abox is more then just a sound its everyone behind the band. I personally want to keep listening to Abox no matter how they sound. They write awsome music.

-steve

7red7

January 24th, 2003, 02:02 PM

I agree with Steve don't change the name...Look at what happened to Agnes Poetry...They continue to make music under a new moniker, and they go unheard of now...Changing the name to comtinue just because your sound has progressed, changed (whatever you'd call it) is the wrong choice IMO...

Also like Steve and you too Jet, I'm an ABox fan no matter what the sound is...I admit I like the early stuff better than the new material so far, but I still bought and enjoy it all...I say let us all hear what ABox will sound like as time goes on, keep the name and the legacy and make it evolve :)

DAN

~intro

January 24th, 2003, 02:11 PM

Agnes Poetry are still around?

Guess that proves it...

-Mark
www.djintrovert.com

~jetjaguar15

January 24th, 2003, 02:13 PM

I'm really intrigued by "The Effects Of Stereo TV" - could it be they've made such drastic alterations in sound on this album that that is what's driving this line of thought? But then again, Claude has publicly mused about changing the band name before. So this might just blow over as it has before.

~synth19

January 24th, 2003, 05:30 PM

I got a chance to listen to "the effets of Stereo TV" If you like TUIE, you'll like this album. Same direction with less emphasis on space. :)

Originally posted by jetjaguar15
I'm really intrigued by "The Effects Of Stereo TV" - could it be they've made such drastic alterations in sound on this album that that is what's driving this line of thought? But then again, Claude has publicly mused about changing the band name before. So this might just blow over as it has before.

~Hajas

January 24th, 2003, 06:30 PM

I don't think that Abox's sound after elektrodelika is so different than the first 3 album that need to change the name.

Any ban change when the years pass, is normal and I don't think that Abox need to change the name too.

But, if he like do to a rap with this new band and want to do raps to Abox, so I vote to change the name! :)

Freddy

~interface2x

January 25th, 2003, 03:33 PM

You know, I hate you, Ginash ... ;)

I really don't care what their name is, but if I had to choose, I agree with whoever said that they should just officially shorten their name to Abox. Still the same name, but changed. I think most Anything Box fans would pick up on it, but it wouldn't necessarily have the stigma of "that band that played Living in Oblivion".

7red7

January 25th, 2003, 06:56 PM

You know thats a good idea Colin...Just change it to ABox if theres a feeling of a need to change...We all pretty much identify them with that moniker now anyway :)

I'm with it

DAN

~tclutz

January 26th, 2003, 07:40 PM

There is a large group of loyal fans who keep buying the new cds just so they can say they have a complete Anythingbox collection. However, many of these loyal fans do not like their new sound and wish they would go back to synthpop. Changing their name would be best since they clearly no longer play catchy or melodic synthpop anymore. Its too bad, because they used to be my favorite band, now I and many hardcore early abox fans dont even buy their music anymore when it used to be a given that each of their cds would be pre-ordered and given more play on my cd player than any other band. :(
I guess they didnt leave the option open to vote on them returning to melodic synthpop. That is the kind of music Claude's voice was made for! :)

7red7

January 27th, 2003, 07:33 AM

I guess that would be almost like a dream come true for a lot of us...To actually have them do an old-sounding album even if it was for fun, and not taken seriously as a permanent step for the band...

Well I can always dream right???

DAN

~interface2x

January 27th, 2003, 01:28 PM

Ehhh....I'm pretty glad they're not doing the old style anymore. I know I'm in the minority, but I think that "Hope" sounds a little tired - like they made it that way because that's the only way they knew how at the time.

~fondlemywax

January 27th, 2003, 04:18 PM

Originally posted by interface2x
Ehhh....I'm pretty glad they're not doing the old style anymore. I know I'm in the minority, but I think that "Hope" sounds a little tired - like they made it that way because that's the only way they knew how at the time.

BLASPHEMY!!!!!!!

If there was such a thing as an online lynch mob, there would be one after you right now....

~interface2x

January 27th, 2003, 10:54 PM

Like I said, I'm in the minority ;)

~LARS

January 28th, 2003, 10:08 AM

I really do miss the old days of "Peace" "Worth" and "Hope" those albums made a huge fan and have special places in in my heart. I think as a songwriter Claude took the synthpop sound as far as he could, I mean think about it "Living In Oblivion" was such a perfect synthpop song what was he going to just keep writing that song over and over? I think the new stuff is very cool and very creative! His songwriting has matured so much since the days of 'Hope" and since he has gotten older that only makes sense. If a song is good why should it matter what sounds you use all that matters is if it moves you somehow and for me his music still moves me and I am thankful for that.

~Steve B

January 28th, 2003, 08:49 PM

I guess I better jump on this thread--since I've been sleeping quietly for most of the new year so far.

The new Abox album is very different. Yes, there's some comparisons to Elektrodelica and Universe, but 1/3 of the new album has a very dreamy rock feel close to a modern-era psychodelic sound. It's like Sgt. Pepper combined with electro-rock. Definitely a further growth toward the "Elektrodelic" sound Claude is focusing on. The album will also contain some very Elektrodelica-Universe-esque tracks and some surprising elements. It is definitely quite distant from old Abox.

As for the name, as much as I am a fan, and ove the potential and concept behind the "anything" title, I can see where the name can be conflicting with what people expect--especially for live shows. Many promoters hype and Anything Box show as playing their 80's classics like Living In Oblivion (yes LIO was actually 1990). When the band takes stage, most of their recent shows have been 40% Peace, Worth, Hope, and 60% Elektrodelica, Universe, Stereo TV. It can be conflicting and a hard adjustment to some fans who only want the old stuff, while THE BAND really wants to play the new stuff. I use the term THE BAND, because Abox is no longer Claude singing and Dania, Paul/Gary on keyboards. They play guitars and bass, some drums and beat-boxing. For them to use their skills it's very difficult to do so with the older material. It was written for synths and track. They've done a cool job updating some of their older songs with guitar, while still maintaining the "old" feel. The band doesn't want to be labeled, but it seems like many of their old and respected fans have doen so, and it's there where the conflict and issues take hold.

In a perfect world, the band could exist as is with everyone growing and adapting along with it--but this is real life and that doesn't happen in many facets of life. Everyone has a band that they liked, only to become dis-enchanted with them and eventually giving up. Of course, the die-hards will always remain. I guess my true thought is for Abox to keep the name, and hope that the other fans can accept what they've become, and enjoy the old, while perhaps finding an occasional favorite from the new.

Claude's very passionate about Anything Box as it's been his drean since the mid-80s. I'd hate to see him have to give up his dream just because the band's identity has been thrust into such a tiny and cramped little corner of the world.

~intro

January 28th, 2003, 09:25 PM

Steve B rocks. He'd rock harder if he would let me hear some of the new ABox material you know he's got. But I digress.

I think they should keep the band name. And I think people should either like their music or leave them alone. I've been fortunate enough to meet Claude a few times, and once I got to spend about four hours talking with him. From that experience I gathered that he's a man making the music he hears in his soul. He's not a puppet who makes music his fans want him to make (though he loves it when people enjoy his music).

In short, he's a man with the balls to do whatever the ¤¤¤¤ he wants to do, and I have a deep respect for that. I have more than respect for that. I'm a musician. He's the musician I want to be. He's a role model, a hero, to me. On top of that, what he's doing is amazing. He's one name on a very short list of musicians who have truly created a new sound. Nobody sounds like Anything Box. No one even sounds remotely similar.

People harping on about the past need to get over it. Leave the man alone. You people will disown a song if it has even a hint of a real instrument in it, and that proves you're more concerned with the production of the music and the elitism of being a synthpop artist than with good ¤¤¤¤ing songwriting.

For all the ranting I do on this site about quality production and making things sound good, in the end it all comes back to the song. If you don't have a good song, you don't have ¤¤¤¤.

Claude S has good songs. Hell, he has great songs. He'd throw something at me if he heard me say this (sorry bud!), but he's the best thing since John Lennon in my opinion. He's got songs that can make me cry. He's got songs that will make me dance around in my bedroom at three in the morning. He's got songs that make me sit in the parking lot of wherever I'm going and sing along until they're over.

I don't see how someone can't respect a good songwriter making the music he's always wanted to make.

That said... bring on TV. I'm excited to hear it.

-Mark
www.djintrovert.com

~jetjaguar15

January 28th, 2003, 09:29 PM

I agree. Claude & Anything Box have great songs - that's why I have stuck with them. I will admit to missing the past, but the future of this band is great. They have a novel sound, and know how to write a ultra-catchy melody without dumbing the song down.

~Steve B

January 29th, 2003, 08:25 PM

Originally posted by intro
Steve B rocks. He'd rock harder if he would let me hear some of the new ABox material you know he's got. But I digress.
-Mark
www.djintrovert.com

If only I could get my hands on the new stuff as well . . . the album's done, but the printing, the artwork . . . still in the works. I'm fortunate enough to get the occasional listen to some of the newer stuff before it goes public. Some oldies to . . . I assume everyone had a chance to listen to Susan's Carnival which is on my Boxoholic Page (which needs some major updating).

www.flash.net/~baldeaux

Anyway, maybe I can bug Claude if I see him, and try to get at least some kind of teaser out there in MP3 format.

By the way . . . It may be a little distant, but you die-hard So-Cals out there should try to make it to the upcoming Anything Box show in Mexicali, Mexico (just south of El Centro). For a Anything Box show on Friday, February 28. It's pretty much been confirmed. Heck it's only about 5 hours from LA, 4 from Orange County, and 2 from San Diego. many fans have made the trek to the El Centro shows in the past . . . spent the night in El Centro and headed back home the next morning. maybe some of you can make it too.

7red7

January 29th, 2003, 11:00 PM

An ABox show in my neck of the woods outside So. Cal I just might be able to make that one :)

As for the name debate, I still say keep it Anything Box...I mean thats it entirely isn't it??? The "Anything" Box...Anything is possible including a new sound and maturity in songs :)

****EDIT****

I did some searching online and it turns out my explanation is somewhat valid...Clause has said this about the band and it's name...

The moniker was derived from a book of short stories entitled, "The Anything Box", published in 1965. The title story (first published in 1956), was written by the late Zenna Henderson. It describes the adventure of a young girl who, by cupping her hands together, can see past the known universe and transcend reality, imagining it as she wishes it to be. Claude felt that the music he was writing was his 'Anything Box', and was inspired by the possibilities such a name offered. The identity was born…The wheels began to move…

Claude states: "Anything Box means that anything goes, that there are no rules, no genres, and there are no lyrical boundaries, no emotions that couldn’t or shouldn’t be tapped in the sake of self expression through art."

You see that guys and gals, no rules no genres anything goes...

DAN

~tclutz

January 29th, 2003, 11:30 PM

I have no problem with a band maturing and changing their sounds a little to keep up with the times. Case in point... De/Vision does this to perfection while maintaining their style in at least the same genre of music! BUT, Would AC/DC "maturing into a country music type style really be looked at by their fans as a refreshing change and just a natural progression in their musical style?
Give me a break! Abox has practically changed their music just as drastically and I guess some fans out of respect for their awesome classic music have given their new music enough listens that they have actually gotten used to a completely different genre of music that has lost all of its original qualities that made it great! I have friends who when they thought synthpop/new wave was dead in the 90s actually turned to country music because they no longer had the options of buying new Synthpop and they followed the masses in their area and started listening enough to country that they CONVERTED!
YUCK! BLASPHEMY! I have seen it, listening enough to something will convert almost anybody, BUT NOT ME! I am not that mindless, but you guys are welcome to call crappy music good if you like. I guess if Depeche Mode "matured" and started sounding like Hootie & The Blowfish, some of you fools would still follow along and think that was great too!
When Anythingbox lost their catchy beat and perfect melody, they began to suck! I will not blindly follow music that does not continue to at least stay true to the musical qualities that made it great in the first place. (At least stay in the same genre!)
I pray that someday Anythingbox will put out good Synthpop music again for their original hardcore fans. They once had some of the most devout hardcore fans of any band I had ever seen. Fans Jumping up and down and singing every word to every song in their concerts etc. Now most of their ORIGINAL fans dont even buy their new cds anymore! It seems like the band has turned their back on us with their complete change of genra/style.
Anyway, I have now vented and said my peace! :)

~blue_martian

January 29th, 2003, 11:44 PM

when is this new album Stereo TV being released?

7red7

January 30th, 2003, 12:52 AM

tclutz-

I don't think it's about mindlessness in the fans, I for one think the new DM sucks a** but thats another topic altogether...

Now back to ABox, it's like I and even apparently Claude said...It's not about rules or "genres"...Hence the band has the freedom to convert as you put it to anything they'd like while maintaining their name as long as it is their expression through the music :)

~interface2x

January 30th, 2003, 07:37 PM

I respectfully disagree, Tclutz.

I have seen it, listening enough to something will convert almost anybody, BUT NOT ME!

I can't really say that repeated listenings "forced" me to like the newer Anything Box material, but even if it had ... what's the problem? It's not like having something grow on you is "fooling" you. Either you liked it from the start or you liked it after some time ... both ways end positively. You have music you like. And if your friends abandoned synthpop for country ... does it matter? I imagine that they still like the old synthpop while liking the new country. Good for them - they broadened their horizons. I wish that I liked country music because if I did, there would be all kinds of great cd's out there for me. I just can't get into it, that's cool.

I will not blindly follow music that does not continue to at least stay true to the musical qualities that made it great in the first place. (At least stay in the same genre!)

Who said that we're following blindly? There are plenty of bands that I have dropped like a bad habit when they changed to a sound that didn't suit me. I didn't feel that I was obligated to continue to be a fan once I didn't like their material anymore. In this case, I continued to be a fan because I still like the music. I like a lot of different kinds of music - rock happens to be one. Good synthpop is good. Good rock is good. What difference does it make if I still find it good?

I can understand your frustration, especially with fans such as myself. It's fans like us that continue to encourage the band to pursue their musical interests. Without us, there's a chance that the band will see that the fans want the old stuff and might return to that sound. But it's just not realistic - it's not gonna happen. Sorry. Claude isn't playing this music because he thinks it's what people want to hear - obviously that hasn't been the case, as they have lost many of their old fans. He's making the music he wants to make, and losing a lot of his fans is the price he's willing to pay. I'm just lucky that I'm a fan who is just as interested in his new endeavors as I was in his old.

Now most of their ORIGINAL fans dont even buy their new cds anymore! It seems like the band has turned their back on us with their complete change of genra/style.

I have to admit that I've always had a problem with this kind of thinking. So their original fans don't like the new material ... that's their problem. Bands are not indentured servants, catering to the whim of a fickle fanbase. If you don't like the new stuff, don't buy it. There is a good back catalogue of material for you to enjoy as often as you like.

Yes, it's a shame that the old fanbase no longer supports the band, but it's not like they got ripped off. You pay your $15, you get a cd. Transaction ends here - the band doesn't owe you anything. You paid for the music, you got what you paid for. If you didn't like the cd ... sorry. You took the risk. What if they had made a synthpop album that really sucked? Same risk. And anything additional that you do (personal promotion, word of mouth) is done voluntarily by you. The band appreciates your help, but didn't expect it. You know going into a show these days that the majority of the setlist will come from the new material. If you don't like that, once again, don't go. It's that simple.

Once again, I respect your point of view here - in your place, I might also feel angry. But don't insult me by implying that I am not fully responsible for my being a fan of the new Anything Box material. I'm not a fool - I'm an adult and I can decide on my own if I like something or not. No one has fooled me into being a fan and no one has coerced me. I mean, I love Worth. One of my all-time favorite cd's. But I also love The Universe is Expanding. To each his own, I guess. If you ever want to discuss the old stuff, I'll be more than happy to join in the discussion with you - there's a lot of great stuff there.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I might put on Chris Isaak.

:)

7red7

January 30th, 2003, 07:48 PM

You go Colin, way to put it, I couldn't have said it better myself :)

~platformone

January 30th, 2003, 10:14 PM

I agree whole heartedly - Bands are living breathing entities... we are not required to approve of everything they do, nor are they required to constantly meet our approval. People grow... sometimes in different directions.

this is life...like what you do. I'm glad they still make music. And I continue to like it - not unless they write for the back street boys will i say they've sold out - or changed in a way i no longer respect.

" We grew apart, together apart." it happens...

-- Nigel

~intro

January 31st, 2003, 02:05 AM

Repeated listenings didn't force me to like the new Anything Box. I hated it on first listen. I listened to it a few more times and realized the same band were in there, just in different clothing.

As proof that repeated listening doesn't make me like something, no matter how many times I listen to Exciter, I can't stand it. It's absolute crap. It hasn't grown on me, and I doubt it ever will.

And, not that I'm a fan of country (I think it's as bad as all the boy bands and such), but what's wrong with your friends liking country and synthpop? Is there some rule that states a person is not allowed to like more than one genre of music? If so, then I'm in deep ¤¤¤¤...

-Mark
www.djintrovert.com

~TECHPO12

January 31st, 2003, 11:52 AM

Anything Box lost me the first time I listened to Electrodelica. I still remember taking the cd out of the player in my car rolling down the window and almost throwing the cd out the window, the only thing that stopped me was that I was poor and knew I could at least trade it in on something else. I am not a fan of the Beatles and to me it sounds like Claude tried to make Anything Box sound like a modern sounding American Beatles. I'm not saying Claude isn't talented because he is and I don't mind that he changed the style but I think he should have changed the name of the group. He'd never have any problems with being mistaken for a new wave group because no one would expect those songs from the new group. I too am sad he changed the sound of Anything Box, man, they'd be right up there with Iris as the kings of synthpop but that WILL NEVER BE. Claude is fine with changing the sound and I've mourned the death of a great synthpop act. The fact is life goes on and since Anything Box didn't change their sound with Electrodelica there's really no point in changing it now.

Techpo

~tclutz

February 2nd, 2003, 03:25 AM

Depeche Mode Exciter was a great case example. Almost any true Depeche Mode & Synthpop fan that have followed this band from the begining will agree that Exciter sucks compared to their earlier stuff. For those of you who follow the Depeche Mode forum, I also think its common knowledge that no matter how bad we KNOW IT SUCKS, there are a TON of people who think its great and some people even throw their praise of it being their best music!
Ok, most of us can agree these people must have no taste in music and probably are Not true Synthpop fans, but are fans of alternative music. Yes, they are welcome to their opinion, but I think most of us here will think they are crazy.
I am simply using this clear metaphor to illustrate my feelings for those of you who like the new Anythingbox. You are perfectly welcome to your opinion and the band is perfectly welcome to completely change their direction and suck if they want to. It doesnt mean that us Synthpop fans here have to like it! I also think you need to be crazy to like their new crap compared to their classic Synthpop, but again, if you like that thing, power to you as long as I dont have to listen to it!
Country music makes my skin crawl, and I am forced to listen to it in my friends car etc. Thats what sucks about it! Also, they have now closed their minds to giving newer synthpop a chance because Country has converted them and they dont want to switch back! I hope that does not happen to any of you with the new updated beetles rock wannabe sound Anythingbox is spewing out these days! :) He he

test

February 2nd, 2003, 06:42 PM

Originally posted by tclutz
Depeche Mode Exciter was a great case example. Almost any true Depeche Mode & Synthpop fan that have followed this band from the begining will agree that Exciter sucks compared to their earlier stuff. For those of you who follow the Depeche Mode forum, I also think its common knowledge that no matter how bad we KNOW IT SUCKS, there are a TON of people who think its great and some people even throw their praise of it being their best music!
Ok, most of us can agree these people must have no taste in music and probably are Not true Synthpop fans, but are fans of alternative music. Yes, they are welcome to their opinion, but I think most of us here will think they are crazy.
I am simply using this clear metaphor to illustrate my feelings for those of you who like the new Anythingbox. You are perfectly welcome to your opinion and the band is perfectly welcome to completely change their direction and suck if they want to. It doesnt mean that us Synthpop fans here have to like it! I also think you need to be crazy to like their new crap compared to their classic Synthpop, but again, if you like that thing, power to you as long as I dont have to listen to it!
Country music makes my skin crawl, and I am forced to listen to it in my friends car etc. Thats what sucks about it! Also, they have now closed their minds to giving newer synthpop a chance because Country has converted them and they dont want to switch back! I hope that does not happen to any of you with the new updated beetles rock wannabe sound Anythingbox is spewing out these days! :) He he

Dude, you are an ignorant person! I LOVE Exciter! I love depeche MODE. I am a hardcore fan who has followed this band for 17 years. Who are YOU to tell me that I must not be a fan because I love Exciter? I went to 16 Exciter shows in 2001. I LOVED every show. I will continue to see them when they tour next time. I will continue to purchase everything that they release here in the US.

I also LOVE iris, who are synthpop. Sorry, Reagan. I know he hates this term and so do I, but you have stated that anyone who likes Exciter must not be a "true" synthpop fan. I AM a TRUE synthpop fan. Just because YOU don't care for Exciter is NO reason to paint those of us who do, as people who have "no taste." I have PLENTY of taste, thank you!

As for your whining about Anything Box changing their sound, either accept it or MOVE on. The band cannot continue to write, produce and expect to sell Worth or Peace over and over. It's just not going to happen.

~interface2x

February 3rd, 2003, 01:22 PM

Almost any true Depeche Mode & Synthpop fan that have followed this band from the begining will agree that Exciter sucks compared to their earlier stuff.

I'm not sure I can agree with that. I like "Exciter". Well, sure, it's definitely a step down from the days of yore, but it's step up from "Ultra", if you ask me. Just because it isn't as good as the best stuff doesn't mean it's not good at all. I enjoy it, just not as much.

Ok, most of us can agree these people must have no taste in music and probably are Not true Synthpop fans, but are fans of alternative music.

Woah, slow down there, mister. No taste in music? Why, because they don't agree with yours? Interesting viewpoint.

And if being a "true Synthpop fan" requires that I rule over my favorite bands with a Nazi-like precision and an iron fist, then I guess I'm pretty glad I'm not like that. It sure would suck to have to deal with band after band discovering their own true musical identities instead of mimicking the stereotypes of a narrow genre. Let artists grow, that's when they tend to make the material that is most mature and emotional. That's when they gain their true identity.

I'm sure there were plenty of people ¤¤¤¤¤ing when Depeche Mode made "Black Celebration". Whatever happened to the good old days of "See You" and "Just Can't Get Enough"? They're trying to be all dark and mysterious now. They used to be good, but now they suck! Now would someone who said that be a "true Synthpop fan" because they prefer the more genre-related early material?

I do admit that I agree with you on one point ...

Yes, they are welcome to their opinion,

Yes, they certainly are ;)

~TECHPO12

February 3rd, 2003, 03:05 PM

I think some of you guys and gals are missing the big point tclutz was trying to make. The quality of music that Depeche Mode and Anything Box has made recently just isn't as good as it was in the past. Exciter has a few good songs and a bunch of okay songs, I gave up listening to Abox so I can no longer comment on their newest stuff but I'm guessing its like Electrodelica which= beatles rock. I can defend Depeche Mode because they can still bring out hits/classics unlike Abox. Depeche Mode stays electronic in differing ways Abox abandons electronic. Depeche Mode still gets interviewed in Keyboard magazine to talk about the synths they used Abox doesn't. Hmm, I kinda forgot the point I was trying to make with all these comparisons. Depeche Mode is still in the same vein of music as they always were Abox is emo rock/alternative rock now.

Techpo

~interface2x

February 3rd, 2003, 08:57 PM

The quality of music that Depeche Mode and Anything Box has made recently just isn't as good as it was in the past

Is it? I always thought art was subjective. Yes, I agree that Depeche Mode's material is not up to what they did previously, but who am I to say so?

But I guess what I'm trying to say is that I think I do get his point and I disagree. You guys are continually driving the point home: New Abox = Not Synthpop Anymore = Sucks. I won't agree with that assertion. I know we'll never see eye-to-eye on this but I still think that it's counter-productive to EVERYONE to simply and publicly bash a band because they don't fit into the narrow boundaries that you set for them. It's wasted energy - if you don't like it, fine. But what's the point of entering every Anything Box thread to voice how much you think they suck now?

I'll admit it - Anything Box is NOT synthpop anymore (although the last album had MORE electronics than real instruments). And you know what? I'm glad they're not. And I'm still a synthpop fan. And a rock fan. And a classical fan. I'm a music fan.

p.s. Have to edit this to add - Anything Box WERE, in fact, interviewed by Keyboard Magazine last year to discuss the synths they use...

~TECHPO12

February 4th, 2003, 03:45 PM

I stand corrected.

I do want to say that I'm not bashing anyone who likes Anything Box. Everyone is free to like who and what they will. Bashing ABox really doesn't get much done I'll try to keep the negative comments down to a minimum. Although they aren't really in this genre any more so techinically I could bash them as much as I bash Creed.

Techpo

~interface2x

February 4th, 2003, 06:03 PM

Yeah, but Creed deserves it ;)

~tclutz

February 4th, 2003, 09:08 PM

Sadly, some of you have missed the point. I hope you can have your favorite bands change to country or rap so you might begin to grasp at least glimmer of what I am saying. They maybe I wont keep hearing this artistic development/maturing sound crap that some of you hide behind to try and validate lousy music as still being the same quality as prior classics. You can call it what you will, but Bad music is Bad music, by any other name its still the same.
While depeche mode still uses an occasional synth and they have a couple ok songs, I still have a hard time calling their new music anything but alternative. Stephanie, if you like the newer stuff more than the older Synthpop stuff, it makes sense that you would be More of a fan of Alternative than Synthpop. Otherwise you would like their Synthpop albums more. This isnt rocket science! Not that its impossible for you to still like Synthpop music, but you have shown your cross over preference is more in the other direction.

Anyway, We probably should find a Rock forum for those of you who wish to continue to talk about newer Anythingbox becase they are NO LONGER SYNTHPOP! Last I checked, this was a forum for Synthpop & New Wave! :) he he Relax!

test

February 4th, 2003, 09:25 PM

Originally posted by tclutz

While depeche mode still uses an occasional synth and they have a couple ok songs, I still have a hard time calling their new music anything but alternative. Stephanie, if you like the newer stuff more than the older Synthpop stuff, it makes sense that you would be More of a fan of Alternative than Synthpop. Otherwise you would like their Synthpop albums more. This isnt rocket science! Not that its impossible for you to still like Synthpop music, but you have shown your cross over preference is more in the other direction.

Anyway, We probably should find a Rock forum for those of you who wish to continue to talk about newer Anythingbox becase they are NO LONGER SYNTHPOP! Last I checked, this was a forum for Synthpop & New Wave! :) he he Relax!

I never said that I like the newer stuff more than the older stuff. I love what dM has done in the past and what they continue to do now. My top five favorite dM albums are:

Black Celebration
Music for the Masses
Some Great Reward
Ultra
Construction Time Again

I don't care for alternative music as it is now. Here in Los Angeles, alternative is just another name for what I would call heavy metal. KROQ, which used to play dM now plays metal and rap. I cannot stand that type of music. That's what I consider to be alternative. dM aren't alternative according to that definition.

~tclutz

February 5th, 2003, 08:31 PM

OK, I have no problem with people who like Exciter, its better than lots of other stuff on the radio, its just really hard to imagine Synthpop fans thinking this cd (which totally lacks synths in my opinion) is superior to Violater, Black Celebration & Music for the Masses which are all time Synthpop classics! :)

test

February 5th, 2003, 09:29 PM

"Totally lacks synths." Then, what exactly did they use on: Shine, I Feel Loved, Comatose, I Am You, Love Theme and Easy Tiger???? They also used synths on: Dream On, The Dead of Night, Goodnight Lovers and Freelove to a certain extent. What would you say they used if they didn't use synths? Did they use typewriters????? They used synths. Yes, they also used guitar and drums--or clicks as some say.

~interface2x

February 5th, 2003, 09:38 PM

Originally posted by tclutz
Sadly, some of you have missed the point. I hope you can have your favorite bands change to country or rap so you might begin to grasp at least glimmer of what I am saying. They maybe I wont keep hearing this artistic development/maturing sound crap that some of you hide behind to try and validate lousy music as still being the same quality as prior classics.

I think you underestimate me ... do you honestly think that I've liked every direction every band I've ever liked has gone in? Of course not. There have been a lot of bands that released albums I consider to be mere shadows of their earlier work. Bands that completely changed and decided to go off in different directions. Do you know what I did? I cut my losses. I dealt with it. I moved on. I didn't repeatedly whine in every thread about these bands about how much their new direction sucked. I respect the opinions of people who like the new material and I realize that, while I may not like the new direction, that doesn't make it automatically lousy. I realized that, no matter how much I wanted them to, these bands weren't going to follow my whims and make the music I wanted to hear. I am not the god of all music. I cannot control my favorite bands. My preference is not the will of God.

You can call it what you will, but Bad music is Bad music, by any other name its still the same.

That's right - bad music is bad music. Unless you think the new material is GOOD MUSIC. Once again, you're presenting your opinion and taste in music as the final word. It's not. It's your opinion and, in the grand scheme of things, the only person it truly matters to is you. The same goes for all of us - no one really cares about anybody's opinions but their own.

While depeche mode still uses an occasional synth and they have a couple ok songs, I still have a hard time calling their new music anything but alternative. Stephanie, if you like the newer stuff more than the older Synthpop stuff, it makes sense that you would be More of a fan of Alternative than Synthpop. Otherwise you would like their Synthpop albums more. This isnt rocket science!

That's right, it's not rocket science - art has a gray area that can't be defined in such restrictive definitions. So let's say that I like the Erasure song "Spiralling". But I think that the orchestral version of "Two Ring Circus" is better ... does that mean I like classical music more than synthpop? It must, it's not rocket science. Then how can I explain the fact that I have tons of synthpop cd's and very few classical ones? And what happens if I like the more rock-oriented material of Anything Box, but I prefer the synthpop material over the rock-tinged material from De/Vision? Which am I ... a rock fan or a synthpop fan?

And why should it matter?

Not that its impossible for you to still like Synthpop music, but you have shown your cross over preference is more in the other direction.

I show many directions and preferences when it comes to music. I choose to like whatever appeals to me, no matter the genre. I'm human, not a preprogrammed machine whose tastes are predetermined for my life. If so, I apparently lost the rulebook of what I can and cannot like to still be considered a "synthpop fan." Are you telling me that your music collection is ONLY synthpop? If I were to look through your collection, I would not find a single cd of another genre? Because wouldn't that be the only way to be a "true synthpop fan", without veering off into some other genre's territory?

Anyway, We probably should find a Rock forum for those of you who wish to continue to talk about newer Anythingbox becase they are NO LONGER SYNTHPOP! Last I checked, this was a forum for Synthpop & New Wave! :)

Touché. Or you could just not click on threads devoted to bands that don't appeal to ya.

OK, I have no problem with people who like Exciter, its better than lots of other stuff on the radio, its just really hard to imagine Synthpop fans thinking this cd (which totally lacks synths in my opinion) is superior to Violater, Black Celebration & Music for the Masses which are all time Synthpop classics!

But it doesn't lack synths. It's 90% synth, it's just that there are guitars layered on top of it and the synths chosen aren't the super-synthetic sounds that we're used to hearing in so much electronic music. But listen closely for real instruments ... there aren't a whole lot of them aside from the guitars. Yes, more so than on "Violator", but still light years from a basic rock band.

test

February 5th, 2003, 09:51 PM

Oh, just so you know, I prefer Exciter to Violator. Exciter is my 6th favorite dM album. Violator is almost last on my list of favorites. That album brings back tons of horrible memories so I just can't bear to listen to more than: Personal Jesus, Halo, Waiting for the Night To Fall and Enjoy the Silence at one sitting. Black Celebration is my album! :D

~tclutz

February 7th, 2003, 02:28 AM

In case you didnt catch the clue which is not suprising, I said Exciter had some synth, but was "Lacking Synths" which means it could use a heck of a lot more synth/electronics and less guitar and drums etc. If you like catchy songs with smooth vocals and a "significant" amount of synthesizers (not drowned out in the guitar rock) this cd probably was a disappointment. From what I have read, the vast majority of DM fans in this forum agree. Again, this is in comparison to their earlier works, not to alternative radio crap.
Unfortunately each of their cds seem to be bringing this band closer to rock and much further away from Synthpop which is disapointing to at least a good majority of us in this forum!
Believe it or not, in my collection you will only find New Wave groups/groups from the 80s and a ton of Synthpop. If I were to have all sorts of rock bands or some other musical genre filling up a "substantial" part of my collection, I wouldnt consider myself a true syntpop fan/enthusiast. If you like Anythingbox as a rock band Better than when they were one of the all time great Synthpop bands, then I would have to say you have very bad musical taste, at lest when it comes to synthpop. (I would also be suprised if Synthpop was even your first choice in music)
This is a forum where we are encouraged to share our opinions and I have done so. I am not saying this is law, this is my opinion, if you dont agree with my opinion, tough shi#@%!

test

February 7th, 2003, 09:49 AM

You don't even know me to even be able to say that synth isn't my first choice in music. If you even knew me, you would know that synth pretty much encompasses my cd collection. I have a *few* rock cds and a *few* classical cds, but synth is 95% of my collection.

I give up on this thread. It's just too frustrating!

~tclutz

February 8th, 2003, 03:21 AM

Sorry Stephanie, the last part was directed at interface, not you.
I dont believe you were the one that stated that Anythingbox is better as a rock band than a Synthpop band. I hope there would not be more than one or two synthpop fans out there that would think of such blasphemy! :)

~interface2x

February 8th, 2003, 04:19 PM

Nope, just me :p

~VNV Demon

February 12th, 2003, 05:33 PM

tclutz is a bit out there when saying people who have a substantial type of music that's not synthpop filling their collection are not "true" synthpop fans.....Perhaps they're not absolute diehard fans, but they're fans nonetheless.

I do think tclutz is correct about Anything Box & Depeche Mode, though.

"Peace", "Worth", and "Hope" were fantastic albums....."Elektrodelica" and the other newer material are crap. For those of you who claim people who don't like the newer ABox CD's don't like them because they sound like they have a little guitar or whatever are a bit off. Of course, I loved DM's "Violator" and New Order's "Substance" & "Technique" CD's, all of which had guitars mixed in with the synthwork.....I also like a little bit of typical rock music such as U2, Lenny Kravitz, The Police, Men At Work, Sarah McLachlan, Billy Idol, etc....And even a select few songs by No Doubt, Bush, ZZ Top, Living Colour, Midnight Oil, and Faith No More. I don't listen to too much of those groups/artists, as I tire of them quickly whereas with electronic music (Especially synthpop) I can listen to all day.

I think the reason many Anything Box fans are bothered by ABox's new sound is because Anything Box was truly one of the greatest synthpop groups of their time, and could have gone to even greater heights. Instead, they will be remembered as a group who had 3 great albums (Which in and of themselves qualify ABox as greats in the synthpop realm) but decided to stray off to a different style of music which doesn't seem to appeal to many.......I feel a disappointment in this, but it doesn't bother me much. Well, it did bother me when I wasted money on "Elektrodelica", but I have accepted that they no longer make synthpop so it's no big deal to me. I'll just listen to their older songs, and listen to newer groups which appeal to me more, and that's that.

Depeche Mode have progressively gotten worse with each album from "SOFAD" and on. "Exciter" is definitely their worst yet....Gahan even changed his singing style for that album, his vocals made me cringe when I listened to the CD.

I just face facts and realize a lot of the older bands I listened to from the 80's (Or ABox, who were pretty much from the early 90's) no longer make music I like. The Pet Shop Boys sometimes make a song or two I like on each of their albums (Or I can count on a remix which I'd like, such as the Blade Dance Mix of "London"), but that's about it. Have you guys heard Erasure's new CD? I can't stand it, although there is a tolerable remix of "Solsbury Hill" out there.

I also wasn't impressed with VNV Nation's new album, and (Overall) Apoptygma Berzerk's past two albums. No big deal, as there are other groups/artists who are impressing me nowadays, such as Assemblage 23 with his "Defiance" album.

I'm pretty much rambling on here, but I guess I've said what I meant to say.

In conclusion, I urinate upon all that the new ABox sound stands for! Some may say it's like a modern version of the Beatles, but I disagree. I'm not much of a Beatles fan at all, but ANY Beatles material kicks major ass over ABox's Elektrodelica sound.

~tclutz

February 12th, 2003, 08:28 PM

I was looking for a term like absolute, hardcore or full time synthpop fan instead of true synthpop fan, but I guess I thought you could all read my mind. :) I obviously wasnt saying that these people were not synthpop fans to some degree. Just a lesser degree! ;)
Amen to the Anythingbox and Depech Mode analysis! I wish more people could open their eyes to their big decline!
I thought the new Erasure was way better than Loveboat, but that isnt hard to accomplish. Its not nearly as good as Cowboy, Innocents etc. I just got the new Iris CD today. Its good, but their first cd blew me away and this one is just good. Same with De/Vision's new CD, good but not blow you away good like some of thier previous cd's.

~VNV Demon

February 12th, 2003, 09:33 PM

Understood......And I hear you about fans who have gone away from synthpop to other genres. There's some guy I know who used to be a hardcore synthpop fan back in the 80's, was into Depeche before most people knew who they were, yet now he listens to bluegrass....That's right, ¤¤¤¤ing bluegrass music!

He doesn't know about any of the newer groups, but I don't think he would be into them anyway as his taste in music obviously changed.

I actually didn't care much for "Loveboat".....Erasure's last good album was probably "I Say I Say I Say"...."Cowboy" & "Erasure" had a couple good songs, but overall weren't as good as their previous efforts.

Anyway, it's good to see a true diehard synthpop fan ;)

As for Iris's new album, did you get the "Unknown" single? There's a remix by Matt Morris which isn't too bad at all. More synthpop than the album version.

~Eyuva

February 15th, 2003, 02:56 AM

Originally posted by tclutz
I have friends who when they thought synthpop/new wave was dead in the 90s actually turned to country music because they no longer had the options of buying new Synthpop and they followed the masses in their area and started listening enough to country that they CONVERTED!
YUCK! BLASPHEMY! I have seen it, listening enough to something will convert almost anybody, BUT NOT ME! I am not that mindless, but you guys are welcome to call crappy music good if you like. I guess if Depeche Mode "matured" and started sounding like Hootie & The Blowfish, some of you fools would still follow along and think that was great too!
:)

LMAO, thats funny... but I actually listened to country radio before I had ever heard a synthpop song, or a synthtune in general. :)
I still like some Willie Nelson & Johnny Cash to this day, and I love that new song, Riding with Private Malone. Country basslines have that hypnotic effect I like, especially some of the uptempo stuff.

As for synthpop, well Anything Box's new stuff just sucks, the first three albums had good songs on them. Depeche Mode, well Violator/Music for the masses are the only albums I really like by them. After Violator they sold-out into alternative rock, which is absolutely atrocious music.

I dont hate guitars, just the music people make with them. Make catchy guitar music with a flowing beat, ala Willie Nelson "on the road again", and I'll listen, make boring guitar music ala Dave Matthews Band or Hootie and the Blowfish and I'll go elsewhere. Geez, it's amazing how many girls go ga-ga for Dave Matthews Band, I'd swear they were some boyband or somesuch, minus well be with their annoying as hell music.