Reasons to be cheerful part 3

There's an interesting discussion going on over on RA in response to Philip Sherburne's final 'Month in Techno' column of 2008 for Pitchfork. If you're too lazy to read the comments -  which  I nonetheless urge you to look at as they are more considered and less snarky than most net chatter - there seems to be a sense of gloom or mild despair hanging over those who write and document this music about the way the whole scene is going. I understand where this sentiment is coming from as it's  very, very difficult to make and release music these days without some other form of financial support, while as for most of the music that's being released... it's not that it's bad, it's just that it's so average, a far worse crime in my book. However, as the year drags to an end, I feel quite differently to some of the posters. So much great music has come out in the past 12 month and the times I've been out, either to play or to party, I've felt that the energy and passion is still there. As for the lack of inspirational discourse, I would disagree on this point too. There are loads of excellent outlets online, both mags and blogs, where people at the coalface can express their views and engage in (often passionate) discussion about their likes and dislikes. Compare this to the situation even five years ago, when the top-heavy hierarchy of the print mags still ruled, and it's hard to deny that the situation has improved. It may sound glib, but anyone who has doubts about electronic music should just 'get out more'. With economies collapsing everywhere and mass unemployment looming, pretty soon, there may not be much else to do.

Comments

[teleost]

if anyone in London fancies following through on this excellent advice, Kassem Mosse is playing live at Bar Music Hall on Curtain Road tomorrow night...and best of all it's free!

[tudum]

For me this year's been great regarding exciting releases, even better than 04, 05, 06, 07 if you want. Mr. Sherburne is complaining too much. I mean - 2008 has brought us excellent releases from for example: Marcel Dettmann, Shed, Jason Fine, Move D, Silent Servant, Function, Andy Stott, Peverelist, Headhunter, 2562, Martyn, Oracy, Elliott Dodge, Omar S, Lowlow, Kassem Mosse, Shackleton, Scuba, Seldom Felt, Mike Dehnert etc etc...

Maybe we could talk about energy, enthusiasm, or something like that, but regarding wax releases - 2008 was a blast IMHO.

[Ronan]

the model for the discourse has definitely improved from the print days but that model has been with us for far longer than this year in fairness.

[teleost]

Bad news - if anyone was actually considering following through on that Kassem Mosse night, his myspace says he's down with antibiotics and it's cancelled. Bummer.

There are some great parties coming up though...
15th - Ricardo
28th - Prosumer
13th Dec - Efdemin & Jus-Ed...

party through the long nights!

[Brophy]

the model for the discourse has definitely improved from the print days but that model has been with us for far longer than this year in fairness. - that's true, but this new model is more fluid, ever-changing and more democratic, eg it allows an infinite amount of people to become critics and commentators through the use of blogs etc. back in the 90s when print mags were at the height of their powers, there were only ever a few outlets, like four or five to read about electronic music. now the variety on offer is far far greater (and hopefully will keep expanding)....

[Steve]

I agree with you quite strongly, Richard. Every time I see these malaise-heavy columns I ask myself if we're experiencing different scenes or if they are having trouble enjoying the trees for all the forest surrounding it. I suspect there's a high degree of burnout going around that makes a year without true paradigm shifts look like a shitty placeholder.

For me, all genres of music, but especially house and techno because of their single-based format, are full of chaff that repeats popular formulas to no end. To say that this sours the entire year would mean the same for so many years previous, except for when new sounds emerged and evolved for the first time.

Personally, I'm quite happy with a lot of music released this year and I keep finding new delights each month. I think this year is surprisingly strong for albums even as endless reviewers and pundits declare the format dead: Shed, Osborne, Prosumer & Murat, DJ Sprinkles, Deadbeat, Lee Jones, Bruno Pronsato, Damian Schwartz, Carl Craig & Moritz von Oswald, Stefan Goldmann, Flying Lotus, Mike Shannon, The Mole, Hercules & Love Affair all put out fantastic albums which may not have redefined techno/house/disco as we know it, but sound excellent to these ears and have yielded hundreds of happy spins. Singles have been great, too, but that list gets too long and labored.

The same goes for the discourse. Perhaps there haven't been many thesis-worthy arguments presented (not all of us are dance music philosophers), but I feel like the blogs I read and support have drawn my ears and eyes to a lot of releases I would have otherwise missed and helped push good music to the forefront, regardless of its popularity or hipness. If that's not enough, I don't know what is.

[kuri]

To these ears 2008 was an above average year for releases on the single format. Not stellar but with lots of new talent coming to the forefront of techno and house camps. And while I recognize that there was a lot of redundant sounds abounding, there was enough passion and realness brought to music by a lot of these emerging artists that really inspired me to purchase quite a bit of music this year.

As for discourse, I don't see that a lot has changed except for overall visibility of the outlets. The quality of discussions hasn't deviated all that much in terms of music criticism but what blogs and some webzines have brought is an ability for authorship that can be more genuine and thoughtful (with unlimited word counts if so desired). It's great to see people write about and expose deserving artists that don't get enough attention. And most of all this media allows for a greater interaction between writer/reader and ultimately the music (both good and bad).

[Martin Dust]

I could list 100 singles and 50 albums with ease, been a good year I feel. Cheer up.

[chrisdisco]

i don't have too much to add, besides noting that i agree completely.

[hum3]

Just last week shopped around and bought...

Pepe Bradock - Pistes Insolites Vol.3
Rother/Hell - Body Farm
Francesco Tristano / Moritz Von Oswald - Auricle
Echoecho - The Vampire Ep
Bjork - Dull Flame of Fire (Modeselektor rmxs)
Sten - Way to the Stars

...and they are all ace. Even had to put some releases back, because of budgetary reasons. (Spoiled for choice, now that's been a while!)

It definitely feels like some great stuff is coming out just as much as last year - if not more.