Tag: industrial rock

612. Throbbing Gristle

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(November 2024) Episode 612 of the “opus project” is THROBBING GRISTLE, considered pioneers of industrial music. A performance art group intent on antagonizing and subverting, Throbbing Gristle thrusts an array of mechanical and electronic sounds at you. It’s not unstructured but is certainly unconventional, and the rhythmic elements keep it from sounding like chaotic noise-making. The vocals, when deployed, are transgressive and dark. Their most accessible (and acclaimed) album, the sarcastically-named 20 Jazz Funk Greats, fits well in the post-punk of the year of its release (1979), bridging the Krautrock and synth-pop eras. But it’s an outlier in contrast to their general anti-musical approach.

Favourite album: The Second Annual Report

Favourite song: Very Friendly

Compared to expectations: same ↑

Recommendation: As if you couldn’t tell, this is not for everyone. Start with 20 Jazz Funk Greats, although I tend to favor the raw rusting factory material.

502. Faust

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(June 2023) Episode 502 is FAUST. Unlike most of the other German outfits listed as Krautrock, they never ventured beyond their experimental roots.  Their approach eschewed conventional structure and form, but in doing so they influenced the development of ambient and industrial music. Their discography lacks an iconic album (such as Can’s Tago Mago or Kraftwerk’s Autobahn) that identifies the band, but that also means it will require me to return to the recordings several times to appreciate it more. After a 70s heyday, they reunited in the 90s for a long string of eclectic albums.

Favorite album: Faust IV

Favorite song: Krautrock

Favorite late-period song: Fresh Air

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: Maybe too esoteric for most, but try Faust IV, Ravvivando or Fresh Air to see if it appeals.

76. Nine Inch Nails

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(February 2016) I have completed episode 76 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s complete discography from start to finish. This episode: NINE INCH NAILS. Trent Reznor’s rage-laden tecnho/industrial sound wears thin fast. But The Downward Spiral still blows my mind every time.

Favorite album: The Downward Spiral

Favorite song: I Do Not Want This

Compared to expectations:  same

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