John Rabbit
Banned
so this thread gives me an opportunity to post something i've wanted to for a long time, but didn't think it necessarsily deserved it's own thread:
Mega, Mega White Thing: The Underworld OP
Who are Underworld?
Karl Hyde and Rick Smith currently comprise the studio version of Underworld. Their live performances involve Darren Price, a long-time friend and remixer of Underworld tunes. During the relative height of their popularity, Darren Emerson was a creative member of the band (as opposed to being a live-only member).
Karl and Rick have been making music together since the early 1980s under various names, having been Underworld since about 1987 and at the time made synthpop/rock. Underworld's music makes heavy use of big-room beats, arpeggiated synths, stream-of-consciouness-esque lyrics, guitars, reverberated vocal clips, and a lot of positive energy.
What genre is their music?
This depends on the track, really. They've produced techno, drum and bass, house, trance, dub, pop, ambient, etc etc. Most broadly, you could describe Underworld as progressive trance/house. Their albums are never one specific genre throughout.
Underworld? That name sounds familiar...
Underworld have crept to the fore of cultural relevance more than once. Most recently it was their score for the 2012 London Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony that caught everyone's attention; a production with long-time collaborator director Danny Boyle and Welsh drum and bass producer High Contrast (with whom the group has recently produced a number of tracks).
Before that their track Born Slippy/Born Slippy NUXX gained a lot of attention in the late 90s with it's appearance in Trainspotting (a Danny Boyle film). For many people, this is their only exposure to the group; it remains a fan favorite to this day, however. Some people know it as the "Lager, lager, lager" song.
In 1993, Underworld released Cowgirl, perhaps most widely heard in the 1995 film Hackers. The album it came from, dubnobasswithmyheadman, was critically praised for combining a lot of then popular electronic music genres (acid house, dub, and techno) into one cohesive aesthetic.
If you've seen a Danny Boyle film, you've probably heard something by Underworld (with a few exceptions).
Why are they important?
Underworld have been reponsible for some of the most forward-thinking and relevant electronic music in the past 20 years. They are frequently cited by a host of electronic artists as inspirations and role models; their music transcends genre boundaries without relying on popular trends or pandering to the Top 40 crowd. Underworld can be seen as forerunners to the "big room/big beat" sound that started in the late 90s and continues to this day. There are few musical acts on par with their level of artistic output and production technique.
Underworld is frequently noted for heavy improvisation during live performances. Honed over many years, their stage setup allows for Karl and Rick to explore just about any musical avenues they wish within their music. You may hear a version of "King of Snake" that only you and the crowd around you will ever hear. More recently, they have taken a more traditional approach to performing live, with less improvisation, but setlists and order will vary from show to show.
Alright, shutup, gimme some tunes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=G_SBPZ_pdv4 - King of Snake live performance from 1999 (1999) *probably the most "quintessenial" Underworld track, I would watch this first
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYk7U7fMlPM - Cowgirl live performance from 1999 (1993)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-r9M5D40hM - Always Loved A Film (2010)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NN2PFjs0A0 - Dinosaur Adventure 3D (2002)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvc-zfK8G38 - Born Slippy NUXX live performance from 2010 (1997)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5GjVvlmg3o - Pearl's Girl (1996)
Okay, I really like what I'm hearing, where do I start?
You start with their 2000 live album, Everything, Everything. It's a mix of live performances from a 1999 world tour. While by now it lacks literally half of their catalog as a band, it's still a great introduction to their music and their live sound. It's my favorite album of all time.
From there, I'd explore whatever albums have your favorites from Everything, Everything and then maybe move to their 2010 album Barking. Their least accessible albums are 2002's A Hundred Days Off and 2007's Oblivion with Bells. Those albums are more subdued and lack a lot of the big room flash of their other productions.
I'm seeing a lot of dates from the 20th century here, whats Underworld up to right now?
Aside from working on the 2012 Summer Games Opening Ceremony, Karl Hyde is about to release a solo album (so far the tracks from it are very mellow and only tangentially related to Underworld).
Otherwise the band has said they are working on new material, and hopes to announce a tour sometime later this year. The website borndirty.org is always up to date with Underworld news.
Any final words?
Underworld's music rewards patience and attention. There are layers to their sound; even today I'll hear a track I'm familiar with and get caught on a new series of notes or a sound I wasn't really focused on before. A lot of their more subdued songs are just as amazing and enjoyable as their big club bangers, but you have to give them a little time. If you find you're not digging an Underworld track within the first minute, give it some time to develop. Some of my least favorite Underworld tracks from 10-15 years ago are some of my favorites today.
Mega, Mega White Thing: The Underworld OP
Who are Underworld?
Karl Hyde and Rick Smith currently comprise the studio version of Underworld. Their live performances involve Darren Price, a long-time friend and remixer of Underworld tunes. During the relative height of their popularity, Darren Emerson was a creative member of the band (as opposed to being a live-only member).
Karl and Rick have been making music together since the early 1980s under various names, having been Underworld since about 1987 and at the time made synthpop/rock. Underworld's music makes heavy use of big-room beats, arpeggiated synths, stream-of-consciouness-esque lyrics, guitars, reverberated vocal clips, and a lot of positive energy.
What genre is their music?
This depends on the track, really. They've produced techno, drum and bass, house, trance, dub, pop, ambient, etc etc. Most broadly, you could describe Underworld as progressive trance/house. Their albums are never one specific genre throughout.
Underworld? That name sounds familiar...
Underworld have crept to the fore of cultural relevance more than once. Most recently it was their score for the 2012 London Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony that caught everyone's attention; a production with long-time collaborator director Danny Boyle and Welsh drum and bass producer High Contrast (with whom the group has recently produced a number of tracks).
Before that their track Born Slippy/Born Slippy NUXX gained a lot of attention in the late 90s with it's appearance in Trainspotting (a Danny Boyle film). For many people, this is their only exposure to the group; it remains a fan favorite to this day, however. Some people know it as the "Lager, lager, lager" song.
In 1993, Underworld released Cowgirl, perhaps most widely heard in the 1995 film Hackers. The album it came from, dubnobasswithmyheadman, was critically praised for combining a lot of then popular electronic music genres (acid house, dub, and techno) into one cohesive aesthetic.
If you've seen a Danny Boyle film, you've probably heard something by Underworld (with a few exceptions).
Why are they important?
Underworld have been reponsible for some of the most forward-thinking and relevant electronic music in the past 20 years. They are frequently cited by a host of electronic artists as inspirations and role models; their music transcends genre boundaries without relying on popular trends or pandering to the Top 40 crowd. Underworld can be seen as forerunners to the "big room/big beat" sound that started in the late 90s and continues to this day. There are few musical acts on par with their level of artistic output and production technique.
Underworld is frequently noted for heavy improvisation during live performances. Honed over many years, their stage setup allows for Karl and Rick to explore just about any musical avenues they wish within their music. You may hear a version of "King of Snake" that only you and the crowd around you will ever hear. More recently, they have taken a more traditional approach to performing live, with less improvisation, but setlists and order will vary from show to show.
Alright, shutup, gimme some tunes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=G_SBPZ_pdv4 - King of Snake live performance from 1999 (1999) *probably the most "quintessenial" Underworld track, I would watch this first
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYk7U7fMlPM - Cowgirl live performance from 1999 (1993)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-r9M5D40hM - Always Loved A Film (2010)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NN2PFjs0A0 - Dinosaur Adventure 3D (2002)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvc-zfK8G38 - Born Slippy NUXX live performance from 2010 (1997)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5GjVvlmg3o - Pearl's Girl (1996)
Okay, I really like what I'm hearing, where do I start?
You start with their 2000 live album, Everything, Everything. It's a mix of live performances from a 1999 world tour. While by now it lacks literally half of their catalog as a band, it's still a great introduction to their music and their live sound. It's my favorite album of all time.
From there, I'd explore whatever albums have your favorites from Everything, Everything and then maybe move to their 2010 album Barking. Their least accessible albums are 2002's A Hundred Days Off and 2007's Oblivion with Bells. Those albums are more subdued and lack a lot of the big room flash of their other productions.
I'm seeing a lot of dates from the 20th century here, whats Underworld up to right now?
Aside from working on the 2012 Summer Games Opening Ceremony, Karl Hyde is about to release a solo album (so far the tracks from it are very mellow and only tangentially related to Underworld).
Otherwise the band has said they are working on new material, and hopes to announce a tour sometime later this year. The website borndirty.org is always up to date with Underworld news.
Any final words?
Underworld's music rewards patience and attention. There are layers to their sound; even today I'll hear a track I'm familiar with and get caught on a new series of notes or a sound I wasn't really focused on before. A lot of their more subdued songs are just as amazing and enjoyable as their big club bangers, but you have to give them a little time. If you find you're not digging an Underworld track within the first minute, give it some time to develop. Some of my least favorite Underworld tracks from 10-15 years ago are some of my favorites today.
