J. Dan Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 A lot of times the more electronic styles of music tend to be pop, dance, or if it's rock, still guitar oriented with great playing but on organ, AP/EP, or a minimoog solo. I'm a fan of electronic music, but don't want it all happy, and still prefer decent songwriting to just mind numbing exercises in making beats and cool sounds. In my younger days, I've been a rabid fan of Depeche Mode and Soft Cell (nto tainted love - listen to "art of falling apart" album). I eventually got into NIN and some of the other industrial stuf that's more aggressive/heavy and eventually seemed to still be pretty guitar heavy. I suppose people might drive me towards EMO but most of it just hasn't resonated with me. I was also a huge fan of the first Sneaker Pimps album but was disappointed with everything that came after. I like Portishead to a lesser extent - not enough diversity in the songs for me. I like Garbage quite a bit though again, less electronic and more guitar but at least it's in the ballpark. Any suggestions of anything I may have missed over the years or anything new? Hopefully I gave a good enough idea of what I'm looking for. Quote Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drohm Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 How about some dark ambient? https://www.lustmord.com/ Also, not really electronic music, but Porcupine Tree has some great stuff with synth blending on the darker side. I think Moby has some stuff in the non-happy electronic category. I will look through my playlists when I get home. I know I am not remembering something... Quote NS3C, Hammond XK5, Yamaha S7X, Sequential Prophet 6, Yamaha YC73, Roland Jupiter X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Motif Max Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 Depends what you mean by happy. Plenty of "dark"-sounding synth music. Dark pop, darkstep, etc. Kebu isn't too bad, though not my thing at all. Quote Yamaha: Motif XF8, MODX7, YS200, MX61, CVP-305, CLP-130, YPG-235, PSR-295, PSS-470 | Roland: Fantom 7, JV-1000 Kurzweil: PC3-76, PC4 (88) | Hammond: SK Pro 73 | Korg: N1R, X5DR | Emu: Proteus/1 | Casio: CT-370 | Novation: Launchkey 37 MK3 Former: Emu Proformance Plus & Mo'Phatt, Korg Krome 61, Roland Fantom XR & JV-1010, Behringer CAT Yamaha Pacifica 112V & APX600 | Washburn WI64 | Ibanez BTB-675 | Roland TD-17 KVX | Alesis SamplePad Pro | Assorted organs, accordions, other instruments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 Drake's music tends to be in minor keys and uses dark synth pads and drones. Sounds like musical heroin to my ears but the younger folks dig it. I have XM radio. The Chill station plays downtempo tracks. There's no shortage of music with darker tones and moods. Youtube is a great resource. Type in your favorite artists and follow the recommended listening. Quote PD "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spider76 Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 Anything by Radiohead after Kid A / Amnesiac. And of course everything by Thom Yorke's main inspiration, Aphex Twin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorSilver Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 How about some dark ambient? https://www.lustmord.com/ I believe Eliane Radigue laid some of the foundation for dark ambient when she was recording works like this on her ARP 2500 - "Trilogy of The Dead" - sounds like a dark title to me! [video:youtube] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted October 31, 2018 Author Share Posted October 31, 2018 I don't care for ambient. I like solid song structure with lyrics. I have some apex twin that I like, but most of it is not my cup of tea. Some decent money and radio head, maybe I should dig a little deeper. Some others here for me to check out. Think less ambient, pads, instrumental and more solid electronic but songs with lyrics. Something ranging from Depeche Mode to NIN is bast I can describe. Machines of loving grace was another good one, but still leaning more industrial and I'd rather it be more electronic. Quote Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drohm Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 Have you tried this site? https://www.music-map.com/ https://www.music-map.com/machines+of+loving+grace.html Quote NS3C, Hammond XK5, Yamaha S7X, Sequential Prophet 6, Yamaha YC73, Roland Jupiter X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorSilver Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 I don't care for ambient. I like solid song structure with lyrics. I have some apex twin that I like, but most of it is not my cup of tea. Some decent money and radio head, maybe I should dig a little deeper. Some others here for me to check out. Think less ambient, pads, instrumental and more solid electronic but songs with lyrics. Something ranging from Depeche Mode to NIN is bast I can describe. Machines of loving grace was another good one, but still leaning more industrial and I'd rather it be more electronic. How about Massive Attack? [video:youtube] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksoper Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 This may not be exactly what you're looking for, but The Art of Noise's In Visible Silence, to me, is dark and smart. Fairlight from front to back. The first cut, Opus 4, always makes me laugh. Quote 9 Moog things, 3 Roland things, 2 Hammond things and a computer with stuff on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted October 31, 2018 Author Share Posted October 31, 2018 Have you tried this site? https://www.music-map.com/ https://www.music-map.com/machines+of+loving+grace.html I was not familiar with that site - looks pretty cool, I'll have to play around with it. Here are just a few videos from some of the bands I've mentioned to give an idea.... [video:youtube]wjP-IOxJx94 [video:youtube]DTx4pBS6uq4 [video:youtube]vyrpRzdvp5U [video:youtube]2iGt5lfYP_0 [video:youtube]TmDkzVvherk [video:youtube]xk5Ki3qv-Dk Quote Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorSilver Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 Xeno and Oaklander - they said the downside of touring with so much analog gear is the maintenance costs, but... [video:youtube] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Emm Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 "Dark" is relative, of course, but I'm a long-time fan of OMD for their unique personality. I likewise recommend Rupert Hine's solo works "Immunity" and "Waving Not Drowning." Rupert is a good producer, so part of his work is a showcase for studio craft. While I'm mentioning 80s folks, I also recommend 'Kissing The Pink.' They only released 2 LPs and I'm sorry there weren't more. They were an odd sort of cut-above group in quality. All of these bands had thoughtful lyrics that broke with pop tradition by generally aiming *above* the crotch. I heart literacy. Quote "Did your father include 'self-righteous, moralistic ass' to your programmed personality, robot? Listening to you is like being forced to endure a vinyl recording of country music with a skip in it." ~ "Universe X" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathanael_I Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 Try Celldweller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 [video:youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9Bqu81QrIA Quote Moe --- "I keep wanting to like it's sound, but every demo seems to demonstrate that it has the earth-shaking punch and peerless sonics of the Roland Gaia. " - Tusker http://www.hotrodmotm.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timwat Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 "Dark", yes, pretty subjective. I personally don't listen to much of this stuff, but well here are some references: [video:youtube] [video:youtube] [video:youtube] [video:youtube] And one I dislike quite a bit: [video:youtube] Quote .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carter_ Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 Most of the Warp label. Certainly all of Autechre - I'd start with Amber, then Tri Repetae. Quote U1 | NP | NS3 | NE3 HP | K10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drawback Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 Clearly I dont know this stuff from a hole in the ground, but it seems to me you can just buy the software and do whatever now. [video:youtube] Quote ____________________________________Rod victoria bc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted October 31, 2018 Author Share Posted October 31, 2018 Not looking for instrumental stuff. Most of it is just background music and gets really repetitive and boring. Listen to the examples I shared. I want songs....which admittedly I may define differently than others....music is not necessarily a song to me. I want lyrics and melody in some sort of format - verses and choruses - and a message and/or story. Electronic but not cold - needs to still have depth of feeling and emotion and be interesting songs, not just something that sounds cool and repeats over an electronic drum beat. This is partially why it becomes difficult to find some of the less mainstream stuff, because everybody apparently identifies with and defines this stuff differently. Quote Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted October 31, 2018 Author Share Posted October 31, 2018 Xeno and Oaklander - they said the downside of touring with so much analog gear is the maintenance costs, but... This one has some potential. First track is a little blippy for my tastes and vocals are a bit washed out on the reverb, but worth looking into some more. Quote Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted October 31, 2018 Author Share Posted October 31, 2018 Try Celldweller. This one has some potential....reminds me a little of Machines of Loving Grace - stylistically, a little more to the rock/guitar side of things but lots of synth goodies in there. Quote Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted October 31, 2018 Author Share Posted October 31, 2018 Seems like maybe Visage could possibly have some potential but the only song I know by them is this one: [video:youtube]PeGTJOFSIgU My idea of "Dark" is not necessarily Marilyn Manson or Skinny Puppy or stuff like that, just not all happy and bouncy and bright. Some bands delve into both type - look at The Cure (not as synthy as I'm looking for, but still one of my favorites). Stuff like "Why Can't I Be You" is almost manic and "Friday I'm in Love" is very upbeat, but then you have "Lullaby" or "Disintegration". While it's not heavy or evil or anything like that, doesn't get much "Darker" (by my definition) than this: [video:youtube]V35cxutR7gc But again, looking for more electronic/synth driven type stuff along the style. Quote Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doerfler Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 But again, looking for more electronic/synth driven type stuff along the style. Ok, Dan, I've never discussed this here on this forum but I have seen The Cure about 20 times in concert going back to 1985. I think you might like "Mixed Up", which are dance remixes that Robert Smith created for his singles and are heavily synth based. Here is a You Tube link [video:youtube] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 Done. I have everything ever done by the cure and Depeche Mode not to me thing others. Trying to expand But again, looking for more electronic/synth driven type stuff along the style. Ok, Dan, I've never discussed this here on this forum but I have seen The Cure about 20 times in concert going back to 1985. I think you might like "Mixed Up", which are dance remixes that Robert Smith created for his singles and are heavily synth based. Here is a You Tube link [video:youtube] Quote Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 Me thing = mention Quote Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iconoclast Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Really surprised no one has mentioned Metric. I guess they have a poppy label but a lot of their stuff is, when you actually listen to the lyrics, pretty dark. Plus, even though they're thoroughly modern they have that 80s feel to their production and they play DSI sythns on stage! [video:youtube] Quote You want me to start this song too slow or too fast? Forte7, Nord Stage 3, XK3c, OB-6, Arturia Collection, Mainstage, MotionSound KBR3D. A bunch of MusicMan Guitars, Line6 stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAJUSCULE Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 [video:youtube] [video:youtube] [video:youtube] Quote Eric Website Gear page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamanczarek Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Hopefully there are a few here you haven't heard before. Many of the 80's Synth bands had one or two well known songs and only a few like Depeche Mode had a large body of high quality music. Here are some examples of Synth-oriented music in a darker style I liked in the 80's and still do. [video:youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDZHApjM-SQ [video:youtube] [video:youtube] [video:youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd_8NZaoc4Y [video:youtube] [video:youtube] [video:youtube] [video:youtube] [video:youtube] [video:youtube] [video:youtube] Quote C3/122, M102A, Vox V301H, Farfisa Compact, Gibson G101, GEM P, RMI 300A, Piano Bass, Pianet , Prophet 5 rev. 2, Pro-One, Matrix 12, OB8, Korg MS20, Jupiter 6, Juno 60, PX-5S, Nord Stage 3 Compact Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Yazoo is great. Early Thompson Twins. Gary Numan. Try Are Friends Electric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 Really surprised no one has mentioned Metric. I had not heard of them. I wasn't entirely sold on the video you posted, but I listened to a few more songs and I like it! Quote Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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