BT - Movement In Still Life

[Rog]

I thought I'd check out some BT after hearing people rave about him. I've just listened to the album and man it's rubbish! OK, I'm being a little harsh but there are some REALLY cheesy beats in there and very predictable breakdowns. One track even sounds like some boy band shite :( Am I missing something?

[Hippie]

[quote]Originally posted by Rog: [b] Am I missing something?[/b][/quote]Yes, who is 'BT'? :)

[Rog]

An American (or maybe Canadian) supposed electonic/dance guru.

[The T Dot]

He's alright. But I'd rather listen to underworld, massive attack, zero 7, air, portishead and sneaker pimps.

[Alndln]

[quote]Originally posted by Rog: [b]there are some REALLY cheesy beats in there and very predictable breakdowns. [/b][/quote]Call me old but I tend to agree.There are some rabid Brian Transau fans out there and it puzzles me somewhat.

[Tedster]

Yeah...it's not fair...my music sucks and no one likes it. How come this guy's music can suck and a lot of people like it? :D :D :D

[Addix Metzatricity]

I'm in the same boat... I think you need to get someone fairly reputable to tell people that they SHOULD like it. And chances are, they will... Or just play it at a club with a bunch of kids high on E, I'm sure they'll love just about anything.........or anyone.

[DJDM]

Well I for one actually like his work and I saw him open up for The Crystal Method. He blew them out of the water. But in the end if you guys are looking for lots of chops and soloing ability I can see why you would be let down. Yes some of his stuff is predictable and yes some of it is less than ground breaking but his overall feel if amazing. His use of breakdowns in this style is uncanny and interesting. His sounds are really beautiful. If you don't like this style of trancy dance euro trash music he will not appeal but if you do he is one of the best out there. Great remixer as well in this style. This issue has been beaten to death in electronic forums that I hang at and in the end you either like trance music or you don’t. I think it is an acquired taste and since I misspent most of my youth in dance clubs it works for me. It’s not about musicianship per say or chops, its about capturing a feel that is as real as your last cup of coffee to many people. Kinda like country music. Not a lot of weak opinions about that. In or out usually. Think of it this way: BT is a gateway to a life that makes sense to almost no one that has not been really sweaty dancing their ass off at 3 am on a Sunday morning surrounded by people who are all doing the same exact thing. - DJDM

[Beatheavy]

Are you missing something? Not if you don't appreciate electro music and fierce programming. But if you do, you really need to get ESCM by BT then you might understand that he was at the forefront of what has been dubbed "Trance" music. Movement In Still Life is a brilliant album with deep textures, great melodies and sick programming! That's just my opinion. :D

[robmix]

I first heard him when he opened for Olive and I was totally impressed. That was promoting ESCM. I really liked ESCM but have a hard time listening to Movement in Still Life. It's not as interesting and the weak hiphop grooves are tiresome. Rob

[sweibel]

After reading article after article about how great, innovative, multitalented and diverse BT was and how much work he puts into a single break and time correcting every beat, I got curious and bought a used copy of ESBM and Moments in Still Life. Generally, I was really disappointed. I can listen to about 1 minute of a song and then feel the urge to skip to the next one. The songs are incredibly repetitive which I guess is what you need to dance to. But I must say that I feel that the albums are very well recorded and mixed. BT or whoever does the engineering understands sonic layering and balancing really well.

[Intheether]

What DJDM said. Also, BT is a ground breaker in terms of [i]introducing[/i] America to Trance, like it or not. He's an amazing arranger and producer, but not neccesarily a great sonwritter, IMHO. Kind of like Moby, who's talents also rely more on his production chops. Listen to Movement in the context of other electronic acts at the same time. He was introducing many different production and recording styles which heavily influenced other electronic acts. Trance is not my cup of tea either, but I do respect BT for his remixing and producing talents.

[Brakka]

I like electronic music, but I don't go to clubs. I don't dance. So I don't really like trance & house. But I can tell from listening that BT knows his shit. He knows "house." And he's a "both-sides-of-the-brain" kind of guy; tech and feel. I think his breakdowns are pretty imaginative, plus they take a shitload of programming- not just mutes and a techno snare roll. To do both well- understanding the clubs and the manual- is an achievement, in my book. :thu: ...but I didn't buy his album. :o :) --- There were two issues of [i]MacAddict[/i] magazine last year that included video interviews with BT- pretty cool. They did a "camera-over-the-shoulder" while he was working on some stuff, including that Sarah McL remix.

[Felix_dup1]

I listen to electronic dance music, and I like BT's stuff. The production is stellar and his sounds are really great. As far as acts in this genre go, BT has produced a much wider range of work, from soundtracks to hip-hop, to pop, to "trance." He's collaborated with the likes of Tori Amos, Sara McLachlan and others, including Peter Gabriel (this material is scheduled to appear on BT's next release). And unlike most electronic dance music, BT's stuff has a stronger melodic and compositional element. If you're not into dance music, it's going to sound repetitive. Dance music is repetitive by nature. But it's more about how the arrangement and the sounds change over time than verse-chorus-verse song structures or songs that rely on lyrics or chord progressions more. As far as electronic dance music goes, I think his branching into hip-hop, alternative rock, and pop has discouraged some of his hardcore electronica fans. Read interviews with BT in magazines like Keyboard, and you may see where he's earned some of his respect. The guy is a braniac with wicked technology chops. And while I haven't seen him sit down and play a classical piece, I have seen him perform, and he wasn't just moving faders on a mixer - it was the most energetic electronic show I've seen, complete with a full band and BT playing (keyboard and guitar) and singing throughout. Movement in Still Life is just one release in what is already an impressive career. But then again, if it's not your cup of tea, it may never be.

[Monkey Mouse]

I agree with DJDM also for similar reasons. The thing I like about BT especially is his production styles and solidness. Most producers in the genere he plays in compress the hell out of their songs, making them sound like total poop, he doesn't. BT also has the ability to harmoniously (if that is the right description) blend the right sounds to make the groove perfect, one of the best I have ever heard in electronic music. Sure he is predictable, that is the way it is, otherwise he would be underground and never sell enough records to make it worthwhile financially. I heard he is a maniac perfectionist and may work on a track for a month straight before it goes in. Now the question is, has his music been a contribution to the genere or a setback? I say it has been a contribution and if he can evolve over time with the market, he will keep contributing. FYI, I do have the album (on CD) and have 2 of the tracks on vinyl (smartbomb & never gonna come back down - I did play them when they came out and people loved it).