o9Media

Bob Dylan recently said, “I don’t know anybody who’s made a record that sounds decent in the past 20 years, really.” I’m actually inclined to agree with him to a large extent. With artists known as “Flo Rida” and “Soulja Boy Tell’em” topping the charts, it really does seem like music is in a period of decline. Last century we had Elvis, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and countless others who pushed the boundaries of music. But is there anything as special today as Beethoven’s music was 200 years ago? Will any music from today have that kind of lasting appeal?

Only if the music does something new, if it sounds like nothing before it. First came classical, then jazz, then rock and roll, progressing into rock. Today it seems there are a million genres and bands playing, but what is truly revolutionary? What’s the next step?

I believe the next step is toward electronic music. Some of the best music coming out today is electronic. And just like music turned primarily toward electric guitars and basses last century, it will become increasingly electronic influenced in this new century. It has diversity of sound and complexity that most bands aren’t even coming near. I will now list a few artists and songs that I think are pushing the boundaries of music.


1. Danger Mouse - The Grey Album

The Grey Album is a mash-up album made by Danger Mouse, mixing Jay-Z’s Black Album and The Beatles White Album. The result is an album even better than Jay-Z’s original. The rapping is some of the best, but the musical complexity of The Beatles underneath brings it to the next level. It’s a sound unlike anything I’ve heard. If you like either The Beatles or Jay-Z, you owe it to yourself to find this album.

2. Atmosphere - You Can’t Imagine How Much Fun We’re Having

This is a rap group making very interesting music. The rapping is intense, powerful and catchy, and the music underneath is unlike most other rap songs. In the song Smart Went Crazy, there’s a blaring Jimi Hendrix-esque electric guitar. The bass is constantly moving all over the place fairly fast. It ends unexpectedly with the music underneath fading, leaving a harmonica solo that intertwines perfectly with the rapping. It’s a powerful effect.

3. Kanye West - Graduation

Kanye is one of the best producers in the business, and his sampling of the French house genius that is Daft Punk with his own rapping makes Stronger an interesting and infectious track. The the heavy bass drum drives the song, and he took the best parts of Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger to make it incredibly catchy and powerful.

4. M.I.A. - Kala

M.I.A. is a female rapper/electronic musician originally from Sri Lanka. The song Paper Planes is especially great. It is very catchy with the beat and finger snaps, and incorporates a blasting gun sound into the chorus for a really big sound. Her sing-song rapping is a refreshingly different sound from other rappers out there. Her third world Sri Lanka upbringing really comes through with all her work.

5. Coburn - Self Titled

I know this is the NEDM theme song (look it up), but it’s also a great song on its own. It’s just blasting sound, it’s like when you listen to the climax of this song you enter a whirlwind of sound with good speakers turned all the way up. It’s a fun experience.


6. Ratatat - Self Titled

Ratatat is a really interesting band; they use guitars but also have a wide range of different electronic sounds they incorporate into their music. But most importantly, they have a really great melodic sound, with great harmonies, especially in the song Seventeen Years. It kind of sounds like a modern, techno version of baroque music form Bach’s time.

7. Portishead - Dummy

Portishead is a British trip-hop band from the 90s that has a really interesting, even cinematic sound. Listening to Portishead is comparable to watching a film noir; it’s moody and deep, and has great emotional depth. Turn that bass up and just enjoy this tune, Glory Box.

8. Immortal Technique - Revolutionary

I haven’t heard much of this rapper, but I do know that his song Dance With the Devil is a masterpiece of the genre. It’s not so much electronic, but it has great use of piano underneath the rapping, alternating with violins, making for a beautiful, unusual sound. But above all, the story it tells is perhaps the most revealing and twisted story of thug life in rap. Listen to this track.

9. Girl Talk - Night Ripper

Girl Talk is a DJ / mash-up artist who just pretty much combines every song ever made to make really interesting and fast paced dance music. Very cool stuff.

When will the next great leap forward in music be? Or is it already here? I don’t think we can know for sure just yet, but I do know this music here is a step in the right direction.