Ulrich Schnauss-A Long Way to Fall review

It is no secret that I am a fan of tastefully conceived electronic music.  As a matter of fact, I have previously proclaimed Ulrich Schnauss to be one of the best electronica artists in the world.  Think for a moment what it must take to be considered one of the best.  In this day and age, electronica could very well be the second-most recorded style of music, just behind pop.  To be noted as one of the best, you have to be really, really good.

Ulrich Schnauss is really, really good.  With "A Long Way to Fall", Schnauss has adapted his style of music and even further diversified his sound.  His previous releases with Mark Peters and Jonas Munk were shining examples of well-paced electro-gaze music that incorporated some elements of nu-jazz.  Both were very good records.

His new solo release taps styles from pop to electro-gaze to 80s-influenced synth.  "A Long Way to Fall" illustrates why there is still plenty of room to rise.  Layers upon layers of atmospheric bliss join forces with some extra-groovy electronic beats and industrialized samples to create a listening experience that is both fun and challenging. 

Also new is the incorporation of some understated, distorted vocals that seem filled with sorrow, but falling just short of all-out creepy.  Many of the tracks on this disc are upbeat, while others are filled with downtrodden, sullen melodies. 

Electronic music is often criticized as lacking true depth or emotion.  Schnauss delivers up a tasty platter of both while keeping the heavy grooves and layered textures of ambiance and looped reverb.  This is quite an exciting listen, especially if played at a high volume.  Check out the full YouTube stream of the album below.  As always, thanks and enjoy!

My top Electronica artists

Hello everyone!  I'm flying solo today, mostly because Kristy isn't a fan of this type of music and doesn't know of enough artists to have any opinion one way or another.

The first thing you may imagine when you think about electronic music is cheesy, synthesized dance beats over a tapestry of record scratching and noodling 'bleep' sounds.  But these days, there is so much more you can do with electronic music.  Electronica music can be moody, disjointed, dissonant, ambient, and soulful just in the matter of how samples are mixed.  Some DJ's or artsists can do the job better than others.  If you haven't explored the realm of electronic music, there is a lot of great music you have been missing.  I love exploring new music and have only really 'discovered' electronica in the last year, so naturally, there is a lot I am missing.  My top three artists are as follows.

3. The Luna Sequence.  Similar in style to Celldweller or Blue Stahli, The Luna Sequence (aka Kaia Young) produce a rock-fused blast of hypnotic, dancy music that is really fun to listen to.  As with most electronic music, you have to go into it with an open mind or you will find yourself judging it before the sound registers in your brain.  Rock beats merge with higly distorted guitar sounds, loops, and samples to create a dazzling effect.  Listen to Sanctuary in Dying light from "This is Bloodlust" below.


2. Trentemøller.  Anders Trentemoller is a Danish producer and electronic musician who has been on the scene since 2006 with his album "The Last Resort."  This album is a fresh take on electronic music with twists of atmospheric ambiance bleeding through the rich texture of the music on most of the tracks.  Especially for a debut album, Trentemoller puts out an impressive array of sound that you really must hear to believe.  The track I have chosen is Always Something Better from "The Last Resort."


1. Ulrich Schnauss.  Over the years, German producer Schnauss has performed under various pseudonyms such as View to the Future and Ethereal 77 to name two.  He produces a musical downbeat variety similar to chillwave music on most of his projects.  In the music you hear lots of looping reverb with samples that sound much like acoustic guitar.  He has two albums under his real name, one with Jonas Munk and the other with Mark Peters.  Both are interesting listens, but the music on "Underrated Silence" is stunning.  Take a listen to Gift Horse's Mouth from "Underrated Silence" and see for yourself.
Thank you for reading and enjoy!