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indicates an artist I have seen perform live at least once.
| Perrey and Kingsley Jean-Jacques Perrey, Gershon Kingsley | |
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My grandfather, who conducted an orchestra, had owned an album by Perrey and Kingsley that ended up in my mother's record collection. I frequently requested to hear it when I was very young, and I still listen to it sometimes.
If you haven't heard of them, you might know Perrey's "Baroque Hoedown" from Disney's Main Street Electrical Parade or some version of Kingsley's "Popcorn." A good album to look for is The Essential Perrey and Kingsley. |
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 Erasure Vince Clarke, Andy Bell * | |
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I first heard Erasure during an elementary school video presentation that included the song "Chains of Love". The song reminded me of the title theme from The Neverending Story. I've been a fan ever since.
There has to be a little passion in your life
You've got to put the world to rights before too long When I was young, I thought that everything was good But how it slowly fades away -- "La La La," from the single Love to Hate You |
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| Depeche Mode Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andrew Fletcher, | |
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Watching television at my grandmother's house at a young age, I was captivated by a music video featuring a king in the mountains with a folding lawn chair.
Years later, I stumbled upon the album Songs of Faith and Devotion. I was hooked, and soon learned that I had rediscovered the lawn chair king.
There is a star in the sky
Guiding my way with its light And in the glow of the moon Know my deliverance will come soon -- "Waiting for the Night," from the album Violator |
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| Pet Shop Boys Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe | |
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In a very crowded restaurant during a rainstorm at the Grand Canyon, I heard what I'd years later learn was their cover of Elvis Presley's "Always on My Mind."
Yesterday, when I was mad
And quite prepared to give up everything Admitting I don't believe In anyone's sincerity And that's what's really got to me Then, when I was lonely I thought again and changed my mind -- "Yesterday, When I was Mad," from the album Very |
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| "Weird Al" Yankovic | |
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The first music album I ever bought was by "Weird Al" Yankovic. His older songs remain my favorites, and his film UHF is one of my all-time favorite comedies.
I'd rather have my blood sucked out by leeches
Shove an icepick under a toenail or two I'd rather clean all the bathrooms in Grand Central Station with my tongue Than spend one more minute with you -- "One More Minute," from the album Dare to Be Stupid |
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| They Might Be Giants John Linnell, John Flansburgh | |
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A friend's father introduced me to They Might Be Giants when I was in high school. I was immediately impressed by their clever lyrics and catchy music.
I also like John Linnell's side project State Songs.
Go ahead, wreck your life
That might be good Who can say what's wrong or right? Nobody can -- "Spiraling Shape," from the album Factory Showroom |
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| Front 242 Jean-Luc De Meyer, Daniel Bressanutti, Patrick Codenys, Richard 23, Tim Kroker | |
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I was introduced to Front 242 with 06:21:03:11 Up Evil and 05:22:09:12 Off, and those remain my favorites. I also like their later album Pulse and side project Nothing but Noise.
One, you lock the target
Two, you bait the line Three, you slowly spread the net And four, you catch the man -- "Headhunter," from the album Front by Front |
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| Siouxsie and the Banshees Siouxsie Sioux, et al | |
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An aquaintance gave me the albums Peepshow and Superstition by Siouxsie and the Banshees, explaining that they were too weird for him. Based on this description, I correctly assumed that they were likely to be something I'd enjoy.
How in the world can I wish for this?
Never to be torn apart Close to you 'til the last beat of my heart -- "The Last Beat of My Heart," from the album Peepshow |
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| VNV Nation Ronan Harris, Mark Jackson | |
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I discovered VNV Nation late one night on Napster. Their polished electronic sound appealed to me right away. The first album I bought was Empires, and it remains my favorite.
Give me time I will be clear
Given time you'll understand What posesses me to right what you have suffered I'm in this mood because of scorn I'm in a mood for total war To the darkened skies once more and ever onward -- "Darkangel," from the album Empires |
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| Apoptygma Berzerk Stephan Groth, et al. | |
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I discovered Apoptygma Berzerk at the same time and in the same way as VNV Nation.
But some day we'll catch a glimpse of eternity
As the world stands still, for a moment And I guess we will be making history When we all join hands just to watch the sky For a moment -- "Eclipse," from the album Welcome to Earth |
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| Delerium Bill Leeb, Rhys Fulber, | |
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From their Enigma-sounding beginnings, Delerium has consistently produced quality albums over the years. I think it was my sister who introduced me to their music.
All the good things you've had
Always end up with someone else And you claim that they are stealing? All the big plans you make will explode and you'll suffocate From the anger you are feeling -- "Self-Saboteur," from the album Nuages du Monde |
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| Mesh Mark Hockings, Richard Silverthorn, Neil Taylor | |
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My favorite Mesh album is probably We Collide, with Who Watches Over Me? a close second.
I learned about life through your life
I learned about touch through your hands I learned about love through your heart I learned to be kind where I can -- "Step by Step," from the album We Collide |
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| Agnes Poetry / Adom9 Randon and Rannoch Purcell, Ranita Brazell | |
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I think that I found Agnes Poetry through Amazon.com. Minus one member, they are now Adom9. I'm particularly impressed with the second part of the Adom9 album Deluge.
Now under the silver moon
Where the beat of life has faltered Time is a grain of sand and sadness a feather And all we have is who we are -- "I Wonder," from the album Deluge |
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| Joy Electric Ronnie Martin | |
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As with several others on this list, I found Joy Electric through Napster. Ronnie Martin is quite prolific and consistently produces new and interesting sounds with analog synthesizers.
Who's aboard this ancient ship, am I?
Sailing over seas and clouds Friends among the ghosts, our companions I am host to those who fell -- "The Fifth Point of the Compass," from the album Montgolfier and the Romantic Balloons |
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| Monolithic Mike Babbitt | |
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I first encountered Monolithic on some type of sampler CD. A few more sample songs on Amazon.com convinced me to buy his albums, and he quickly became a favorite.
And softly they sing to me
Seduced by their poetry I'm lost in the treachery of what I've entered in When what you know is forsaken Then it's your soul that's taken by the wraith in the dark -- "Wraith," from the album Evil Behind Smiling Eyes |
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| Assemblage 23 Tom Shear | |
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Another Napster discovery.
If to suffer is holy I'll take my share of the pain
I can swim through this sadness if there's something to gain I can reach for the surface and try to pull myself free But the last thing I want is to drag you down here with me -- "Damaged," from the album Meta |
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| De/Vision Steffen Keth, Thomas Adam, | |
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Several synthpop groups (including others in this list) are sometimes collectively referred to as "Depeche Mode: the next generation." De/Vision is one of the better ones.
Yes I know how you suffer
I have been there before How do you know you are alive? How do you know If you've never been dead? -- "Bipolar," from the album Rockets & Swords |
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| Goldfrapp Alison Goldfrapp, Will Gregory | |
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We can see your troubled soul
Give us all your money we'll Make it better We're here to welcome you -- "Happiness," from the album Seventh Tree |
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| Deine Lakaien Alexander Veljanov, Ernst Horn | |
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A compilation called The Synthetic Music Collection introduced me to a lot of good music, and a highlight was Deine Lakaien (German for "Your Lackeys"). Either Indicator or White Lies would be a good introductory album, though my single favorite of their songs is "Supermarket (My Angel)."
Stumbling, falling, crawling, trying to reach for you
First time I missed you made a turn and lost my shoe Oh my dear street light You keep me warm at night My wonder wonder wonder wonder shining star -- "Wunderbar," from the album White Lies |
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| The Knife Olof Dreijer, Karin Dreijer Andersson | |
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My sister introduced me to The Knife. Of their albums, my favorite is probably Deep Cuts.
Hooves light as feathers
The sleigh this year is heavier I thought we'd reached Warsawa But we are stuck in Waasa And Santa he yells "Faster!" This house must be the last now And we follow Mr. Santa to the end -- "Reindeer," from their self-titled album |
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| Roland Bocquet | |
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Analog synthesizer music from the late 1970s and early 1980s. Look for his albums Robot Rose and Robot Bleu.
An Internet acquaintance introduced me to Bocquet's music as well as Bernard Fevre and Garnegy & Maties, other French synthesizer artists from the same era. I'd recommend all three. |
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| Ludovico Einaudi | |
| Einaudi's music is primarily piano, but also includes other instruments and occasionally subtle electronic sounds. |  |