5. Tricky: Aftermath
![Tricky: Aftermath [EP] (1994)](http://img64.echo.cx/img64/926/trickyaftermath5au.jpg)
Tricky started out as a member of the Wild Bunch, a Bristol-based rap group that eventually evolved into trip-hop pioneers Massive Attack. Tricky is the rapper on Massive Attack's influential album Blue Lines, released in 1992. Prior to launching his solo career, he met teenaged vocalist Martina (Martina Topley-Bird), who became his full-time collaborator. "Aftermath" was his first solo outing, and features Martina's rich bluesy soul vocal over a slow, dope drums 'n' bass groove with Tricky's buzzed, laid back rap, and eerie atmospheric electronic flourishes.
6. The Prodigy: Firestarter
The Prodigy struck an uncomfortable balance between being electronica artists, which for the most part, requires keeping a low profile (clubs are dark, after all), and being pop stars, which requires bigger than life posturing. This notoriety was due to the remarkable success of their singles, twelve of which had made the British top-20 before their world-wide breakout with The Fat of the Land in 1997. "Firestarter" was one of their two #1 singles in England; it features hip-hop influenced beats, brilliant samples, and shouted, nonsensical vocals from Keith Flint and Maxim.
7. Underworld: Born Slippy
![Underworld: Born Slippy [Single] (1995)](http://img64.echo.cx/img64/8141/underworldbornslippy7wr.jpg)
Underworld is arguably the most essential 1990's electronica unit. Vocalist Karl Hyde and guitarist Rick Smith had been recording together since the mid-80's; on their third album as Underworld, they introduced deejay Darren Emerson, which made all the difference. Their essential sound was raspy, throaty vocals from Hyde, with bluesy guitar shreds from Smith, melded to breakbeat trance. "Born Slippy" provided their big breakthrough, after it was featured in the film Trainspotting. Its big opening chords are already classic, as is the "lager, lager, lager" chant; it is an anthem to hedonism.
8. Massive Attack: Daydreaming
Massive Attack are pioneers of the trip-hop subgenre, melding soulful melodies, dub grooves, samples, and hip-hop rhythms into a sensual, evocative, cinematic new style of music. Their history dates as far back as 1983, when the rap group/DJ collective the Wild Bunch was formed. This group evolved into Massive Attack, which released its first single, "Daydreaming" in 1990. The song features Shara Nelson's sensual vocals and raps from Tricky, and established their new direction. Tricky would leave them in 1993 and embark on a successful and influential career of his own. Massive Attack's biggest commercial success came in 1998 with Mezzanine, which features the classic "Inertia Creeps".
Article comments
1 - Scott Butki
That's a great list. The only one I'd dispute would be tricky and that's just because I could never get into him.
2 - Scott Butki
What do you think of DJ Shadow's live album?
3 - Scott Butki
The only one of these I don't own now is Mouse on Mars.
4 - Tina
I have always loved Electronica, but this playlist is awesome!! There are songs that I have never heard of, now Im going to download them and check em out.
5 - uao
Thanks Tina and Scott (Sorry for slow replies; I've been pressed for time at work and haven't been participating here, but will return soon I hope...)
I've not heard all of DJ Shadow's live album, but would like to check it out; live electronica albums are a tricky proposition. Some really are transcendant, and others really flop.
Tricky wasn't so great after Maxinquaye, but I'll still swear by that one.
6 - Steve
Interesting list, uao.
I have -
5 songs by Moby, including the one you mentioned,
4 by Chemical Brothers, including the one you mentioned,
1 by The Orb ("Blue Room"),
3 by The Prodigy, though not the one that you mentioned,
2 by Underworld, including the one you mentioned,
5 by Massive Attack, not including the one that you mentioned.
I've heard of the rest of the artists except for Mouse On Mars.
Massive Attack or Moby would be my faves on that list.
7 - Scott Butki
I'm going to pull out my cds with these songs and get a copy of Mouse on Mars and will return with thoughts.
The DJ shadow live album comes with a dvd of the show live and he's pretty entertaining.
I think Orbital was one of the funniest live shows I saw. They put on goggles with lights in the front - the kind I think miners use - and so as they played and bounced you'd see these tiny lights bouncing around.
8 - Scott Butki
I have to challenge this assertion in the piece, though:
"Underworld is arguably the most essential 1990's electronica unit."
I only recall Underworld having one or two hits.
Chemical Brothers had more quality hits. Moby had even more hits though he got a little too poppy for my tastes.
9 - Scott Butki
I wrote a review of the Fatboy Slim greatest hits album and used the opportunity to
talk about the artist himself:
I linked to your piece from my piece.