oscillations.
Diamond Member
Opinion = Fact
I was faced with a choice at a difficult age.
Joined: February 2005
Posts: 10,130
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Post by oscillations. on Dec 13, 2007 20:07:33 GMT -5
I couldn't find an existing thread, but correct me if I made an oversight. What a lovely song! I listened to this for the first time in ages, last night. Out of all the forgotten trip-hop of the 90s, this track certainly is a testament to how pop nous could immortalize the highlights of a genre steeped in moodiness! Yes, it still holds up well (why wouldn't it? a great song is timeless). In my book, it's up there with "Teardrop" and "Sour Times" as trip-hop classics. I also enjoy Emma Bunton's version of this, I have to admit. Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2aa1tEh82I |
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jazklash
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Joined: December 2007
Posts: 1,222
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Post by jazklash on Dec 14, 2007 15:45:50 GMT -5
If there is a subgenre which has come from exciting to self-parody faster than the most vocal, song-based side of trip-hop, I dare anyone tell which one it is.  That said, the reason why "Life In Mono" holds up so well it's because, above being trip-hop, strip-hop or whatever else, it's a pop song, with a capital P. Not only it has the classic verse-chorus-verse structure, it also has a very classic air to it, albeit embedded in the most modern (at the time) production techniques available. In a way, its blend of muzak, 60s French pop sensibilities, modern electronic techniques and some vague 80s garish stylishness performs two things: a) a great summary of pop music in the Rock era; and b) resulted in some of the most urgent, most now-or-never pop music made at the time. Too bad the rest of their material just doesn't hold up that well in the long run, for it falls too much in the above mentioned vocal/song-based trip-hop trapping which plagued the subgenre in no time, giving us coffee-table trite like Dido, Imogen Heap and Jem to boot. PS: Yes, it's me.  But I'm not promising any full-time return... |
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oscillations.
Diamond Member
Opinion = Fact
I was faced with a choice at a difficult age.
Joined: February 2005
Posts: 10,130
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Post by oscillations. on Dec 14, 2007 21:09:02 GMT -5
I knew it was you as soon as I saw the first |
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jazklash
Platinum Member
Joined: December 2007
Posts: 1,222
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Post by jazklash on Dec 15, 2007 13:35:52 GMT -5
Wrong. You knew it was me because you only saw one reply to your thread. |
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oscillations.
Diamond Member
Opinion = Fact
I was faced with a choice at a difficult age.
Joined: February 2005
Posts: 10,130
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Post by oscillations. on Dec 15, 2007 13:41:13 GMT -5
Just like the old days! :'(
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Post by reception on Dec 16, 2007 6:48:18 GMT -5
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oscillations.
Diamond Member
Opinion = Fact
I was faced with a choice at a difficult age.
Joined: February 2005
Posts: 10,130
|
Post by oscillations. on Dec 16, 2007 12:58:17 GMT -5
reception strikes again!
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But I'm not promising any full-time return...