Electronic albums play a huge role in my fascination with music. For me, synthesizers and drum machines aren’t better or worse than live drums and guitars. They’re just different. They make music much more imaginative for me. I think Nick Rhodes’ synth parts on those early Duran Duran albums were some of my first loves. Shimmery one moment, jarring the next. Rhodes’ keyboard flourishes changed the complexion of every song. This month, I’m featuring my Top 15 electronic albums along with one featured track.
Album: Technique (1989)
There are two sides to one of my favorite bands of all time, New Order. There’s the rock-based side, which has always been my preference. There, the band relies mainly on Hooky’s melodic bass lines, Sumner’s contributions on guitar and Stephen Morris on live drums. Then there’s the dance rock side where Stephen typically joins his wife on keyboards and sequencers and the drum machines kick in for a more electronic aesthetic. Technique undoubtedly is an example of the latter, born out of the group’s time in Ibiza, soaking in the rays during the day and the club scene at night. While it’s not my favorite side of the band’s sound, I believe Technique is New Order’s most cohesive and consistent album. Every track could’ve been a single, including the fan favorite, “Mr. Disco”.
The track starts with that throbbing, sputtering synth bass line with Hooky’s own electric bass line humbly – and perhaps resistantly – taking a backseat by dotting the club-like landscape in the background. The band wastes little time getting to Sumner’s catchy melody and lyrics, affirming his ability to write lasting pop songs with the best of ‘em. But Gillian is the star here, concocting not just one irresistible synth hook, not two, not three, but four. “Mr. Disco” is surprisingly resilient over thirty years later.