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: Tourist (2000)
I don’t know how I first stumbled upon St. Germain. It was probably a friend who introduced me, although it sounds like music that could’ve easily seeped through the speakers at a cafe or at a Uniqlo. Maybe I should hate it because of that, but I can’t deny how fascinating I find his music to be. Its heart is electronic, but its soul is analog – comprised of brass, woodwinds and not your typical percussion elements. I love all of Tourist, but “So Flute” is still my favorite track to this day.
Outside of the orchestra woodwind section, you have to go way back to find anything that uses the flute as memorably as “So Flute”. Like Jethro Tull / Genesis / Peter Gabriel-way back. Hearing this track 20 years after it was recorded, I’m amazed at how well it holds up. The best compliment I can give “So Flute” is that it feels like it could’ve been recorded this year. That’s how timeless it is. Back in 2000, St. Germain made people who had no previous interest in flutes start to see the possibilities. Myself included.