Electronic Toys

Electronic Toys, A Retrospective of '70s Synthesizer Music Review by Matt Collar
Anyone in the mood for retro video game music chic? Replete with a nudie cover photo by Bunny Yeager, Electronic Toys: A Retrospective of '70s Synthesizer Music is pure fun. But don't expect avant-garde explorations into atonal bursts of Moog and analog squelch. This is straightforward songwriting in a pop vein on rudimentary synthesizers. Many of the compositions sound like they could have introduced any number of '70s television programs dealing with medicine, kid detectives, and science discoveries. The songs range in style from the Spike Jones-ish "Keystone Capers 2" (with simulated "raspberry" sounds) to the Rod Stewart-worthy "Movin' Along" (which begins with guitar and ends with an electronic horn section). Echoes of these songs can be heard in the sampling of Daft Punk and the 2001 alienation of Radiohead's OK Computer and Kid A. So there's obvious value in making these recordings available to a kitsch-friendly new millennium: a band called Claude Larson & His Computer Controlled Oscillators might be enough to wet some hipster's interest. But, frankly, more information on exactly what instruments were used for each composition – not to mention some historical perspective – in the liner notes would have made this a more informative package.

The legendary Carl Cox returns with his first artist album in over 10 years. Titled Electronic Generations the 15-track techno opus is the first album of his to be released via BMG, marking an exciting new chapter for the DJ icon as a recording artist. Having spent the last two years in his Melbourne studio creating music and taking his production to a whole new level, Carl is ready to unveil his first body of work as a live electronic artist and is excited to take the album on the road later this year to perform it completely live.

Tingling tartness of jingle perfection! In addition to being a pioneer of early electronic music, Raymond Scott generated hymns to hunger, odes to pudding and pilsner, and crafted carols for countless other products, elevating the form of advertisement to an art. If Zappa had written music for commercials, it's not hard to think his approach would have been similar! This first ever collection contains varied styles in both instrumentation and vocalization, previously unavailable electronic works, and more.

Tingling tartness of jingle perfection! In addition to being a pioneer of early electronic music, Raymond Scott generated hymns to hunger, odes to pudding and pilsner, and crafted carols for countless other products, elevating the form of advertisement to an art. If Zappa had written music for commercials, it's not hard to think his approach would have been similar! This first ever collection contains varied styles in both instrumentation and vocalization, previously unavailable electronic works, and more.

Tingling tartness of jingle perfection! In addition to being a pioneer of early electronic music, Raymond Scott generated hymns to hunger, odes to pudding and pilsner, and crafted carols for countless other products, elevating the form of advertisement to an art. If Zappa had written music for commercials, it's not hard to think his approach would have been similar! This first ever collection contains varied styles in both instrumentation and vocalization, previously unavailable electronic works, and more.

'Bottle Rain Smoke' premiered on The Creators Project/Vice (video below)
Much of Crewdson's singular sound can be attributed to his musical (instrument) inventions. Via these vehicles, Crewdson crafts skewed sonics that boggle the mind.' XLR8R

Róisín Murphy is former Moloko frontwoman who explored adventurous electronic pop in her solo career. Her first album in 8 years, "Hairless Toys" is a career defining tour de force. Tipping its hat to the dark disco of European house music, Casablanca Records and Grace Jones, while seamlessly taking in the freedom and organic spirit of jazz, country and gospel

Róisín Murphy is former Moloko frontwoman who explored adventurous electronic pop in her solo career. Her first album in 8 years, "Hairless Toys" is a career defining tour de force. Tipping its hat to the dark disco of European house music, Casablanca Records and Grace Jones, while seamlessly taking in the freedom and organic spirit of jazz, country and gospel

Tingling tartness of jingle perfection! In addition to being a pioneer of early electronic music, Raymond Scott generated hymns to hunger, odes to pudding and pilsner, and crafted carols for countless other products, elevating the form of advertisement to an art. If Zappa had written music for commercials, it's not hard to think his approach would have been similar! This first ever collection contains varied styles in both instrumentation and vocalization, previously unavailable electronic works, and more.

Róisín Murphy is former Moloko frontwoman who explored adventurous electronic pop in her solo career. Her first album in 8 years, "Hairless Toys" is a career defining tour de force. Tipping its hat to the dark disco of European house music, Casablanca Records and Grace Jones, while seamlessly taking in the freedom and organic spirit of jazz, country and gospel