Repetitive Monotonous?
February 13, 2007 4:47 PM   Subscribe

Krautrockfilter: I'm looking for long, driving, and repetitive songs.

I've found that this sort of music is great for walking around so I'd like to fill up my ipod with as many of these songs as I can lay my hands on. I'm thinking mostly of rock and rock oriented(???) electronic music here.

Spacemen Three, Faust, Stereolab, Neu, Can, Sonic Youth, Kraftwerk, Th' Faith Healers, and The Feelies all have a lot of songs that are great examples of what I'm thinking of. The Wilco song Spiders is another example.

Suggestions from classical and non-western music would be welcome too.
posted by GalaxieFiveHundred to Media & Arts (62 answers total) 19 users marked this as a favorite
 
New Order's Confusion sounds like it might fit the bill. (If you can tolerate a cheesy clip show, it's playing over this collection of Blade segments.)
posted by quin at 4:56 PM on February 13, 2007


Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky might fit.
posted by distrakted at 4:57 PM on February 13, 2007


Godspeed! You Black Emperor and Mogwai fit the bill.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 5:00 PM on February 13, 2007


Meat Puppets - Up On The Sun
Electrelane - Rock It To The Moon
Broadcast - Noise Made By People

If something like Terry Riley's "In C" appeals to you, there's a whole raft and crew of repetitive minimalist composition there to explore.
posted by rhizome at 5:03 PM on February 13, 2007


"This Boy Is Tocotronic" by Tocotronic
posted by Frank Grimes at 5:04 PM on February 13, 2007


Tortoise
posted by sswiller at 5:08 PM on February 13, 2007


Turing Machine (Frenchkiss Records). They have two albums, A New Machine for Living (eMusic, iTunes) and Zwei (eMusic, iTunes). Two of my favorite all-time albums. The best description is neo-krautrock. They absolutely kill live, but rarely do shows outside of NYC (Justin Chearno's effort is primarily devoted to Panthers).

By the by, have you listened to Wilco's "Spiders (Kidsmoke)" back to back with Neu!'s "Hallogallo"? Musical quoting in the best sense.
posted by The Michael The at 5:09 PM on February 13, 2007


Find Unrest's Cath Carroll EP -- the song "Hydro" is 33 minutes of this kind of thing.

Also Steve Reich, especially Music for 18 Musicians.

You might also like Swervedriver, although they're a little more suited to driving rather than walking, somehow.
posted by xil at 5:10 PM on February 13, 2007


I think Spitfire or Scatman might appeal to you...
posted by Phire at 5:11 PM on February 13, 2007


Couch, Jan Jelinek, yagya, tortoise (in general, the genre sometimes called "post-rock"; godspeed and mogwai also are considered in this genre). On the classical side, philip glass, steve reich, terry riley, moondog, john adams, bang on a can ensemble (this is a group whereas the others are composers).
posted by advil at 5:13 PM on February 13, 2007


Have you listened to Wilco's "Spiders (Kidsmoke)" back to back with Neu!'s "Hallogallo"? Musical quoting in the best sense.

Ha, Stereolab did this too -- the last couple of minutes of "Jenny Ondioline" are practically a remake.
posted by xil at 5:14 PM on February 13, 2007


x3 on MOGWAI. Mr Beast is their rockiest album.
posted by ElmerFishpaw at 5:16 PM on February 13, 2007


Unwound's "Go to Dallas and Take a Right" scratches this itch for me; also Juno's "Leave a Clean Camp and a Dead Fire."
posted by redfoxtail at 5:19 PM on February 13, 2007


Seconding Run Lola Run, and you might check out VNV Nation, specifically Praise The Fallen. In the Kraftwerk vein, are you familiar with Front 242? They are, in a lot of ways, Kraftwerk's direct descendants. Their earlier albums have a lot of stompy industrial goodness and their later stuff incorporates a more techno feel.
posted by lekvar at 5:19 PM on February 13, 2007


A Silver Mt. Zion (members of GYBE!)
The Wind-Up Bird (Whips is great, his newer stuff is even better)
Saxon Shore (4 months of Darkness)
This Will Destroy You (Young Mountain)
The Early Day Miners (Let us Garlands Bring)
Yo La Tengo - any of their longer stuff
The American Analog Set (mostly shorter songs, but still awesome.)
Unwed Sailor (The Faithful Anchor, and the Marionette and the Music Box)
Circle of Birds
Stars of the Lid
Timonium
Rachel's

I find a lot of newer electronic-based stuff is pretty repetitive, but in shorter bites. You might give the following bands a shot, if you don't mind 3-5min songs.

The Album Leaf (longer end, songwise)
Ms. John Soda
Lali Puna

There's a few Low songs that are 10+ minutes, I can see (in my iTunes library) 3 songs by the Red House Painters that are longer than 10 minutes, and those definitely qualify as repetitive.
posted by god hates math at 5:24 PM on February 13, 2007


Don McLean-American Pie (almost 10 minutes long)
posted by Workingtill85 at 5:30 PM on February 13, 2007


Turing Machine - Flipbook Oscilloscope
posted by fire&wings at 5:31 PM on February 13, 2007


Also:

Windy and Carl
Keith Fullterton Whitman
Richard Youngs
Colophone
The Arco Flute Foundation (I saw them open for Mogwai - fantastic)

And you know, if you're ever not tethered to your iPod, there's a few ambient music generators out there. OM isn't too bad. It's not *quite* melodic enough for my taste, but it's pretty reasonable. I'm still looking for a way to get really nice generated ambient music on my iPod. I'm thinking linux for the iPod + PureData, but I haven't come up with anything concrete yet.

(I just used all my might to resist a Musique concrète pun there, so be thankful.)
posted by god hates math at 5:39 PM on February 13, 2007


Shellac's "Didn't We Deserve A Look At You The Way You Really Are"

also: Kronos Quartet Performs Philip Glass or Koyaanisqatsi
posted by john m at 5:40 PM on February 13, 2007


Slag boom van loon
posted by psychobum at 5:41 PM on February 13, 2007


Sweet Jesus. How many times can I post in this one...

Nine Beet Stretch.

It's Beethoven's 9th Symphony stretched to 24 hours, without any pitch change. It will redefine your (and almost anyone's) idea of what drone music is. I think the original downloads were removed, but they're easily found via the Google.
posted by god hates math at 5:44 PM on February 13, 2007


Most everyone (esp. god hates math) has covered what I would've rec'd, but if you like the stuff that he posted, you may want to also check out From Monument to Masses and Maserati.
posted by Ufez Jones at 5:45 PM on February 13, 2007


how 'bout transatlantacism by Death Cab?
posted by rubberfish at 5:46 PM on February 13, 2007


Buckethead
Underworld
Electrelane
Faithless
Dead Man Soundtrack - Neil Young
DJ Shadow
Plastikman
Dead Can Dance
Eat Static
3rding on the Run Lola Run recommend
posted by iamkimiam at 5:48 PM on February 13, 2007


My favorite Stereolab release is Refried Ectoplasm (Switched On v.2), which is full of grindy, drony noise and pulses. Even though it's a compilation of odds and sods, it flows better as an album than some of their conventional releases.

Archers of Loaf's 'White Trash Heroes' has that pulsing electronic thing going for it.

Fuxa's music might work for you, but it might be too murmuring. Hard to find anyway.

If you're okay with guitars mixed with the keyboards, check 'Poem of the River/ Forever Breathes the Lonely Word' by Felt. If all-guitar is fine, look up some of Eleventh Dream Day's recent-ish stuff.

I also like Astor Piazzola's compositions when I'm in this frame of mind, although his stuff doesn't meet your description exactly. A good place to start is 'Five Tango Sensations' by Piazzola and the Kronos Quartet.
posted by ardgedee at 5:56 PM on February 13, 2007


Your username is ironic, in this context.
posted by staggernation at 6:01 PM on February 13, 2007


Upon further review, I was thinking of Guided By Voices. You know, with all the really short songs. Sorry; carry on.
posted by staggernation at 6:17 PM on February 13, 2007


alot of math rock would seem to fit, so add Don Caballero (especially the later albums, American Don, etc). Battles is another good one.
posted by alikins at 6:32 PM on February 13, 2007


Pink Floyd "One of These Days" from their Meddle album. It's not long, only 5:57, but it's hard and repetitive and I can not listen to it while driving and NOT drive faster!
posted by BillsR100 at 6:32 PM on February 13, 2007


The first thing that came to mind when you said repetitive is the classical piece Bolero by Ravel.

Most likely you've heard it before, but just in case you haven't, here's a 30-second clip.
posted by mrhaydel at 6:46 PM on February 13, 2007


Circle
Astral Social Club
Fujiya and Miyaki
Shogun Kunitoki

This is going to come across as a shameless plug but my podcast would probably be right up your alley.
posted by spartacusroosevelt at 6:57 PM on February 13, 2007


Also Steve Reich, especially Music for 18 Musicians.

Also Drumming by Steve Reich. "The patterns throughout this music are so powerful and hypnotic that, once you get involved, it's a shock when it ends an hour later." Plus it's on emusic, if that's your thing.
posted by smackfu at 7:13 PM on February 13, 2007


A roomate got me to listen to Jerusalem by Sleep in college.

I've never heard ANYTHING so repetitive, long and driving.

He told me they'd spent their entire signing check on equipment and weed, and the album (which the record label wouldn't release) was the result.

I wanted to jump out a window, but it's unusual, and fulfills your three requirments like nothing else I've heard.
posted by conch soup at 7:19 PM on February 13, 2007


Try some early Orb. The Orb's Adventures beyond the Ultraworld and U.F.Orb are excellent.
posted by dudeman at 7:40 PM on February 13, 2007


"I can make you dance." - Zapp
posted by nickerbocker at 7:45 PM on February 13, 2007


If you're in the mood for something a little less "rock," the Congotronics albums might be a good fit. Great "groove-based" music that will keep good time to your walking.

There are some tracks of the new Of Montreal album (Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?) that might fit the bill. See esp. The Past is a Grotesque Animal.
posted by wemayfreeze at 7:47 PM on February 13, 2007


Muse - Supermassive Black Hole
posted by radioamy at 7:54 PM on February 13, 2007


With Charles Bukowski On The Ride @ Cock Rock Disco.
posted by anticlock at 7:54 PM on February 13, 2007


Sigur Ros
Boards of Canada
Aphex Twin
posted by KokuRyu at 8:46 PM on February 13, 2007


Oh, and Mum
posted by KokuRyu at 8:47 PM on February 13, 2007


She Wants Revenge - self titled album... the entire CD fits the description of repetitive driving to me.
posted by zhivota at 9:16 PM on February 13, 2007


Neu! '75 comes to mind. It's Krautrock, and the instrumentals are totally driving music, See here also. And here.
posted by y2karl at 9:48 PM on February 13, 2007


You can't leave out the amazing Melochord Seventy-Five by Stereolab. If you can manage to get a live version, expect it to be longer, but otherwise not much different.
posted by skybolt at 9:55 PM on February 13, 2007


By totally driving music, I mean as in driving on the freeway while looking at far clouds in stately formation music.
posted by y2karl at 10:02 PM on February 13, 2007


Cluster - Any Album (Cluster was Dieter Moebius and Hans-Joachim Roedelius - both also did solo stuff, Moebius also did a couple with legendary kraut producer Conny Plank as "Moebius & Plank")

Harmonia - Music Von Harmonia (Michael Rother from Neu! plus the two guys from Cluster - great album)

Manuel Göttsching - E2-E4

Amon Duul II - any, esp. Yeti, Wolf City or Phallus Dei

Tangerine Dream &/or Klaus Schulze

Popol Vuh - ?? try any album, kraut + eastern influences

Niagara - S.U.B.

Delia Gonzales and Gavin Russom - The Days of Mars

Emperor Machine - Any album, this one is good - somewhere between house/disco/jazz/fusion/kraut

Anything produced by Conny Plank or anything on Sky Records.

And a few kraut-friendly music blogs: Mutant Sounds, Krautrock team, FM Shades
posted by p3t3 at 11:01 PM on February 13, 2007


"The National Anthem" - Radiohead
posted by secret about box at 11:35 PM on February 13, 2007


Tony Allen / Fela Kuti / Africa 70
Nomo - New Tones
Anthony Rother - Art is a Technology
To Rococo Rot - The Amateur View
Trans Am - Futureworld
OOIOO - Taiga
Exploding Star Orchestra - We Are All From Somewhere Else
Silver Apples
Black Dice
Seefeel - Polyfusia
posted by p3t3 at 2:03 AM on February 14, 2007


Slint. The invented this genre of music and all of the popular newcomers (Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Mogwai, Explosions In The Sky) wouldn't be here without them. Go to the source where the music is richest.

Also try Maximillian Colby. Verging on hardcore, but very repetitive, long but driving songs. Great mood music.
posted by pollystark at 3:33 AM on February 14, 2007


Rammstein? (surprised no one's mentioned them)
posted by corvine at 5:24 AM on February 14, 2007


Seconding Fujiya and Miyagi.
posted by Mocata at 5:55 AM on February 14, 2007


I think that Philip Glass's "Analog" is the absolute epitome of long, driving, and repetitive.

It's full of crunchy analog synthesizers, singing, and tinkly pianos swirling and repeating ad infinitum, but is also warmly human and engaging.
posted by the matching mole at 7:13 AM on February 14, 2007


Highly recommend Loop, a band formed by Robert Hampson. Covers included Can, Suicide and The Pop Group, and Hampson has collaborated with Bruce Gilbert and others. His myspace page. An unofficial Loop Myspace page. Discography. Hampson has become steadily more ambient and abstract, first with his work in Main, and his most recent project, available as a free download, Maps. You might also want to check out Godflesh.
posted by jonathanbell at 7:32 AM on February 14, 2007


Suicide. Alan Vega.
posted by Dr.Pill at 7:59 AM on February 14, 2007


badawi, as well as most of rez mesinai's other projects.

also: penguin café orchestra, 'course.
posted by progosk at 9:06 AM on February 14, 2007


The Penguin Café Orchestra does play instrumentals exclusively but, as adjectives, long, driving, and repetitive do not describe these instrumentals as well as quirky, subtle and spritely do.
posted by y2karl at 11:33 AM on February 14, 2007


Check out Do Make Say Think, Can, Flying Saucer Attack, Low, M83, Mus, My Bloody Valentine, or Paik.
posted by feloniousmonk at 12:12 PM on February 14, 2007


Oh man, how did I miss Sigur Ros and Mum? Oops. Two more, from the same label as Timonium. I spent a little bit of time digging around the Pehrlabel website last night.

Giardini di Miro
Unrecognizable Now
posted by god hates math at 12:15 PM on February 14, 2007


The Young Gods
posted by NortonDC at 1:13 PM on February 14, 2007


Julian Cope and Donald Ross do an album together, Rite, that's all long droney rock stuff.
posted by nomisxid at 4:45 PM on February 14, 2007


late to the thread, but for the record WOODEN SHJIPS is what you are looking for.

jack rose, pelt & MONOSHOCK

are all really f**king good too
posted by neoistimpulse at 1:06 PM on February 15, 2007


The Fall's 80's output is full of this kind of thing. You might like Hex Enduction Hour, or This Nation's Saving Grace for slightly more upbeat stuff.
posted by galaksit at 8:25 AM on February 17, 2007


and another: Malacoda (2 mp3s are available here)
posted by john m at 12:33 PM on February 17, 2007


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