I’m not a genre purist. My lack of genre puritanism shows itself, especially in the electronica genres. What I call Techno might actually be House or Drum and Bass or EDM. Honestly, I feel like the labeling of electronic genres is a little too scientific and elitist. Take trance for instance. the clinical definition of the genre is a tempo lying between 125โ150ย bpmย (BPM),ย repeatingย melodicย phrasesย and aย musical formย that distinctly builds tension and elements throughout a track often culminating in 1 to 2 “peaks” or “drops”. To me, however, trance has to do with the feeling of the music. Trance must, well, put you in a trance. But purists will balk, so I named this week’s playlist Trance and Beyond.
So – what’s on this heretical trance playlist? A few names most electronica fans will recognize. Delerium, Oceanlab, Enigma, Chicane. Felix da Housecat plays with deadmau5. Tiesto (with Tegan and Sara) feels it in their bones, and Paul Van Dyk plays For an Angel. There are a few names usually not associated with trance: Ladytron, Daft Punk, and even Sarah Brightman. But as I said, trance to me is more about a feeling than a clinical definition. Regardless, I hope even the genre purists like Trance and Beyond.
Did I go above and beyond?
Get it? For those of you who don’t know, Oceanlab is a collaboration between singer Justine Suissa and electronica outfit Above and Beyond. And yes, their band name had a huge influence on the playlist title.
On another note, I would love to hear from the genre purists. I kind of ripped you a new one today, and I’m wondering what you think. Counter my arguments. And is there a specific justification for the 125 to 150 bpm tempo? I realize I can be a bit harsh on genre purists. Hell, I’m the one that said Classic rock isn’t even a real genre! I might be swayed, and I love to learn. So teach me.
Until next time, rock on and rock steady.