Techno

Techno Party (Volume one)
$18.97
Despite the extremely cheesy title, Techno Party vol. 1 is worth a look. Not every song is a gem, but there are some great tunes that are extremely fun to dance to. My personal favorite is Supadupafly, and Don't Go is very catchy.

While many of the songs on this CD have better versions floating around out there (Alpha Twins' Smack my Derb is better than this album's version, which is just Derb), Techno Party vol. 1 collects several favorites in the genre. Definitely worth your time if you enjoy electronic music.

Pasilda (Atfc Remix)
$0.00
Like many trance/electronica tracks, this one is slow to build. But what can you expect when the track's going to be over 6 minutes long? This is no bubble-gum pop song for radio. This track mixes electronica with a very nice latin edge. Impossible to sit still while listening once it gets into gear. Nice keyboard riff adds a hook. And worth the price!

Techno Rebels: The Renegades of Electronic Funk
$16.95
though admitedly flawed and incomplete in ways pointed out below, sicko's book is still, somewhat unfortunately, the best written historical document of the conception and evolution of what "those who know" call techno music. i still reference my trusty, dog-eared copy quite often all these years later. it's a pity that some type of compilation cd couldn't have been included with the book--that would solve some of the problems mentioned below. perhaps a new edition is in order?? props to dan sicko.

Techno Party, Vol. 2
$18.97
Who are these Happy Boys? They're probably happy that they can get more coke at the parties where these tracks are played: typical trance venues with $11 cocktails served. They had more of a variance on the "techno" sound that they "love" on this volume, but it still sounds like butt-rock-techno cliche.

The better tracks are by Ferry Corsten, Dirt Devils, DJ Isaac, and Benny Benassi (who changed the sound of club music after Satisfaction). The rest sound like dust on top of those better tracks, like remnants of a sound that everyone gets but doesn't necessarily like. I thought there were some interesting tracks that are still bad (the possessive Pat Benatar-soundalike-track by Ago, and Scooter's "you love it or hate it" sound in Maria).

It's hard to make a comp anymore that doesn't have some flavor that doesn't suit the rest of the album, but this mix just throws you around from good to bad to worse then good...make up your damn taste!