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The Best of 2001

Albums of the Year

Autechre - Confield (Warp)

Anyone promoting themselves as being at 'the cutting edge' of music (and there are plenty of the poor fools out there) should do us all a favour by listening to Autechre and reconsidering their misplaced pretensions. Autechre are way, way out on a limb that most musicians couldn't even dream of. While Confield was not their best work to date, it was nevertheless a superb display of the aural wizardry and unsurpassed originality that only Autechre are capable of.

Björk - Vespertine (One Little Indian)

Following on from 1997's Homogenic, Vespertine borrowed the electronic stylistics of its predecessor, yet moved Björk's sound in a whole new direction. Inuit choirs and lush string arrangements perfectly complemented the metallic melodies and, of course, Björk's phenomenal voice. Vespertine is an incredible achievement, and songs like 'Hidden Place', 'Undo' and 'Unison' are modern classics. It is Björk's best album to date (no mean feat, given the competition), and shows what a valuable treasure she really is.

Richie Hawtin - DE9 | Closer to the Edit (Novamute)

Mellower, cleverer, and (hard though it may be to believe) even better than the original Decks, EFX & 909 album. An absolute must have for any self-respecting techno fan.

(Click here for the full review…)

Plaid - Double Figure (Warp)

Double Figure saw Plaid finally recapturing the brilliance of their days as two-thirds of Black Dog Productions. Soaked in meticulous melodies and badass basslines, the album crammed in 19 tracks, with none missing the target. From the Orbitalesque 'Assault on Precinct Zero' to the quasi-jungle rumblings of 'Twin Home', Double Figure showcased a wide breadth of styles, yet each track shared a vital ingredient - several gallons of class. Furthermore, second track 'Squance' is (as some folk would have it) 'the shit'.

Radiohead - Amnesiac (Parlophone)

Contrary to what the mainstream music press desperately want us to believe, Amnesiac was not as good as Kid A. This however doesn't belittle Amnesiac at all, and it is still easily one of the albums of the year for the simple fact that Radiohead are the greatest band that have ever walked the face of the planet. 'Pyramid Song', 'I Might Be Wrong', 'You and Whose Army' - why, exactly, do other bands even bother? Radiohead's most admirable achievement over the past 18 months has been their adoption of electronic music, the widespread confusion and vitriol this has caused in the aforementioned music press, and the fact that the people that actually matter (i.e. the fans, not the papers) fucking loved every minute of it.

Event of the Year - Sónar 2001, Barcelona

Every year for three days and three nights in June, a little part of Barcelona becomes the focus point for the world's electronic music producers, retailers and fans. Sónar is now in its 8th year, and is becoming increasingly popular, increasingly visible and, thanks to cheap airline tickets, increasingly accessible. By day, the festival commandeers Barcelona's main Modern Art gallery, and by night it moves to a behemoth of a building in the industrial district that consists of 2 astoundingly large halls and an outdoor arena.

During the day three stages of music showcase the full spectrum of quality electronic music on offer today. There's Mexican techno, Brazilian jungle, Scandinavian house and, of course, John 'Fucking' Peel. If you're tired of the music (stupid thing to say, as you don't tire of anything at Sónar) you can browse the record fair, try out the latest music production technology, or have a wander round the interactive art installations.

At night, things get a little bit more hectic. While the emphasis of Sónar by day is immersing yourself in cultural variety and relaxing in the gallery's main courtyard, Sónar by night is more, um, 'direct'. The sound systems are crystal clear (and VERY loud), the lighting is spectacular, and the line up has seemingly been arranged by God. Sigur Rós, Richie Hawtin, Jeff Mills, Umek, Carl Cox, Warp Records and on and on and on.

The balance between day and night is perfect and the organisation of the whole shindig is spot on. Sónar puts the UK's 'dance' festivals to shame. Whether it's Tribal Gathering, Homelands or Essential, you do not realise how thoroughly UK promoters have screwed you until you see Sónar in all its glory. Sónar is the platform this music deserves - long may it continue.

By Ronnie