aphex's SAW2 is undeniably classic. 85-92 as well, really. and put out so much material in that decade though, a lot of it was not so classic. but there are a ton of individual tunes he did that were amazing and classic (alberto balsam, flim, a handful of songs from drukqs, tons of AFX stuff, the tuss, etc.)
boc's MHTRTC is a classic of course. geogaddi is debatable i think. but boc's influence on today's electronic music is heavy and impossible to ignore.
basically, the warp juggernauts are obvious classics that will stand the test of time and probably only look more remarkable with age.
i think today burial might actually be the best example of an artist that stepped outside of trends and expectations and did his own thing so genuinely and completely. he reminds of a lot of the 90s warp guys in that he keeps to himself, doesnt promote himself all day, doesnt tour, etc. he just wants to make music (like he said in one of his rare 'public' appearances, "i just want to make tunes"), and you can see that it's genuine and not just a try for anonymous cool factor. he's also like the warp dudes in that his music simultaneously draws from modern forward-thinking dance sounds and creates something that is completely interesting to listen to sitting on your ass with some nice headphones. only his first album's stuff was really close to club-ready, and that's pushing it a bit. big djs (big in the 'underground') have been playing his stuff since the beginning though. it's just too good, and when utilized properly can be devastating.
i could go on about burial's greatness but i'm rambling enough as it is.
the distinction between club music and 'home listening' electronic music has been blurring more and more each day. they both draw from each other, and often are both at the same time. like, i listen to a lot of 12 inch singles at home and in the car. a lot of older dance music wouldnt work as well for that, i dont think. like early 90s detroit techno, some of it is just too raw and repetitive to be felt anywhere but in a dark, heavy club. sort of like how techno and house became techno/house, most of it, for a while now, not being fully one or the other. its been rare for a while for a tune to be able to be straight up a techno tune or a house tune. partly because those genres were region-based, then they migrated and hybridized over and over until it could no longer just be techno or house. though there are always the retro-leaning tunes that go for the straight house sound or whatever.
rambling again. not sure if ive even said anything thats really on topic. i was working toward a point then lost track. i give up for now. this is actually a pretty interesting topic that i think we could have a decent discussion on.
since i'm really far from getting to my main point, i'll do a short version: i don't think electronic music is particularly susceptible to wearing out quickly.
but there is the 'issue' of there being an excess of it, particularly in the last decade, that has been growing. any kid can get a DAW program pretty easily and make amazing music without even a midi keyboard or anything. but of course 99% of the amateur stuff out there is forgettable at best, because most of them aren't putting the same amount of work into their product that successful artists do, or they aren't good at forming connections with other artists (allowing them to learn from people with experience, get their foot in the door with people who can get them gigs, form a relationship with labels, etc.), simply aren't talented enough, or just don't care to be 'successful' in whatever terms. i like knowing that there are tons of people out there making great music and not pushing it on people, just making it because they enjoy making it. or the artists who have the talent to be huge (not platinum record huge, but BNM 9.5 huge) but decide to remain low and put out faceless releases on obscure, but respected smaller labels.
it blows my mind how much electronic music is out there, like on soundcloud and stuff. a lot of it is sort of decent, but ultimately really unremarkable, or having glaring production issues (production is everything...), or whatever. but way more of it is just bad. so much of it is bad, it's incredible.
that said, i'm all for this giant wave of musicians and producers that is washing over us. i like the idea of fuckloads of people having access to fruity loops and just making shit. i wish it wasnt 99.9% dudes just making bad versions of trendy dance music, but still, i like the idea of more people making 'art.' if more people just made what's inside them, without trying to sound like anything or anyone, that would be great. even if they werent especially talented or didnt have a unique/interesting perspective, it would at least be genuine, which makes it worth something.
