Other Bands?
This project was started by a post to the orbital @xmission mailing list, which asked for bands that subscribers liked, and perhaps would recommend to other Orbital fans. The resultant listing is here, organised so that bands with recommendations are listed first, and plain lists of likes are in the final section.A submissions guide is available if you want to add to the list. There are plans for a submission form, but these are reliant on all sorts of things, so please be patient.
The Aloof
- Jaz and Gary (the other two from the Sabres) have made two albums to date: "Cover The Crime" and "Sinking". Graham Racher
Aphex Twin
- "A topsy-turvy artist. Always describes his music as crap and sometimes it
is. But when its good its touching brilliant. From the early 'Analogue
Bubblebath' to the beaty 'AcridAvid Jam Shred'. From the pleasent 'On' to
the trippy 'Alberto Balsalm'. The talent is there, but the experimentation
is also present. If you want noise just try 'Ventolin'." Steve Price
- "Classics" is the album I'd recommend for someone who hasn't listened to him before. Sandra Lyons
Autechre
- "Similarly experimental - bit more 'clanky' than Orbital" Andy Jackson
- "I'd like to put my vote in for Autechre as well. Specifically, hunt for the 'Anvil Vapre' EP which is very beautiful. They use different instruments than Orbital, but they're going the same place Orbital is going, if you get my drift." Anthony Agee
- "I'd put these in alongside Orbital as my favourite electronic music group. Showing a similar devotion to experimentatation, as Andrew states, giving their three albums so far distinctive yet familial sounds. Their EPs, again like Orbital's, are compelling pieces of work and should be hunted down." Paul Mison
- Especially "Inculabula" - harsher, deeper, moodier than Orbital, well worth the listen. Wearing out the CD at the moment! Sandra Lyons
- links
- "I'd like to put my vote in for Autechre as well. Specifically, hunt for the 'Anvil Vapre' EP which is very beautiful. They use different instruments than Orbital, but they're going the same place Orbital is going, if you get my drift." Anthony Agee
BT
- "The album Ima is basically an intelligent dance music journey.
Great atmospherics and textures, as well as banging beats." Fraser Macdonald
- links
Chemical Brothers
- "Like Orbital, The Chemical Brothers haven't forgotten that melody most
often makes the music. However, the Chemical Brothers have chosen to fuse
their music with hip-hop. You'll never go back once you're re-acquainted
with that phat bass drum" Anthony Agee
- "Ace!!" Simon Bailey
- "Exit Planet Dust" is dance at it's catchy best coupled with some mad sounds... bop away! Didn't think much of their "Live At The Heavanly Social"; well they can't all be perfect! Sandra Lyons
- Also mentioned by Graham Racher
- "Ace!!" Simon Bailey
CJ Bolland
- "Harder and dancier in early days, but 'Electronic Highway' LP is quite Orbitalesque" Andy Jackson
808 State
- "The elder statesmen of experimental techno. These guys
are so far ahead they're out of sight. Recommended albums are
Utd. State 90 (amazing when you hear this stuff and remember that
some of it dates back to '88 or so) and Don Solaris (their
newest album, which takes a while to get into, but is worth the
effort)." Fraser Macdonald
- links
Enya
- "Enya is when you put together all the soothing, angelic voices that grace Orbital's music and make it even more beautiful. A pure, textural wonder..." Satoko Takatomi
Finitribe
- "One of a rare breed of good Scottish dance bands. Unfortunately, they seem to have split now, although there was a single quite recently. Anyway, the album to buy is Sheigra (bless you!), which is basically more intelligent dance music. Their web pages have recently been removed, so I don't have any more info." Fraser Macdonald
Fluke
- "YASUG (Yet Another Sadly Underrated Group) I don't
really know much about these guys. Basically, they produce great
'atmospheric' techno tunes, with slightly weird vocals. A bit like
a cross between Orbital and Underworld. Two albums - Six Wheels on
my Wagon and OTO. Go and buy now. 'Nuff said." Fraser Macdonald
- "For the pure Brown album fan, check out 'Six Wheels on my Wagon'. Every track is a real builder." Ian Silvester
- links
- "For the pure Brown album fan, check out 'Six Wheels on my Wagon'. Every track is a real builder." Ian Silvester
Freaky Chakra
- "Trippy acid; Toni Halliday vox on 'budded on earth to bloom in heaven' make it the perfect song ever. Restrained techno - none of that Josh Wink over-the-top stuff." Wes Kline
Future Sound Of London
- "Very inconsistent but those good tracks are *really* good. Steer clear of
the overrated 'Lifeforms' LP and get ahold of some of their most recent
works like 'ISDN'." Anthony Agee
- "Whether they are Mental Cube, Yage, Indo Tribe, Humanoid etc, they always deliver. FSOL as they more commonly known have gone from the ground - breaking studio albums 'Accelerator' & 'Lifeforms' to the live studio album 'ISDN'. Their latest offering 'My Kingdom Ep' is a beautiful cinematic creation lifting the Blade Runner sample and placing it amongst the everyday life samples that Brian and Gary create. 'Lost Cities' the future album (released November '96) will no doubt open more avenues into the world of techno." Steve Price
- Apart from We Have Explosive (from the Wipeout 2097 soundtrack), "Accelerator" is (imVho) their only stuff worth buying. Just for Papua New Guinea, even. What a tune... Sandra Lyons
- "unable to develop an idea - attention deficit music" Wes Kline
- "Whether they are Mental Cube, Yage, Indo Tribe, Humanoid etc, they always deliver. FSOL as they more commonly known have gone from the ground - breaking studio albums 'Accelerator' & 'Lifeforms' to the live studio album 'ISDN'. Their latest offering 'My Kingdom Ep' is a beautiful cinematic creation lifting the Blade Runner sample and placing it amongst the everyday life samples that Brian and Gary create. 'Lost Cities' the future album (released November '96) will no doubt open more avenues into the world of techno." Steve Price
Hardfloor
- "Their dadamnphreaknoisephunk ep (sp?) is excellent when playing Quake" Michael George
Hardkiss
- "The brothers capture the perfect S.F. vibe: funky, tripped out, but still musical." Wes Kline
Higher Intelligence Agency
- "Wide ranging music, from horizontal
ambience upward. The album I'm thinking about is 'Freefloater' (on
Beyond Records); distinctly upbeat. Similar to Orbital in that they use
original, meaty, analogue sounds." Ian Silvester
- "Fellow Brummies!. The excellent 'Freefloater' portrays the chilling atmosphere that is created from their local club Oscillate. 'Elapse' and 'Tortose' are my personal highlights from HIA. An excellent live group as well." Steve Price
- links
- "Fellow Brummies!. The excellent 'Freefloater' portrays the chilling atmosphere that is created from their local club Oscillate. 'Elapse' and 'Tortose' are my personal highlights from HIA. An excellent live group as well." Steve Price
Kraftwerk
- "Because you just can't believe how old their stuff is and it still sounds so fresh! The fathers of techno, no doubt!" Satoko Takatomi
Leftfield
- "Progressive housemeisters. If you've heard Song of Life,
then you know that these guys are quality. Buy Leftism (the album)
now. Immediately. Then ask yourself why you didn't do it before." Fraser Macdonald
- "Leftism" is more catchy, dancy stuff. Sandra Lyons
- Also recommended by Anthony Agee and Graham Racher
- links
- "Leftism" is more catchy, dancy stuff. Sandra Lyons
LFO
- "2 albums in the making in just 6 years. Are they lazy or perfectionists? The classic debut 'Frequencies' murmours sub-bass in the infamous 'LFO' and chills to 'Simon from Sydney'. It really has to be listened to to appreciate and again check the label - 1991 - music like that was around then. 'Advance,' the latest offering, again touches ambient to frantic and loopy techno. 'Shove Piggy Shove' is a delight, 'Psychodelik' bops and warbles at a nice fuzzy pace and 'Tied Up' farts its way into the hard hitting techno league." Steve Price
Lionrock
- Justin Robertson (better known as a DJ, taught the Chemical Brothers a thing or two) and pals. Album: "An Instinct For Detection.". Like Underworld, not afraid to use a guitar. Graham Racher
Mike Oldfield
- "Yes, he has written some pretty boring music, but listen to Orbital's In Sides, then listen to Oldfield's Amarok. They both have that perfect sense of timing, of knowing exactly where to put the notes. " Ian Silvester
µ-ziq
- This band doesn't have much in common with Orbital, but they are still amazing. The music just seems to flow consistently, and all of it just goes together excellently. It's perfect music to just play in the background and do stuff with your buddies. Sugam Jain
Nine Inch Nails
- A strange choice perhaps, but great for when you want to let off steam or want to brood... The only really good industrial apart from some Ministry ;> Try "Further Down the Spiral" (remixes of TDS) for sheer texture & noise. Sandra Lyons
The Orb
- Orbus Terrarum is very impressive and smooth, with humorous samples included in "Slug Dub". All around enjoyable album with lots of character. Christopher J. Karpinsky
Plastikman
- Orbus Terrarum is very impressive and smooth, with humorous samples included in "Slug Dub". All around enjoyable album with lots of character. Christopher J. Karpinsky
- When you are feeling especially reductionist, put on some of the best acid out there. 'Sheet One' is especially good i.m.o." Wes Kline
Polygon Window
- "aka Richard 'Aphex Twin' James. 'Surfing On Sine Waves' is just brilliant" Michael George
Pressure of Speech
- "Similar sounds and subjects/themes" Andy Jackson
The Prodigy
- "Music for the Jilted Generation is their best." Michael George
- Also mentioned by Graham Racher
Red Snapper
- Dean Thatcher (was in the Aloof) et al. One compilation CD and "Prince Blimey." are dance with a jazz/ trip hop slant. Graham Racher
The Sabres of Paradise
- "or Two Lone Swordsmen and anything Andrew Weatherall has
been involved in. Weatherall is God. Just as people catch up with where his
head's at, he moves on. Impossible to predict, yet consistently brilliant.
Light years ahead of most. Oh yeah, he makes great music too: 'Smokebelch 2'
in particular, but also check both Sabres albums, the 'Deep Cuts'
compilation from his old label Sabres of Paradise, and the 'Fresh Emissions'
compilations from his current label Emissions Audio Output, and the recent Two Lone
Swordsmen album 'The Fifth Mission'. I can't think of anyone who has done
more for the furthering of dance/techno music. He should be knighted." Jon Green
- "Smokebelch remix by David Holmes is one of Techno's finest hours - but first LP is on a similar wavelength to Orbital to these ears." Andy Jackson
- Also mentioned by Graham Racher
- links:
- "Smokebelch remix by David Holmes is one of Techno's finest hours - but first LP is on a similar wavelength to Orbital to these ears." Andy Jackson
Salt Tank
- "Don't let the 'Dream House' tag put you off, they know how to groove hard - try 'Charged Up'" Andy Jackson
Schematix
- "Phil Holmberg is a mate of Paul Hartnoll's who is just getting his act together. He totally tore up Birmingham's Oscillate when he played there earlier this year. Very much in the same vein as Orbital (I'm sure they swap noises!) but no releases as yet. One to watch out for..." Ian Silvester
Spacetime Continuum
- "'Emit Ecaps' is Jonah Sharp at his best." Michael George
- "Ex-ambienteer who now sits where freeform jazz and electronics meet." Ian Silvester
Spooky
- "Densely layered, yet deceptively simple structures, weird sounds you
don't expect. 2 great albums in 'Gargantuan' and 'Found Sound'." Jon Green
- "The Mk II version - the 'Stereo' EP could be Orbital, it's that similar in sound." Andy Jackson
- "The 'Clank' e.p. is bloody genius." Ian Silvester
- They were great at the Essential Music Festival, Brighton, and Earth Energy Festival, SW London, and they can sound very much like Orbital. "Gargantuan" has just been re-released.
- links
- "The Mk II version - the 'Stereo' EP could be Orbital, it's that similar in sound." Andy Jackson
Subtropic
- "If, after hearing 'Times Fly', you wanted Orbital to do a jungle album, then 'Homebrew' on Reflective Records is the nearest you're gonna get." Ian Silvester
Sunscreem
- "They bring a definite pure meaning to ultra
environment dance music. Their new albums 'Change or Die' & 'New Dark
Times' bring an ethereal experience to lose yourself in the music.
Sunscreem is much like Orbital with a kick of angelic vocals." Crash Pango
- links
Underworld
- "because their tracks are so ambitious, they aren't afraid to turn
in repetitive 20 minute instrumentals, 3 minute acoustic numbers and full
vocal tracks. 'Rez'. 'Cowgirl'. 'Born Slippy (original mix)'. 'Lush 3-3' remix.
'Spoon Deep'. And so on..." Jon Green
- "No explanantion necessary - just the business" Andy Jackson
- "OK, forget Born Slippy (lager lager lager!) For real quality get the two albums dubnobasswithmyheadman and Second Toughest in the Infants. Absolutely stonking, with weird tunes and Hyde's nutty vocals." Fraser Macdonald
- "'Second Toughest in the Infants' is great stuff" Michael George
- "'Dub with no...' was an excellent debut to the then non-commercialised Underworld. Again ... sub-bass examples as practised by LFO. This album was an excellent start. 'Second Toughest...' although over-rated, is another good LP, 'Pearls Girl' take the beats to its highest and losing its listener amongst the synthed beats. An excellent group, bit commercialised at the moment...but I'm sure they won't be spoiled by it." Steve Price
- If you can look beyond the Lager lager lager of Born Slippy (damn - I used to LOVE that tune, sob!) & listen to Dubnobass, you'll not regret it! Cowgirl & Mmmm...Skyscraper I Love You are the business... Sandra Lyons
- Also mentioned by Satoko Takatomi and Graham Racher
- links:
- mmm... underworld i love you (unofficial, US)
- Unofficial, Netherlands
- "No explanantion necessary - just the business" Andy Jackson
Union Jack
- In particular, "There Will Be No Armageddon" (on Platipus). If the title wasn't reserved for Orbital's Snivilization, this would be the most incredible album I've come across. Lock yourself in your room, turn the light out & turn that dial nice & loud...it takes you on a flowing journey through a soundscape of beautiful trance and leaves you wondering what the hell you'd just heard when it's over. And wondering where you can get more. I think it's astounding. PLEASE listen to it - you can't help but adore it. Sandra Lyons
Vapourspace
- "Similar mixture of hard dance and kooky electronics" Andy Jackson
"Anything on Warp"
- "Apart from the self-indulgencies of certain artists - step forward Mr Aphex!" Andy Jackson
- Ed's note: See Aphex Twin, Autechre, LFO, Polygon Window and Sabres of Paradise above.
- links
- warp-net (official, UK)
- Ed's note: See Aphex Twin, Autechre, LFO, Polygon Window and Sabres of Paradise above.
Band Names Only
Submitted by Satoko Takatomi, who also wanted to ask "Are there many Orbital fans here in Japan? How about female fans like me?"
- Kraftwerk
- Chem.Bros.
- Josh Wink
- Enigma
- New Order
- Towa Tei
Submitted by Emileigh E. Rohn
- Download
- Kraftwerk
- Skinny Puppy
- Front Line Assembly
- Coil
- Amgod ...drifting off further
- Dead Can Dance
- Wolfsheim
- Deine Lakian
"Oasis, U2, The Wonder Stuff... Ace. Getting a lot of play on my stereo at the moment: Massive Attack (pure bliss!) and Shed Seven.
"Not really sure if other Orbital fans will be into any of these (Chemical Brothers aside) but hey, it's what I like!!" Simon Bailey
Submitted by Anthony Agee
- Electric Skychurch
- Cabaret Voltaire
- Aphex Twin
"I also like the Wipeout game soundtrack [by Cold Storage? ed], Platipus Records 'Ultimate dream collection' (a couple of tunes come very close to Orbital, I think) and '5yrs of Eye-Q Music', a great 2cd set. There are many others I'm into but like I said these get a lot of my attention." Michael George
"'The Ultimate Dream collection' (on Platipus Records- get the 2cd version) has a few Union Jack tracks, & most of the other tracks have been written/ produced/ engineered or somethinged by the 2 guys from UJ. Check out Viscious Circles by Poltergeist - a great track to hear in a club. Ignore track one if you must - Robert Miles' Children. Don't know what it's doing there, apart from getting more "mainstream" people to buy the cd.
"The 'Wipeout 2097 soundtrack' has got all the ol faves - Underworld, Orbital, FSOL, Autechre, Prodigy... For some happy, airheaded, boppy times give Nick Warren's cd from the 'Cream Live II' set a go - some catchy stuff, esp. Snow by ORN, & Way Out West's Dominion (better than the Gift, which is there too), and Star by the Shaker. Purely for throw-away enjoyment, you understand! No deep meaningful stuff here! Still love it, though." Sandra Lyons
