The Late ’90s Machines of Matador
October 29th, 2009 | 10:10 am est |
In the late 90s, someone at Matador must have become tired of guitars or grown bored with indie rock because all of a sudden the label began releasing all kinds of really great electronic music. In retrospect it’s even crazier that the label releasing the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Pavement, Silkworm and Run On was all of a sudden confusing people by putting out albums by Plone, Solex and Boards of Canada. You have to admit that it was a pretty brave move and though it probably didn’t pay off financially, it established the label as even more of a maverick in the indie rock world than it already was. Let’s take a look back at some of the high points of Matador’s electronic years….
Boards of Canada - Music Has the Right to Children
“Roygbiv”
Two Lone Swordsmen - Stay Down
“The Big Clapper”
Solex - Pick Up
“Dork at 12 O’Clock”
Console - Rocket in the Pocket
“Rocket in the Pocket”
Plone - For Beginner Piano
“Marbles”
Burger/Ink - Las Vegas
“Flesh & Bleed”
Jega - Spectrum
“Musical Chairz”
Matador released a number of Pizzicato Five’s US albums, which I really expected to see on a Sendra list - not quite electronica in the same way that Boards of Canada is, I realize, but noteworthy nonetheless.
The Bionaut also has a series of records on Matador, being Burger a maverick in his own right.
And how about Matmos? A great sunken treasure, isn’t it?
It’s also curious that Guitar Mecca Sub Pop had also released some electronics by the same time around, such as Saint Etienne.
I’m surprised at how many of these I own, not even knowing they were on the same label. Now I’ll have to chase down the few I don’t. Thanks, Tim!
It always fascinates me knowing more about indie rock music and their different releases…and similar kind of thing I got to knew visiting this forum.
Thanx for the valuable information. This was just the thing I was looking for, Guitar Mecca Sub Pop had also released some electronics by the same time around, such as Saint Etienne. keep posting. Will be visiting back soon.