Ask Lemmy

Bear with me: Beiguan music.

It's traditional Chinese music with tinny horns, drums and symbols. Close your eyes and imagine a temple procession slowly and loudly passing by, puppets, costumes, dancers, musicians, firecrackers, the smell of street food and general din of human enjoyment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iohWrjSVnb4

If you want something less chaotic, a gamelan orchestra is like rain decided to hold a soiree.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEWCCSuHsuQ

And then when you're ready to feel the waves break over your soul, it's time for Taiko drumming.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZagsLrNzg3I

This is a weird one, but I'm going to say Thunder, Lightning, Strike by The Go! Team. It has the vibe of kids playing on a playground in the 80s and 90s. Like, double Dutch jump rope, neon colors, excited chatter... Pure, innocent joy. It isn't actually about any of those things, but the way the band uses samples, lots of trumpet (the most triumphant instrument), and the sung/rapped/chanted/cheered vocals really make it feel like that. It's not experimental though, these are catchy, banger pop songs. One of my favorite albums of all time.

Televisions Marquee moon

Not sure if it fits the assignment, but the first two Human League albums from the 70s (Reproduction and Travelogue) are analogue synth brilliance. If you can find the expanded version of Reproduction with the Dignity of Labour EP & flexidisc conversation added, even better.

KNOWER FOREVER

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2F0oTqfL3E

Waltari - Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! Death Metal Symphony in Deep C

One of the first collaborations of a metal band with a classical orchestra. That kind of stuff became more commonplace later, but this mix of death metal, classical music and all kinds of other influences remains unique to this day.

KOAN Sound - Polychrome. Everything these guys do is amazing but I feel like this album in particular has an unmatched vibe.

Sigh - Imaginary Sonicscape

Music by Cavelight by Blockhead. My fav stoned album of all time, probably.

Laurie Anderson Mister Heartbreak https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mister_Heartbreak

The consequences album by Godley and creme. I don't think I've ever found another fan haha

The dwarf fortress soundtrack slaps so much harder than it has any right to

https://youtu.be/W2Df3_k9PGM?si=H7nKAV94ixSLNJZU

I discovered Hirasawa Susumu through his work on the Paprika soundtrack and later his other albums thanks to the magic of Youtube. I'm not even sure how to describe it, it's a whole world. There's this album (Kyusai no giho). I'm not a big fan of japanese music otherwise, but this ? I've never heard anything remotely like this. And it seems so coherent, so... mature, in a way.

Great idea for a thread btw, will have to peruse the replies

Alek and the Drummer - May a Lightning Bolt Caress You

Miles Davis On the Corner

The Velvet Underground & Nico

Boards of Canada Music has the Right to Children

DJ Krush: Code 4109

DJ Shadow: Endtroducing

Works of art

Veil of Imagination by Wilderun

Deep Forest

The most recent one that comes to my mind is HEADACHE - The head hurts but the heart knows the truth

Dark Side of the Moon

Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime

Formless by Gridlock made me an IDM convert.

For Hawwa and Aimina watch it on a large screen up close when you're high.

Red Gone Wild (redman). Incredible piece of art. There are layers upon layers of instruments perfectly mastered. And redman is firreee.

Some of my favorites are

“Trust” by LOW

“October Rust” by Type O Negative

“Welcome Oblivion” by How to Destroy Angels

“Dusk” by The The

and more recently “DECIDE” by Djo

Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis) by Praxis is really bizarre and amazing.

Glass swords by Rustie. Incredible album and very unique.