Post #291015 by DJ Terence Gunn on Sun, Mar 11, 2007 7:48 AM

Jeff Central: I grew up listening to Jean Jaques Perrey since I was 5 years old so I have an affection for fun, whimsical, sound effects that is displayed throughout the Tropical Fantasy album. I can see how it could be irratating to some people though. It really is crazy and the sound effects are extreme but that's what sets him apart from the rest.

DJ Terence Gunn: The music, the arrangements, and the sound effects certainly are childlike, so I can definitely see how you'd find affection in that, if you'd been raised on such music. Nearly everybody loves their childhood, so it's difficult to be subjective of musical taste/quality based on nostalgia.

Jeff Central: It would have been great if they ended that track ['Tsetse Fly'] with the sound of a fly swatter hitting that damn fly. That would have topped it off.

DJ Terence Gunn: I would love to have heard such a thing! I wouldn't like the song any more than I would without such an ending (it's not just the buzzing of the fly I dislike -- its the music, too; and musically there are more irritating Denny songs), but I would feel justified in having had to listen to it all the way through. I wonder if 'Tsetse Fly' ever appeared on Dr. Demento.

Jeff Central: As far as any irritating Exotica records I cannot think of too many albums that would make me run to the stereo yelling nooooooo! I agree that some of the band-wagon jumper albums are bad. Not irritating just BAD.

DJ Terence Gunn: Neither can I -- hence this topic. But does 'I cannot think of too many' mean 'none'? As far as the meaning of bad (and I'm not talking James Brown here), bad to me IS irritating, so you've lost me there.

Jeff Central: I wrote an article on Electronic Exotica which will be in the next issue of Tiki Magazine. Some people may think this form of Exotica to be irritating as well while others may enjoy the tranquil effects of lush tropical soundscapes.

DJ Terence Gunn: Although I do like some songs within the genre, I don't like electronica AS a genre, so I will be one who finds such Exotica irritating. The song 'Exotic Moog' I think is brilliant (minus the Donald Duck effects), but I don't care for the rest of the album. (This has more to do with the material Denny chose rather than the implementation of the moog. Basically, there's absolutely nothing exotic about this album. Weird, far out, groovy, spacey -- yes. Exotic? No.) Electronics interspersed for atmosphere and effect (as long as they're not presented in a silly, humour-provoking way) in some late 1960s/early 1970s Exotica recordings, I quite like. But does that make such songs 'early electronica'? or in other cases moog albums 'moog'? I never understood that. Many of the early moog artists used guitar, bass, drums, percussion, etc. on their 'moog recordings'. The moog was a lead instrumentation at times, as well as provided atmospherics, but it didn't dominate the music. Now Walter (Wendy) Carlos -- THAT's moog. Tomita -- THAT's electronic.

Jeff Central: The BEST kind of Exotica has the ability to transport the listener and change his environment no matter what kind of instrumentation they use.

DJ Terence Gunn: Yes and no. Exotica music must sound exotic (hence the name of the genre), not just goofy or weird. And there's nothing exotic sounding about electronics. Atmospheric and ethereal, yes. Exotic, no. Sure a synthesiser can immitate a natural sound, but it does not create a natural sound. As far as Electronic Exotica, I feel a more accurate term would be Synthetic Exotica or Progressive Exotica.

Anyway, I've a feeling you and I, Jeff, could debate, analise, and banter for hours, probably loving every minute of it; and I certainly look forward to your article in Tiki Magazine. But what I'd really like to see posted is what some TCers think is the most irritating Exotica album and song. ('Course, one of these may well turn out to be an electronic exotica album, so who knows?)