Art Of Noise

I don't exactly know how to characterize the sound of "Art of Noise". Perhaps this is one reason why their music continues to remain fresh. There isn't really any obvious time stamp put on their music nor does their sound seem to fit into any traditional classification. They are certainly influenced by a huge array of artists and genres, but they have always managed to escape being identified with a certain movement. The group is British and they certainly have a tendency to work with electronics and sampling, but it doesn't seem right to place there sound into the same camp as groups like the Human League or the Depeche Mode. There music encompasses to many genres to list off, but it never really seems to fit neatly into a single one. Their sound in a sense is a conglomeration of Opera, break beat, jazz, classical minimalism and techno.
"Born on a Sunday" is a great example of how the band filters a wealth of musical ideas throughout their sound. This particular track is a wonder to see live. It begins with the dream-esque sound of the Kurzweil synthesizer (a preset which has gained this piece of equipment wide recognition) and leads into a strong operatic vocal performance. The song progresses into a breakbeat jazz core rendezvous and diverges into ambient soundscapes accompanied by Aphex Twin style drum patterns. During their live performances member Paul Morley will sometimes give poetic descriptions of the pieces the band is about to play. This beautifully sets the atmosphere for each succeeding track giving the audience a deeper understanding of the ideas the Art of Noise is trying to get across. This group has not only mastered the vibe conveyed by frantic club music, they have also proven themselves to be the go to band for seductive downbeat mood music.
This without a question has been a major selling point for many fans of the band including myself. Hearing a live performance of their somewhat later material like "The Holy Egoism of Genius" and their earlier singles such as "Moments In Love" make it hard not to get caught up in the surreal state the music endows on the listener. If you are looking for a show to dance to, chill out at, or be intellectually stimulated, then this is for you.