Silver Apples / Contact

Silver Apples | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 21, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B000002P7M
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,627 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Oft-sampled electronic pop pioneers the Silver Apples released two exceptionally influential, off-kilter records in 1968 and '69, then apparently vanished. The group was formed in New York City in the psychedelic heyday of 1967 by drummer Danny Taylor and protosynth player Simeon, who quaintly named his hand-built instrument the Simeon. Taylor was a powerhouse of polyphony and his looping, loping playing is the engine that drives the Apples' experimental music, characterized by snippets of found sound, weird and warbly high-pitched singing, stray banjos, and--most importantly--the battering, buzzing, bleeping beauty of the Simeon synth. The two albums are a bizarre, sincere mixture of avant-garde sensibilities, pop melodies, folk-psyche song structures, overwrought poetry, and hefty percussion. It is difficult-to-describe, signature music that ranks high alongside the most forward-thinking avant-prog. The group got back together in the mid-'90s, spurred on by the enthusiasm that many acts showed for their music (the group has been name-checked and more by Spacemen 3, Low, and Stereolab). But as is often the case, the reunion records just don't quite cut it--this one CD has everything you need. Lazy electronic musicians are encouraged to sample the heck out of this band; you won't be the first. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Techno bands can trace their music and equipment to Contact, April 6, 1999

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Target Market (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Silver Apples / Contact (Audio CD)

I knew Simeon of Silver Apples back in 94. At that time he was working as an artist (the kind that paint). His work and exhibit were great, I bought some of his work. He had mentioned that he was in a band in the late 60's called Silver Apples and that he had, for practical purposes invented the synthesizer. Being a musician I was intrigued by his story and periodically looked for Silver Apples' records without much luck. Then I stumbled on this re-release here at Amazon.com. What a surprise (I realize now that Simeon really "played down" his musical career and contribution to music technology.). The album Contact is phenomenal. At the risk of oversimplifying Silver Apples "two decades ahead of the rest of the world" sound - I would say the album has lyrics and vocals that resonate with hints of Jim Morrison/Doors poetry. But that would be the only 60's reference I could use. The real power of this album is that you have to jump ahead 20 to 30 years to provide any other comparisons. All syth-pop, techno and industrial bands of the 80's and 90's can trace their music (and equipment) back to the two original Silver Apple's albums found in this compilation. Songs like "Oscillations" and "You and I" give witness to the birth of synthesized music. Ironically bands now program drum machines to sound like "real drummers". Silver Apples percussionist Dan Taylor's driving metronomic style is so precise that, if it weren't 1969, you'd swear he was a machine. All in all, anyone who makes claim to being a connoisseur of, techno, industrial or alternative music must have this album. This album is at minimal - important. You may also like Solitaire Best Of: 83-86.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pioneers show all of us was what electronica really is!, March 30, 1999

By 

Hazen Komraus ([e-mail]) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Silver Apples / Contact (Audio CD)

I was lucky enough to be introduced to Silver Apples by my electronic music professor (Rob Constable). Since then I have gone on to share this album with many friends all who have been amazed that they had never heard of Silver Apples. With a strange dischordant funkiness, this band emits the rough appeal of Bjork with the oversampled mixes of Tricky. Don't let this comparison dissuade you, it is very difficult to explain Silver Apple's sound, but this is the nearest and most recognizable example that popped to mind when comparing Silver Apples to contemporary bands. If nothing else the sheer technical and aesthetic achievement (in the 60's!) of this album makes it important to any electronica listener. The mixes, classical samples, and loops are uncolored by modern electronic music, making this CD more original in its sound now then when it was first released. I truly encourage you to open your ears and tastes to this early deviation that has now become a major musical style.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Silver Apples - 'Silver Apples/Contact' (MCA Records), December 9, 2003

By 

Mike Reed (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Silver Apples / Contact (Audio CD)

This eighteen song disc is actually two albums on one CD;the duo's first self-titled lp('68)and 'Contact'('69).The Silver Apples are Simeon on audio generator&vocals and Dan Taylor on percussion&vocals.After hearing cuts like "Oscillations","Seagreen Serenade","Velvet Cave" and "Gypsy Love",you'll most likely get to appreciate their 30-years-ahead-of-their-time electronic wizardry.I believe this is the band that was a MAJOR influence on artists like Meat Beat Manifesto,Spacemen 3,The Cars and Stereolab.Simeon apparently suffered some serious automobile injuries during a reunion tour awhile back.Saw on some label's site that he's back in the business(good to know).A few years ago,Simeon and Taylor did a reunion tour plus released a couple of decent CD's,'Beacon' and 'Decatur'(see my review of both).I spoke with Simeon on the phone in spring '98 and he shared an interested tale with me.Check out the cover on 'Contact' as someone got in a heap of trouble for allowing the duo to have a photo shoot inside of a plane's cockpit.Top of the line electronic music with NOTHING held back.