Skrillex-Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites

Skrillex, (2010). Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites [CD]. Big Beats Records/Atlantic. 43:50mins. ASIN: B004GGM444

Summary

Skrillex, known as Sonny Moore, has recently won a Grammy Award 2012 nomination for Best New Artist. This album’s playlist has nine songs: “Rock ‘n’ Roll (Will Take You to the Mountain),” “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites,” “Kill Everybody,” “All I Ask of You (featuring Penny),” “Scatta (featuring Foreign Beggars & Bare Noize),” “With You, Friends (Long Drive),” and then two remixes of “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” as well as one of “Kill Everybody.” This is the first Skrillex release on Big Beat Records, in conjunction with fellow electronic revolutionary Deadmau5’s freshly minted Mau5trap record label. (http://www.skrillex.com/bio/)

Critical Evaluation

 

Dubstep is a genre of electronic music gaining fast popularity. In iTunes, a review written by Unmedicated Eddie explains: “Skrillex has it down. This is purposeful, dutiful music with an avant-garde twist—it does its job (it’s absolutely dance music) but at the same time it carries a strong sense of menace and a bass that flies at you and knocks you unconscious like a meteor to the forehead. But it’s this album’s philosophy that gives it its character. Sonny Boy’s brand of music is the soundtrack to a new revolution that’s as rock ‘n roll as any, and he knows it” (December 2010). Skrillex is making its place on the music scene. Its collaborations with other music artists is being enjoyed by fans and widening its audience. According to the artist’s website, Skrillex is part of a new generation of artists that refuse to be restricted by preconceived notions or outside expectations. “Genre has never been important to me,” he insists. “I’ve never thought about music that way.” (http://www.skrillex.com/bio/)

 

Genre

Music

Electronic

Dubstep

Dance

DJ

Why did I include this title?

I had not heard of dubstep music or of Skrillex, but when I heard about them from some teenagers and saw they were nominated for a Grammy, I had to check them out. I’m glad I did. While I have not purchased this album from iTunes because I want to see if my library has the CD, I plan to download some songs into my iPod. I’m interested to see what becomes of this genre of music.