90

I don’t know a ton about electronic music but this was somehow both strange AND boring.

This would be perfectly adequate if I were on ecstasy in an abandoned warehouse or condemned townhouse and wanting to dance while some dude who brought his dog, who is very chill, keeps trying to talk to me about like, deep stuff.

This album is a great lesson on the importance of song selection and sequencing. I was linked to the US version Utd. State 90, which is significantly different than the UK version. The US version is missing one forgettable track (The Fat Shadow) and it includes 5 additional tracks. The UK version starts off with two of the weakest tracks (Magical Dream and Acodia) while the US version opens with one of the strongest (Pacific 202). All 5 additional tracks on the US version (Boneyween, Kinky National, Cübik, Revenge of the Girlie Men, and State to State) elevate this album. I’m rating the US version, which is at least a 1 star boost from the UK version.

-"Ancodia" is pretty catchy with the upbeat backbeat and "L-O-V-E Love" line -Nice driving groove in "Pacific 202" -Lots of good grooves and stuff for an electronic album

Late 80's electronica. Not for me.

like Tubular Bells on speed

It's ok, but just not my favorite type of music. Some of it works pretty well as background/productivity type music. 2.5 stars, rounding to 3.

The album has a neat tensity running throughout, but doesn’t do much for me. Time & place

Load of noise

Thought this was cool

Big beats are the best. I enjoyed this while I cooked pasta e faglioli

Not bad. First listen. Not really my choice of music, but it is enjoyable. 2/5

I had never heard of this band or their music before. I heard some elements that reminded me of the Pet Shop Boys. I heard some scratching that reminded me of early Run DMC records. I think I heard a swamp rave / dance party too. I labelled "808080808" as 'good' during my review. This album might just sneak in above "I did not hate it".

pacific state is a classic but bit dissapointed with some of it - aged i guess. 3

A bit like standing and playing pinball games.

Better than I expected, doesn't fall into the massive hit and filler trap as the whole album is definitely a piece of work as opposed to some mashed up half ideas. I'd almost go as far as to say it's worth a listen even if you took Pacific state off it.

Get me some party powder immediately. 🍭🤪🙆‍♂️

This shit is so acid

no me gustó :/

Quirky, catchy, and solid beats, especially for the time.

I liked this, it must’ve been cutting edge at the time

very weird it is actually pretty entertaining

1989: Pacific 202

Imagine this was really fun to rave to in the 90s. Would love to get ham and party to this at a festival.

Not bad, bit of fun.

Liked this, great to work to. Would have been fun clubbing in 90s to this

It was a very vibey album. I enjoyed it a lot, even if it had no real "substance" other than interesting instruments, sounds, and samples. Every song is something that I would put on in the background, but I wouldn't really actively listen to any, save for me favorite. Favorite track: Pacific 202

The gimmick of this album is kind of lost on me as we live in a time that the 808 is seen all the time in popular music. While I understand that this is a very influential-type album for the 808, this is kind of boring contextually.

Background music

This album has some of the most complex and beautiful drum programming you are likely to ever hear. Makes you wonder what happened to not just these guys but to the scene as a whole. After a masterpiece like this which is truly blueprint for that big sound that everybody attempted to immitate. Check out 'Cobra Bora'. Just when you think it has done it's thing, it takes off to another level. Pure techno jazz of the very highest order. An absolute masterpiece from start to finish. This is more apparent now than ever before and although to the untrained ear (or novice) this may sound dated, its only because of those big stadium sounds (as used on ie. Cubik) that will make people think this. Unaware to them, It was these guys and more to the point, this LP that came above all, first in line with that sound. Think again. This is a classic of monumental proportion and defines that year not just by title alone but to hear it, is to go back to the finest techno music of that that year, 90

I listened to today’s 1001 offering while sweeping up the backyard. I was thinking it wasn’t the best music choice when working in the yard and my neighbours quickly indicated they concur. I must say my sweeping pace was much faster than usual. I doubt that yard cleaners was the target audience for this LP but it works. I like what I'm hearing. Cobra Bora and Pac 202 and 80808080 are hot songs. I didn't realize this type of music was going on in 1989. A strange thought: someone around 40 years old might label this "Old fart's music" or "Shit my parents would listen to". Doesn't sound right does it? Perhaps it's a little dated now but I can only imagine how fresh and leading edge this would have been on release.

I remember listening to Pacific 202 and Cubik in the mix on Dave’s Dance music (CKLN) while we were unpacking & hanging pictures after moving to Toronto in 89. Compared to the so-called techno and acid-house that was all the rage (in the UK anyway) at that time, 808 State was more melodic. More songs verses tracks. The album gets off to a great start, but fades a bit at the end. The song Cubik was included on the North American release of this LP so I'll add 1 point for that banger.

Highly influential album due to their innovative use of the 808 drum machine but it didn’t age well and most of it is a noisy unholy mess. The best track is Pacific 202.

While it's not necessarily a genre I explore often, I've heard plenty of electronic music in the past that I've enjoyed - everything from techno, house, and dubstep to more obscure genres like drill n' bass. With all that said, I can't stand this album. I'm not sure what warranted its inclusion on this list - perhaps it was more of a trailblazer upon its release - but these songs range from boring at best to grating at worst.

Quirky elate 80’s electronica. Bonus: “In Yer Face” was a good listen.

I get around this energy. Pretty wild for pre 90s

Dawano nie wylosowalo tak ciezkiego odsluchu, zdarzaly sie juz elektroniczne picki, ale takiej techniawy jeszcze nie bylo, moze nie jest to jeszcze poziom pompownika, ale jednak poziom 150 BPM, to troche za duzo na moje biedne uszaki, plyta z 89 wydana przez wyspiarki zespol 808 state, to chyba nienajlepiej, ze slucham sobie inteligentnej muzyki tanecznej lezac w lozku, moze wlasnie to tworzy te bariere poznawcza, ktora nie pozwala mi przeniknac zlozonosc kompozycji tej plyty, bo jak tak ze sluchac inteligentnej muzyki tanecznej bez porszania konczynami, przeciez musi byc w niej cos zawarte, poza rytmicznymi uderzeniamu basiora, gibereszowymi samplami i wykorzystaniem mocno synthowych klawiszy, moze kryje sie za tym glebszy koncept, na co moga wskazywac plynne przejscia miedzy kolejnymi trakami, ktorych jest tutaj 8 rozciagnietych na 40 minut czasu materialu, niestety nie udalo mi sie zrozumiec fenomenu tego krazka, pewnie za malo go wytanczylem, pamiatkowo zostawie kawalek, ktory jako jedyny z calego setu mnie zainteresowal, czyli pacific 202, ktory o dziwo jest trzecim najpopularniejszym kawalkiem tej brytyjskiej bandy, utwor ten nie jest tak jednolity jak inne kawalki, ma wyraznie wyznaczone sekcje, tutaj klawiszowanko, tutaj jakis drumik, tam saksa daje popisy mozliwosci, a to wszystko okraszone dosc orginalnymi sampelkami, ktore jak dla mnie brzmia dosc ptasio, ogolny klimat nasuwa mi skojarzenia z hot lajnem majami i latami 90, dlatego wlasnie bedzie to dla mnie hajlajt sluchowiska

Overall I find this genre of music too chaotic to latch onto anything in particular. However, the opening track is a sceeching fill in the first few seconds that grabbed me. Overall, the sounds are just a little harsh (in terms of timbre) and pointed in terms of pitch and melody for my ears.

I like the atmospheric, even vaguely jazzy beats , such as Sunrise, mixed with more conventional elaborations of the old funk-soul sound. (7/10) Favourite Songs: Pacific 202

Kinda kitch, but this was revolutionnary at the time. My ears man.

A seminal album that I haven't listened to until now. Absolutely ahead of its time and has so much soul for a record that is completely electronic.

Enjoyed that - ambient music great to work to and recognised a few of the tunes. 3.7 for me

Sounds like something my dad might like. I'd give it a 2.5, but uh, can't do that. Entertained me more than devious garbage so it stands out

No. Just… no. Annoying techno dreck. Not my cuppa.

1 1/2

Very techno. If geometry dash came out in the late 1980's. It was pretty cool I guess.

bad

You can tell it must have been very influential given it came out in 1989, but it's a pretty boring listen nowadays

No genre of music has improved more than this edm garbo, thing has 808 in the title wtf (still innovative i guess)

I'm kind of liking this ... at first. Then I realize that I should hate this. But, I don't. OK, maybe not that bad, is that birds in Pacific 202? Would listen to again as background music while doing something. Maybe the first electronic music I kindof like?

Techno is not my thing but I can appreciate the creativity that went into making this.

This is the first album where I was irritated less than one track in. Maybe it's really influential or something...but I strongly dislike this style of music. I appreciate the random birdsongs in the background I guess.

Really wanted to like this, but it sounded all the same. Tried too hard with th sythn, a little more guitar would have been better. 2 stars

Electronic music but too old. Maybe it was something great new for their time, but now it sounds too noisy. Although some effects sound very complicated even for our time.

Good electro album. Not great but good 3.5 stars but gotta go 3

good background music

If a crappy C-movie was made music. First one I can't finish.

Interesting stuff

Loved parts, hated parts.

I

An ok album. Was somehow expecting more energy and vibrancy. Pacific 202 stood out. I’m sure the tracks have more impact played loud in a club and lose their potency being heard via earpiece headphones but left feeling uninspired in any case.

Not as good as Underworld but not far off. Early 90's Manchester Techno? Yes please

I like this. Start to end it is good.

Liked every song . Great music and techno beats. Shocked how old it is. Good to workout 🏋️‍♀️ with and have never heard of them before

Horrendo, insoportable. Me cuesta creer que este disco triunfase tan a finales de los 80.

some cool stuff on here but a lot was kinda boring.

Found myself wishing it was done waaay before it was. 202 Pacific was okay

3.8 perhaps good ambient tunes

It's ok, need to remember how influential it was as its pretty dated now

A couple of bangers but pretty dated

Pretty good, but not really my type

Demasiado esotérico para mi gusto

4

This was a very cool album. The songs felt a tad long and repetitive but it made for great background music. The album cover is both bland and baffling in a good way, I'm not sure the significance of the numbers either.

Música que molesta mucho escuchar.

Sounds cool but nothing really special on this.

Electronica at its most electric! Not something that I listen to a lot. Or ever.

Never heard of this group or album before and really loved it.

> leftism shit

I'm lacking the enviroment to enjoy this. Did not age well

I had no idea what to expect with this, but the genre label "acid house" is much funnier to me than it should be. This is pretty cool though, some really interesting electro-grooves. Nothing too special to me, but an enjoyable listening experience. "Ancodia" sounds indebted to Herbie Hancock's "Rockit." Favorite tracks: Ancodia, Cobra Bora, Donkey Doctor. Album art: Very minimal, but I do like the outline font choice, and the two little inset photos are nice if you can see them. 3.5/5

I've never heard of this group or record previously. It was a fun listen! This era of electronic music is a gap for me. I've got Kraftwerk, and then nothing prior to the mid 90s with Moby etc.

I like the font? “Donkey Doctor” is a funny image? I don’t know, that’s all I got.

Pacific 202 and 808080808 are just banging, but the rest just get a head nod here and there. Solid, but nothing outstanding or timeless.

God so much of this is cliche now but they invented it

Not a fan of late 80s and early 90s electronica.

Greet at the time I'm sure! Not aged very well thoigh

nice beats. best electric/house one so far. dancey dance :)

have a thing against birdsong in music x

i like

Lite cyber/arkad aktig Electrolux musik...nooo. knarkhits 1990

Surprisingly good

Alright, very 80s, lots of synth, loon calls for a bit?

-really good fam

Funky and cool. Good work music.

2.5. Very 90s electronica that reminds you of that sound of the 90s. Computerized beats, synthesizers, and airy vocals

tum tum

So 90s! Nice collection of tracks.

Varmaankin aikoinaan ollut ihan edelläkävijä soundeissaan, mutta 2021 ei koveta.

not really a fan, its like a mix between early techno and house

What the hell is this

I just don’t get this type of music.

I get it, but I did not enjoy it

Mærkeligt elektronisk musik, tempofyldt

I listened to this album for 39 minutes and now I'm clinically insane. I worry for the people who seek this out voluntarily. Best track: Magical Dream

it's an above average house album, the sound design is pretty unique, and the drum sound on the first couple of tracks is pretty good. kind of ethereal.

2/18 Can't wait till I get a car. Standout Tracks: Cobra Obra, Pacific 202, Donkey Doctor, 808080808

Hmmm....not as good as I expected

Classic slice of Mancunian techno.... ticks all the boxes including nostalgia!