page_title: Eurotechno
section_title: Composition
hierarchical_section_title: Eurotechno / Composition
caption_attribution_description: English: Roland TB-303 Panel
context_page_description: Eurotechno refers to the musical soundtrack by English group Stakker for their 1989 experimental short film of the same name. The original film was an avant-garde experiment in the audiovisual videola genre and features rapidly shifting colourful computer graphics, reflecting the influence of rave culture. Although the visuals of the film were primarily the work of Stakker members Marek Pytel, Mark McClean and Colin Scott, the musical soundtrack was largely the work of Brian Dougans, later of The Future Sound of London. The 25-minute soundtrack was recorded using a Roland TB-303, and reflects the fast-shifting momentum of the film by incorporating fragmented elements of acid house, Chicago house and Detroit techno that shift after their brief appearances, thus contributing to an intricately layered style.
  The film was released by Virgin Video Music in 1989 and became influential on other film-makers, although the soundtrack itself did not initially receive its own release. Over the years, the music proved influential on other producers, including Squarepusher and Aphex Twin.
context_section_description: The music of Eurotechno reflects the fragmented, fast-cut editing of the film by incorporating quick jumps between musical styles, including elements of Chicago house, Detroit techno, European dance music and foreshadows of Ibiza house. The 25-minute soundtrack is split into 21 tracks, with intentionally jarring edits between musical sections ensuring no recognisable patterns or beats last for much longer than a brief appearance. One journalist described the result as "a conveyor belt of sounds." The soundtrack is intricately layered, and throughout the music are "squelchy" Roland TB-303 sounds, pounding grooves, build-ups and breakdowns, 'searing' techno and acidic bass lines. The sounds of the soundtrack reflect the acid house scene of the era. The liner notes of the album release refer to it as an acid techno record.
  The 21 tracks throughout the soundtrack are not individually titled, instead being numbered as different parts of "Eurotechno" on the album release. According to Andy Beta of Pitchfork, the frequencies in the music quickly distort into four-on-the-floor rhythms, but soon undergo "permutations" with "harsh powertools buzz" surrounding and cutting them. He compared the frenzy of "clashing sounds" to Carl Stalling cartoons, due to the soundtrack's preference for "the most absurd squiggles, rubbery yanks, and rhythmic juxtapositions possible within the different patches of synth sound and editing capabilities." He described tracks 7-10–the longest on the album–as forming the "core" of the soundtrack, with metallic, droning keyboards and unabated beats. Track 9 features an ambient style with TB-303 "squirts basso," while track 10 features noises and processed vocals akin to early 808 State.
caption: The music on Eurotechno incorporates the Roland TB-303.
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