MTV’s Amp

It’s not an understatement to say that this video changed my life. Flipping past MTV one night, I saw this crude, simple video providing images for crude and simple music. I was hooked.
Try to imagine this slotted between two Microsoft Windows 3.0 starfield screensavers. That was “Amp” in a nutshell—moments of unrelenting boredom (the worst kind of stereotypes about dance music) mixed with, you know, samurai’s fighting in the snow to abstract drum ‘n’ bass.
It took me about five years after the fact to really understand who Carl Craig was, but I distinctly remember going out and buying More Songs About Food and Revolutionary Art as soon as my Mom would drive me to the local record shop. (Thanks, Mom. You’re the best.) I wasn’t sure that I liked it, mind you. But I was sure that I’d never heard anything like it before.
I include this video only to remind myself of all of the clips that I had to fast-forward through on my VHS tapes (the lo-fi Tivo!) to get to the good stuff. It literally seemed like they would show this one every other show. Looking at it now—and understanding why they might air this show at 4 AM on a Saturday morning—I can see its appeal, but it still ain’t for me.
I will still go to bat for Risotto. It’s one of the top five electronic full-lengths of the ‘90s in my view—and it’s one that I never hear anyone talk about anymore. After revisiting this video, I can generally understand why.
Another one of those videos that did nothing for me, aside from tipping me off to an absolutely amazing genre of music that I never knew existed. When I found out that there were more than fifteen more minutes to this song, I thought I had died and gone to heaven.
This video singlehandedly made me rep for Ninja Tune at least three years longer than I, in retrospect, should have. If you’re into this, be sure to check out “Natural Rhythm.”
I remember this clip being profoundly disturbing at the time. It might have been the guy shaving the hair around his nipples.
Like most, this video meant little outside of the tip to go out and buy this disc immediately. Check for Dan the Automator on the keys.
Before Burial, FSOL was the group mapping out the decaying framework of a city. “We Have Explosive” was their anthem.
I honestly have no recollection of ever seeing this video, but a website devoted to listing every video AMP aired claims that it was shown. I think if you watch for at least one minute you’ll understand why I decided to include it.

By: Todd Burns Published on: 2007-02-09 Comments (3) |