#24 of 25
· Cratewise Editorial
“1968. A homemade oscillator built from telegraph equipment and a drum kit. They invented electronic rock before synthesizers existed. The future, built from the past's junk drawer. Jackpot Records, under $25.”
Silver Apples is an electronic music duo consisting of Simeon Coxe and Danny Taylor, formed in New York in 1969. Pioneering the use of synthesizers and oscillators in popular music, they created some of the earliest electronic rock and experimental pop recordings. Their debut self-titled album (1968) and follow-up 'Contact' (1971) featured handmade synthesizers and innovative sound design that predated the widespread adoption of Moog synthesizers in mainstream music. After disbanding in the 1970s, they reunited in 2005 and have continued recording and performing, releasing albums like 'The Gist' (2007) and 'Clinging to the Edge of Tomorrow' (2020), introducing their unique electronic vision to new generations of listeners.
Style
Silver Apples creates minimalist, hypnotic electronic music characterized by oscillating synthesizers, drone elements, and unconventional song structures. Their sound blends experimental electronic composition with accessible melodic elements, creating an otherworldly yet oddly beautiful sonic palette.
Significance
Silver Apples are recognized as electronic music pioneers whose work influenced countless synth-based artists and experimental musicians. Their early vinyl releases are highly sought after by collectors interested in the origins of electronic music and pre-synthesizer synthesis, making them essential documents of early electronic rock innovation.
Silver Apples' 1968 self-titled debut was a groundbreaking electronic work created by Simeon Coxe and Danny Taylor using custom-built oscillators and synthesizers. Recorded in a New York loft, the album featured Coxe's pioneering synthesis techniques combined with Taylor's live drumming, creating a unique blend of electronic and organic sounds. The duo constructed their own instruments, including a theremin-like device and oscillator banks, giving the album its distinctive sci-fi aesthetic. Despite limited resources and the unconventional approach, they captured a sound that was years ahead of its time, influencing early electronic and krautrock movements.
Historical Context
Released in 1968 during the height of psychedelic experimentation, Silver Apples arrived as electronic music was still largely confined to academic institutions and film soundtracks. The album was largely overlooked upon release, overshadowed by more accessible psychedelic rock acts. However, it has since been recognized as a crucial precursor to synth-pop, industrial, and electronic music genres. The album's influence grew substantially through the 1970s and 1980s, earning cult status among electronic music enthusiasts and being rediscovered by new generations of musicians and collectors.
Pressing Notes
The original 1968 release on the Folkways label is highly sought after by collectors, though original pressings are scarce and costly. Several reissues have been issued over the decades, including quality vinyl reissues from labels like Sundazed and BE WITH Records, which have made the album more accessible. Collectors should note that early Folkways pressings vary in sound quality and condition. Modern reissues typically offer superior audio clarity while maintaining the album's distinctive character. Any edition is recommended for serious listeners, though original pressings remain the ultimate goal for vinyl completists willing to invest.
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