User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
Close to the Noise Floor: Formative UK Electronica 1975-1984 [Box Set] Image
Metascore
89

Universal acclaim - based on 6 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Awaiting 1 more rating

  • Summary: The four-disc box set features 61 early electronica tracks from such artists as Blancmange, the Human League, Legendary Pink Dots, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, and Throbbing Gristle.
Buy Now
Buy on
  • Record Label: Cherry Red
  • Genre(s): Electronic, Pop/Rock, Experimental Electronic, Synth Pop, Post-Punk, Obscuro
  • More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. May 4, 2016
    90
    Close to the Noise Floor: Formative UK Electronica 1975-1984 collects four discs of the alternately thrilling, grim, silly, and just plain bizarre stuff.
  2. May 4, 2016
    90
    Released through Cherry Red Records, and coupled with a gorgeous book of notes and commentary from Henderson, the compilation reminds listeners of the importance of an “exciting”, “shambolic” period, one in which today’s music was born.
  3. May 4, 2016
    81
    Despite the omission of obvious classics like “Warm Leatherette” or Fad Gadget’s “Ricky’s Hand” (presumably because the Mute label archive was off-limits to the compiler) Close To the Noise Floor provides a fascinating overview of the formative years of British home-studio electronica: groups who were precursors in spirit, if not direct lineage, to the techno and IDM artists of the ’90s. Still, with the cult for “minimal wave” now a decade old, it almost feels like another task has become urgent: the rediscovery of the groups that did the groundwork for the outfits on Disc 3 of Noise Floor.
  4. 80
    Close To The Noise Floor covers the full spectrum from sublime to ridiculous, but the sheer range of sonic innovation, warped beauty and dark humour here is hugely impressive.
  5. May 4, 2016
    80
    It’s by no means intended as a “greatest hits” package--you may rue the absence of ringers such as Warm Leatherette or Do The Mussolini (Headkick) – but as a snapshot, you can’t fault its clarity.
  6. Mojo
    Jun 10, 2016
    80
    This compelling, enlightening aural history gives [lesser-known artists] a worthy platform. [Jun 2016, p.102]
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 1 out of 1
  1. Jul 11, 2016
    1
    Even though I like electronic, alternative and indie music, I personally did not find it enjoyable to listen. Very few tracks were OK at most,Even though I like electronic, alternative and indie music, I personally did not find it enjoyable to listen. Very few tracks were OK at most, but the rest are way below that.
    Otherwise just got one more proof how detached from the real life critics reviews are at metacritic, or do they just collect only the ones with highest rate, on purpose? Cannot imagine regular listener who would give 90 to this compilation.
    Expand