As for me, it's the early 90's.
See, 80's is the time of new wave and "techno-pop" (nothing related to Electronic Music; "techno-pop" is those things performed by A-Ha or Duran-Duran). There are a lot of my favorite performers during that time, like Dead of Alive, Alphaville, Pet Shop Boys, and Human League. I was still in elementary school during that time. It seems my love for synthesized, electronic instruments started really early in my life!
As the 80's was reaching it ends, a music genre called "Synth Pop" rose to prominence. The synthesizer was still the primary instrument, but the 4/4 house beats is getting more dominant. Examples are 'Locomotion' by Kylie Minogue, 'When You Come Back To Me' by Jason Donovan, and 'Together Forever' by Rick Astley.
Alas, the popularity of 4/4 beats was soon reaching it ends. It started by the popularity of Mili Vanili in 1998, the suddenly hip-hop rythm became popular. The dominance of such beats were getting more prominent when New Kids on the Block rose to popularity.
Suddenly everything changed. 4/4 rhytm and sythesized instruments which heavily defined "mainstream pop" was replaced by hip-hop ryhtm and rappin' lyrics. Everyone's also crazy about rap at that time: from reggae variants like Poppa' Ron Love tunes to "romantic rap" like Perfect Gentlemen's 'Oh-La-La'. Also, it's pretty common to find "mainstream pop" tunes which has some degree of rap in their melody.
Then what happens to synth-pop artists? They were falling one by one. Suddenly their tunes became old. Many synth-pop performers were losing popularity during the early 90s. In fact, nobody listen to Jason Donovan anymore at 1992, for instance. Rick Astley tried to "change direction" with his song 'Cry For Help' at 1991 (he even changed his "synth-pop" looks!), but alas, he too, were falling from grace.
The most successful survivor from the "hip-hop slaughter" is probably Kylie Minogue. She quickly adapted, by moving to slow, romantic tunes like 'If You Were With Me Now'; trying to mingle-in with romantic performers like Mariah Carey or Peabo Bryson. She was also rather successful with 'Confide in Me' at 1994, which freeing herself from "synth-pop association" she had before.
These days, when rave culture and house music becomes popular (but I have listened to 'Two Unlimited' way back at 1992. Pfft, eat that, young ravers! I'm an old-schooler ), Kylie is back with 4/4 house tunes like 'Spinning Around' and 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head'. And yes, I'm still a big fan of Kylie today.
I also make a note about an unfortunate sap on that era: Tommy Page. His 'Shoulder to Cry On' was a big hit on that time, followed by 'I'll Be Your Everything'. Too bad, he (or his producer) failed to notice that the wind had changed. See, most of Tommy Page's tunes are 4/4 synth-pops. Most of them are even "out-of-date", Alphaville-ish "techno-pops" like 'Zillion Kisses', 'African Sunset' (sure it has "rap" lyrics but the rythm is clearly 4/4), and 'Turning Me On'. Poor, poor Tommy! He started his career at 1989 with synth-pop image, brandishing synth-pop trademark, while less than two years later everyone was crazy about hip-hop! That's too bad because I like most of his tunes. Had he came earlier his career wouldn't ended that soon.
Well, early 90s is the most memorable musical period for me. I always love synthesized instruments, and I really hated it when hip-hop was gaining the throne as the standard beat for mainstream pop. Ah, but all the good things must come to an end, doesn't it?
:thumbsup
he's still alive.. well damn.. thats up in the same league as Bob Geldof for longest living corpse...
Don't play too many FPS. Like Ace said, I have "gaming racism" against FPS and RTS.
