i reckon the album computer world by kraftewerk has got to be my favourite avant garde techno record
and as for more current stuff plastikman / hardfloor and jeff mills have to be the most life changing along with a few early acid techno tracks which did really change my life.

bit naff this discusion though isn't it?

i like buttmans answer hahaha

i'll define techno for you if you want buttman

it goes
boom boom boom boom boom tss tss tss tss boom boom boom (generally)
my grandad said once that it sounded like people bangign dustbin lids together
how right he was.