Distinctive differences?

Ever since I started listening to Electronic Dance Music, I've been pondering on a really tough question.

"What's the difference between house and techno, and can the two be differentiated?"

Since the mid 90's, I've come up with an answer to the question almost once a year. And rejected the answer at least as many times. Because the question is really hard to define, and the answer as elusive as a Plastikman trance track.

The other day I read the comments to a mix on Soundcloud, where one user clearly stated that "[this track] can't be techno, because it has lyrics." He went on to label it as house instead.

But is there such an easy rule to be made?

Is this track house or techno?


Ambivalent - Rumors (out on Minus)

Or what about this one?


Plastikman - Ask Yourself (out on Minus)

OK, so both can be said to hail from one of the most progressive techno labels, but the question still remains. Is there a difference, and can it be described?

Sure, there was a time when such a clear line could be drawn, when house was a clear sound hailing from Chicago, and techno hailed from Detroit and had a gritty raw sound.


K. Alexi Shelby - All For Lee-Sah (out on Transmat)


Underground Resistance - Final Frontier (out on Underground Resistance)

But wait! If we go back to the beginning of techno - this is what it sounded like:


Audiotech - Techno City (out on Metroplex)


Channel One - Technicolor (out on Metroplex)

And that's not all. There was a few artists that crossed the boundaries between the genres even back then.


Inner City - Good Life (out on 10 Records)

So Kevin Saunderson (one of the original creators of techno) called this style "Tronik House", but it was clearly a techno derivative. And even though it was released on a Virgin sub label, it was too hard for most clubs to play.

So where is the truth? Is there any clear answer, or do I have to keep searching?

You tell me!