Electronic > UK Techno Electronic > Techno > German / Euro Techno > Detroit Techno > Warp > 1990 to 1999 > 5 GBP to 10 GBP

Advantages: Classic. Cult. A few good tracks.
Disadvantages: Weak compared to other Aphex Twin releases. Bland techno.

...major works, both in 1993: Surfing on Sine Waves and the Quoth Ep. Both of these are fresh but somewhat lacking works, typifying Richard's Analogue Bubblebath series (1990-91 to 1995) as well as his AFX-ish style; in other words, not his best work. Latter on, Richard would move onto more composite and genre-defying releases. But his Polygon Window era was a product of old school I.D.M-esque design; or more specifically, primitive techno. Surfing ...
...drums, solo-like and graceful. Surfing on Sine Waves is like a formative disorganized work, appearing bizarrely between two important releases: the two Selected Ambient Works albums. It does not seem to make any sense. But that's probably the basis of S.O.S.W's charm. It sounds like an insightful look at latter material, a sign of things to come; but it also features the same thumping and unnecessary technoid fabric that would spoil the latter ... Read review

Advantages: Techno at its purest
Disadvantages: Getting a bit dated now.

This could well be the album that got me into minimalist techno when I listened to it many years ago. I haven't gone on to become a great DJ, or even a DJ, but have continued to love beats. I'm not going to go into any individual tracks as the album works as a whole. I first got this as a tape copy and listened to it constantly up until a few years ago when I finally got a cd player in my car. One of the first things I did was to get it on cd. I ... Read review

Advantages: Ground breaking endlessly fascinating music for gazing out of windows to
Disadvantages: Not one for fans of heavy metal or people who only like songs with words etc.

...his best ever. Unlike Selected Ambient Works one, there are hardly any beats on this - and instead most of the tracks are a series of interesting trips through the echo chamber with some beautiful drones and tones to accompany you. Yet despite the minimalist nature of the sounds here, the production means that you rarely get bored of these sounds. Also because they are so distinctive, they haven't dated at all really. Evocative of Brian Eno's work ...
...progressions build a series of thumbnail sketches. The moods conjured range from euphoric and calming through to eerie, nocturnal and in one case downright terrifying. None of the tracks have titles and instead are represtned by picutres. Really though the need for titles is rendered meaningless by the lack of lyrics. Instead, just listen to the tracks and soak in the atmosphere. If I have one criticism of this album it's simply that it's not very ... Read review

Advantages: some great drum n bass moments
Disadvantages: not up to his usual standard?

...signee to his Rephlex label), Richard D. James' third major-label album as Aphex Twin was his first to work with jungle -- though, to his credit, he had released the breakbeat EP Hangable Auto Bulb almost a year earlier. Contemporaries Orbital and Underworld were beginning to incorporate moderate use of drum'n'bass in their work as well, but this album was more extreme than virtually all jungle being made at the time. The beats are jackhammer quick ...
...is a child-like ode that gradually deteriorates into a bizarre fantasy concerning the milkman's wife. With all the Aphex Twin's curious idiosyncracies, though, Richard D. James Album is a very listenable record and a worthy follow-up to I Care Because You Do. [The American issue features the English EP "Girl/Boy."] ... Read review

Advantages: Intelligent and inspirational.
Disadvantages: It's an aquired taste

...ambient, house, techno and others. I find that, unlike most 'dance' music, the Aphex Twin can be extremely emotional, even spiritual, shown here on tracks like 'Acrid Avid Jam Shred', 'Mookid' and (my favourite) 'Alberto Balsalm'. Richard is often recognised for writing 'odd' music, ignoring the fact that he writes excellent melodies. At times it can be abbrasive, particularly the single 'Ventolin', but it's never noise-for-the-sake-of-noise. It ... Read review