Electronic > Detroit Techno Electronic > German / Euro Techno > UK Techno > Warp

Richard D. James

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."] ...

philnewall 11.08.2002 · Read full review
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Review of Richard D. James - Aphex Twin

Still great classic ambient records

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 ...

treblekicker 11.08.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Selected Ambient Works Vol.2 - Aphex Twin

You probably wouldn't enjoy thisif you were on Druqks. Bad Trip ?

Advantages: Different, Interesting Listening
Disadvantages: Sets a fairly odd mood, Too much filler

Druqks is in my opinion not one of the best releases from Aphex. It is very minimal and experimental, and at least 70% of the album is dark, sinister out of tune piano noises and creepy ambient sounds that just make you feel a little uneasy. 2 CDs of it is a bit much. There are a couple of good tunes on there, with a similar creepy vibe but with some nice fast drums and cool glitchy noises. I'd probably reccomend this album to die hard aphex fans, ...
...other Aphex Twin albums are slightly more accessible to everyone. A fairly interesting listen, although the good tunes don't fully make up for the amount of tracks of creepy noise. Fairly original, but definately the kind of album you would listen to at home alone - certainly not a party starter. ...

anarchictomato 18.10.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Drukqs [PA] - Aphex Twin

Wax the nip

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 ...

eraserhead 23.12.2000 · Read full review
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Review of I Care Because You Do - Aphex Twin

A new and better direction for Andy Weatherall...

Advantages: Eclectic and ground-breaking
Disadvantages: Some complaints of dodgy vocals (I disagree)

...I was so pleasantly surprised. From the Double Gone Chapel is much darker than anything else of his I've heard but not in a teen-angst sort of way; It's more pensive. The opening track "Stack Up" actually brings to mind a moden day Frank Zappa in the way it experiments with sound and rhythm and the addition of guitar riffs on several of the other tracks really does it for me. Guitar-riffs? Don't panic electro lovers; there are plently of industrial ...
...have heard a few concerns from others regarding Weatherall's dodgy vocal talents but can reassure you that they are misplaced. The atmosphere created by his growls on the primarily vocal track "Punches and Knives" is perfect and chilling and on "Kamanda's Response" they complement the track superbly. All in all, I'd highly recommend this to anyone; old school lovers, techno lovers and indie lovers alike... ...

Jezebel1978 09.02.2008 · Read full review
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Review of From The Double Gone Chapel - Two Lone Swordsmen