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

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... ... Read review

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: 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: A good starting point for AFX
Disadvantages: Not as cutting edge as his previous work.

Richard D. James, or Aphex Twin, or AFX, or Polygon Window, or whatever he feels like calling himself has always, since the release of Selected Ambient Works 85-92, been regarded as the bees bollocks as far as IDM (intelligent dance music, a genre AFX has scoffed at in the past) is concerned. And this is not unjustified. His 'ambient' stuff, although rather dated now, is still great to listen to as something chilled and impressive. He's been fantastically ...
...Windowlicker EP he included a picture of his face in the music. And by this I mean if you pass the music through a spectrum analyser then a spooker picture of James will bee seen. It's this 'how the hell did he do that?' attitude linked with the quality of the vast body of his work, that proceeds this release. Unfortunately this work does not really, as a whole, seem anything majorly new - just treading water. There are moments of greatness, however, ... 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