Electronic > UK Techno Electronic > Warp

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: 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: 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

Advantages: Some very familiar tracks, great mixes
Disadvantages: There are none, honest

This was in fact the first 'Fierce Angel' CD that i had. I picked it up whilst away in the balaeric island of Ibiza, and have never put it down since. It goes everywhere with me, and im still loving it as much as the first time i heard it! Mark Doyle, creator of Hed Kandi has created an amazing label, and personally i think this has to be the best CD yet. Starting off slowly, gradually getting you in to an uplifting mood, this CD is an absoloute ...
...be track number one 'The Wamdue Project - Forgiveness'. Listening to this CD just reminds me of the time i spent in Ibiza in the Summer of 2008. I'd give this album excellent for everything... Absoloute Class! A DEFINATE MUST HAVE... i wish more people could know about it. ... Read review