...
Under his exotic Polygon Window alias, he would release 2 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, ... Read review
For the second album in its ruefully short-lived Artificial Intelligence series, Warp ... more
Records commissioned a young Richard James (now better known as the Aphex Twin) to demonstrate not only the capabilities of his collection of homemade synthesizers bu...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
For the second album in its ruefully short-lived Artificial Intelligence series, Warp ... more
Records commissioned a young Richard James (now better known as the Aphex Twin) to demonstrate not only the capabilities of his collection of homemade synthesizers but of his uniquely warped mind as well. Surfing on Sine Waves provides an equal dose of both, a soundscape in which undulating synths compete for space with disjointed drum programming and awkward song structure. But somehow everything fits together. Smooth and tactile tracks like "Polygon Window", "Quixote", and "UT1 Dot" are balanced by opaque drum workouts like "Quoth" and "Supremacy II", finishing off with the delicate and sublime "Quino-Phec". Surfing... epitomises the sound James slowly abandoned in his later material--a smooth hybrid of Detroit's raw sensibilities with the European electronica that was its inspiration and the personal touch that can only come from a lonely, disturbed mind. --Matthew Corwine
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
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 ... ...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 ... more
Aphex Twin is one the most respected electronica artists ever. He has brought so much to the I.D.M, experimental and even musique concrète scene that it would be fair to consider placing the "-master" suffix in front of his name, Richard D. James.
Polygon Window was Aphex Twin's nickname back in 1993; you can add Power Pill (1992), Caustic Window (1992-93-97-98) and AFX (1990-91-95-97-2000-03-05) to the patchy lists of self-appointed names. Under his exotic Polygon Window alias, he would release 2 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 on Sine Waves does however contain some very nice material, as well as being a huge classic. It can be seen as a minor (but important) bridge between Selected Ambient Works 85-92 and Selected Ambient Works vol. 2.
The drab short-budget Yamaha feel to the opening track, Polygon Window, has a mysterious charm to it. That being said, it does not go anywhere it isn't supposed to, strictly tied to a 4/4 loop of tedious design. Still, Polygon Window manages to capture Richard's sound at it's most basic; an interesting atmospheric track, purely ambient in nature. It is while casting backdrop drones that Aphex Twin sheds light on his own peculiar index of sounds, pointing in the direction of his previous 1992 album; the only difference being that Selected Ambient Works 85-92 (Warp Records) is a far better release.
Audax Powder is a killer track, one of the best; a wavering of maniac trance vibes echoing over a sea of plutonium-soaked acid-bathed drum sequences. Although the time signatures are depressingly banal, Twin's intend is to submerge us into old school electronica territory. Audax Powder is the most evocative track on S.O.S.W and demonstrates Richard's sheer understanding of the genre. Really neat.
Quoth is similar to tracks that Aphex Twin would release on the latter Classics album in 1995. I do not like this track. It plays like a long forgotten techno mix-tape, shameless in it's simplicity. It is nothing more than replication of subterranean gabber beats. Bland. If it Really is Me, 4th track, relies upon the same principle. It is built upon a techno thump, cheesy disco-like claps, a few piano lines and a couple of lukewarm pads. Uninteresting.
Supremacy 2 is hard to evaluate; divisive in it's make-up. It features springboard-ish bleeping in contrast to a huge dusty 4/4 hammering. This fluctuates into various patterns of 4/4, all rather bland. The thing is, there is just some kind of odd charm about this track; the true conservative Aphex Twin fan will most certainly notice this.
UT1-dot is a deformed techno track. The great thing about UT1-dot is it's use of backdrop drones and moonlight-like undulations. A nice track if you can forget the techno front position, and concentrate on these digital midnight ballads. The seventh track does not have a title. It is like a continuation upon the UT1-dot concept; interesting background in contrast with horrendous forefront techno.
Quixote is a 6-minute piece in which Aphex seems to twist a dreamlike pleasantness into a bent out of shape nightmare. The only problem is the terrible use of soft-gabber 4/4 lines; intrusive and rather dull.
Portreath Harbour, on the other hand, is an excellent piece. A kind of hip-hop and electric bell collage. It sounds very similar to latter Aphex Twin material. Redruth School is a very short track of very much the same stuff. This time though, you will be able to hear an extremely strong dark ambient style, a premature and introductive track to Richard's Selected Ambient Works vol. 2 album (Warp Records, 1994). The last track, Quino-phec, is even closer to Selected Ambient Works vol.2, as it consists of a couple of harmonies dancing together, without beats or 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 Classics (Warp Records, 1995).
However you chose to look at it... ...S.O.S.W still is a classic.
*
(Written by myself - no violation, no lifting, no breach of copyright)
gantzgraf 18.08.2006 (18.08.2006)
Ciao members have rated this review on average:
very helpful
Review of Surfing On Sine Waves [Remastered] - Polygon Window
Product Information for "Surfing On Sine Waves [Remastered] - Polygon Window" »
Product details
Title
Surfing On Sine Waves [Remastered]
Performer
Polygon Window
Genre
Electronic
Sub Genre
Techno
Release Date
04/1996
Original Release Year
1993
Label / Distributor
Warp / PIAS UK/Sony DADC
Engineer
Richard D. James
Producer
Richard D. James
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
5021603070028
Catalogue Number
WARPCD 7
Titles on disc 1
1.
Polygon Window
2.
Audax Powder
3.
Quoth
4.
If It Really Is Me
5.
Supremacy II
6.
Ut1 Dot
7.
0.07
8.
Quixote
9.
Quino Phec
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since
18/08/2006
Additional notes
Album Notes
Polygon Window: Richard D. James (programming). Recorded at Llanerlog Studios, Cornwall, England. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Hiding behind the Polygon Window is none other than the Aphex Twin himself, Richard D. James. SURFING was among the first of James' records to surface and, as another mathe-magical feat of exquisite melodic proportions and rhythmic contortions, it reinforced the statement of the pivotal ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE compilation. James' later output can be willfully difficult, but the surprisingly friendly SURFING stands as one of the most enduring (and endearing) of the post-AI works. Perhaps James intended Polygon Window as a less antagonistic alter ego for his abrasive Caustic Window persona. "Quoth" stomps and snorts like a bucking bronco, thrashing through a series of metallic rhythm loops, but the music is less intimidating than it is fascinating. James concentrates on melodic exposition rather than rhythmic complexity, filling such tracks as "Polygon Window," "If It Really Is Me," and "Quixote" with tuneful turns and brooding contrapuntal inventions. Not that the programming isn't as devilishly clever as ever. But much of SURFING bypasses James' abstruse percussive tangles for more conventional techno-grounded beats, aping the build-up-and-release tactic of high-NRG dance fare. "Audax Powder" even echoes The KLF's "What Time Is Love?" but warps the familiar chords into something strange and Aphex-esque.
Compare Surfing On Sine Waves [Remastered] - Polygon Window to other similar Electronic »
Similar products and search queries by other users »
Surfing Polygon, Surfing On Polygon, Surfing Sine Polygon, Surfing Waves Polygon, Surfing Remastered Polygon, Surfing On Sine Polygon, Surfing On Waves Polygon, Surfing On Remastered Polygon, Surfing Sine Waves Polygon, Surfing Sine Remastered Polygon, Surfing Waves Remastered Polygon, Surfing On Sine Waves Polygon, Surfing On Sine Remastered Polygon, Surfing On Waves Remastered Polygon, Surfing Sine Waves Remastered Polygon
Are you the manufacturer / provider of Surfing On Sine Waves [Remastered] - Polygon Window? Click here