AFX* – Chosen Lords

An interesting mix from the Analord series. Lots of people I've talk to are not happy with the tracks RDJ picked for this compilation. Where's the first and second record selections that help make the series as popular as it is? In any event, I do like the comp with the two Aphex Twin tracks opening and closing the disc overall. If you liked Richards project "Polygon Window" this series comp is a good pick for you and it also works as a great intro for someone new to AFX. But again, not totally happy with the track selections either.

I absolutely loved "Crying In Your Face" and "PWSteal.Ldpinch.D", but for some reason many of the tracks failed to move me. Don't get me wrong most were great, just not amazing. If this was the first time I had ever heard RDJ I'm not sure I'd buy the disc. However I am an RDJ fan so I think I'll download the entire Analord series and give it another go.

This will sound contentious, but I like the Analord series the most of James' recent work. I like how the use of old gear imposes some limitations and how one can become inspired within that context to really push the gear. True Chosen Lords doesn't display the best compositions however it does afford the casual listener a glimpse into the Analord sound aesthetic.

alot of talk about the track selection, but i agree with the songs selected. of course, that coming from a person who eagerly ordered every 12" when it came out to ensure i would have the whole lot. the whole point of this was really about the 12" and giving those of us who still have record players in our house a chance to use them (no, im not talking about "DJ's" here, but normal folk who are not obsessed with finding the next bangin track, but rather just like listening to records at home). i have a minidisc player too, so of course it was only a matter of time before copies of all the records made it onto my ipod, however, they sound liek crap compared to laying down the wax at home. when the cd came out i too was a little surprised that nothing from vol. one or two made it, but considering vol. 2 is pretty much the best one, and also considering that it really sounds the best crankin out of a good home stereo, and not computer speakers in a persons office, this actually makes a twisted kind of sense to me.

ps: they were doing a whole catalouge re-press of basic channel at the time that these were coming out, man did that ever make for some happy trips to the post office!!!

Its a really great simple work. Although im not familiar with Acid to know that this is not ground breaking, it doesn't really matter, good tunes are good tunes, no matter how innovative or plain they might be. The analord series is just another testement to james amazing work with Synths. He's the only one ive heard to this day to actually make them sound like a full fledged orchestra(I care because you do and Surfing on Sine waves).

Also great for your Ipod/MP3 player. It's some of his only music you can just listen to, but not really listen to, talk to people, and just do normal stuff with it in the backround. obviously you can't do that with his Braindance works. Shows a different side of him.

Early retirement ... I think not.

"I'm self employed" and "VBS.Redlof.B" are my 2 favourite tracks from the entire Analord series, and are criminally missed off Chosen Lords (also possibly including the heavily underrated and frighteningly beautiful "Phonatacid" from Analord 02).

But then again, part of the point of the Analord series revolves around its desirability and collectability - so why give away all its juicy morsels to those who don't invest in the original Vinyl..

It's a good album, but again, track choices really did stump me here. I miss Where's Your Girlfriend, VBS.Redlof, I'm Self Employed, and I don't feel that the whole of Analord 5 is essential. Reunion could have surely been taken out. Also what gets me is how there are only 10 tracks to the CD, but 11 Analords. 11 tracks would have been better to pick the best track from every Analord.

Finally a CD by Richard D. James i can really enjoy. He makes it difficult for me though by placing the queer Fenix 5 Funk at the start of this CD. I can listen to this Track on my Mac on iTunes easily, but when i hear this over my PA i have a real bad 2 minutes untill i get aquainted with this very unique sound design. It is always a 50/50 chance i skip out this CD and listen to something else or get in the mood and listen to this archaic melodies and soundsof strange machines from an ancient past.... What makes the choice of Fenix Funk 5 as the Entrance Tunes so ridiculous are the many mellow and beautiful songs that are following. No more arsh noises for my ears, only excellent sounds, that always succeed to surprise me when i listen carefully to the way the trax are built. But most of the time i just forget about all that and loose myself in the beauty of the melodies or the bubbling sounds from the machines and grooove along to some Bongo/Tabla sounds - all probably coming out of huge analog machines with thousands of knobs, many lines that get connected in a million different ways
This guy from Cornwall lives in another world it seems. This CD sounds absoutely like nothing else in the world and that is great !
Some people aren't happy with the collection AFX made for this very CD. The only pont of critique i have is that the CD is indeed pretty short = 56 minutes - a mere 10 Trax would have left enough room for some other tunes from this series, but he sticked to the most beautiful melodic tunes as i can guess from reading the comments to this series. i took the pleasure to import this CD to iTunes and connected the pictures of each 12" that got picked for this CD to every Track. and i am astonisged , that are nearly all Analords chosen besides Analords 1 and Analords 2 ! Right now i hear the arguably nicest Tune of them all "Boxing Day" (Analord 03 A1), which is only surpassed by the sad beauty and urgency of "Crying In Your Face" (Analord 04 A1).
ESENTIAL AFX... Better than ever or as great as 1990, whatever you prefer !