Aphex Twins

If there's any producer in electronic music that you must listen to at least once in your life, it is Aphex Twin. His releases aren't really trying to accomplish anything - like entrance or uplift - rather, it's simply good music to listen to and enjoy. His music is skilfully produced, with no filler, just pure rhythmic and melodic flow throughout. His appeal is to listeners of all types of music, because anyone can enjoy it. In many regards it is like classical because its designed elaborately and neutrally, and everyone can appreciate it.

My personal favorite is Digeridoo because of its dark vibe, but his other releases, such as the ambient Xtal, or the "IDM" Windowlicker, are just as great.

Ok, rather than comment on every Analord release, I figured I'd just write my overall thoughts here. The opinions on these have been all over the map, and to tell you the truth it's hard to know what to think.

But first, are they good? Hell yes, they're great. Squelchy electro/acid/house grooves spread over 11 slabs of vinyl, which total about 3 hours of RDJ listening pleasure. Is it the best RDJ material yet? Well for me and probably alot of others, no(although it is up there!!). It just depends on which type of James music you prefer. Do you like the ultra tweaked and programmed computer style(RDJ album, Drukqs) or the more laid back analogue style(Analogue Bubblebath, Polygon Window, SAW). If you chose the latter, then the Analord series is definitely for you. Take these tracks for instance: Steppingfilter 101, Phonatacid, Bwoon dub, Boxing day, Klopjob, (all of Analord 4 and 5). Man I could name the rest, but that right there is enough to make an album worthy of your collection. Those tracks are simply the beginning. Yes I will admit some of it isn't the most amazing music I've ever heard, but 99% of the tracks are better than most artists best tracks. So, if you like the earlier analogue RDJ material you should definitely pick these lps up.

Now, if you prefer the more advanced crazy programmed stuff, maybe you won't find as much enjoyment in these records as I have. Perhaps you should wait for the Chosen Lords cd to come out and see if you like what you hear, then pick the rest up based on your favorites.

Finally, I don't really care if people like them or not. I happen to think some of these tracks ARE the best stuff he's done, and I give a HUGE amount of credit to Mr. James for releasing them. Thanks AFX!!!!

You can't go wrong with Richard. Don't be surprised by the hype, the extremely expensive limited edition LPs sold on eBay. The guy has a way of really throwing it all together. It's purely intelligent dance music, although it's not always meant to dance to. It'sdynamic and evocative and yet a bit tongue-in-cheek. Throughout his music is at least a latent (and often compelling) acid and/or ambient motif, but by no means can you call the body of work "consistent."

There's a special place in my heart for Richard D. James Album, Hangable Auto Bulb, Analord, Pac-Man, Surfing On Sine Waves, Selected Ambient Works (both of them), Come To Daddy, and every single Joyrex.

One of the best moments of my life was DJ'ing and throwing on Ventolin, hearing that god awful tone exploding out of the speakers; then that chunky, heavy beat comes on-- the dance floor erupts.

Richard D James has always been able to create great melodies and harmonies. His music is never plain or boring, it's always creative and very expressive. Especially his ambient works are loved by people regardless what other type of music they're into. He is the great music maker and dreamer of dreams.

Rich is a superb musician. While his style and recording alias often varies, most of his material is excellent. Needless to say, he's recorded under many different aliases, and nearly all of them have a song worth listening to. Aphex Twin has many well-known tunes, like Come to Daddy, Windowlicker and Milkman. Almost all of AFX's EPs are excellent. Bradley Strider's two EPs are somewhat lackluster, but the A-side of Bradley's Beat is a good dance track. Power-Pill has the 5-track Pac-Man EP, which is a great listen regardless of whether or not you like the game. The GAK EP is very minimalist and simplistic, but worth a listen anyway.

All in all, you'd be hard-pressed to find a bad RDJ song, under any alias. If you're looking to get started, I recommend the Come to Daddy EP, or maybe one of the Analord EPs. Both showcase RDJ at his finest, although the style between both is different.

I love RDJ, he is without a doubt my favorite Electronic Artist, and is probably the most innovative Electronic artist of his generation. I just can't wait to see what he does next. The return to Acid(Analords) after a four year withdrawal from the industry (baring the mediocre Smojphace EP) was a nice move in some regards, but I really don't want to wait another 4 years for more re-hashing of material. Don’t get me wrong, it was good rehashing... but rehashing none the less.

I really hope his next Album really brings back his old innovativeness from his hay day, and is completely different and off the wall.

Aphex Twin simultaneously transcends modern music and expresses the emotional and intellectual complexity of the human experience in modern times. He, undoubtedly, is one of the greatest musicians of all time.

Unlike most music which change tempo and you can see it coming a mile away with -subtle- introductions, this is pretty amazing, you'll be like "whoa how did that change !" but it's not coarse at all. It may be polished but it seems inspirational, instinctive rather than showing off.

To fully appreciate Aphex Twin you have to park your musical memories and preconceptions at the door. The output is prolific and variable - i like some better than others. When he's on form and I'm able to REALLY listen (excuse caps.) he's completely mind blowing in the best possible way.

I alwyas feel that the best musicians don't know how good they are because they can't hear their stuff freshly like we can without thinking how they would have done it better etc. This is real modern music of the highest order - shame my friends don't like it.

I've been a long time fan of most of Aphex Twin's musical output and I recently had the opportunity to see him DJ at The Glade Festival, here in the UK, under his AFX moniker.

I have to say that I was blown away by his set, he is not only a technically excellent mixer but his set structure was impeccable, encompassing many styles: hiphop, early '90s hardcore and Belgian techno, drum & bass, pounding techno, ambient, IDM, gabber & more. All expertly crafted together to create a real musical journey.

After seeing that sort of thought and effort put into a set it makes you really re-evaluate the DJs you usually see play out. I only wish his set had been 3 hours instead of 2! I am looking forward immensely to seeing him DJ again