Aphex Twin - Drukqs

sharptone, Oct 19, 2005

It seems like Aphex Twins last proper album (not including 26 remixes) for Warp split fans down the middle. A lot of people criticised the album for its lack of consistency - including both furious drillnbass numbers alongside light & dark prepared piano pieces. cunfused a lot of people. Many said the work was outdated or that it was James idea to releases a poor album so that Warp would have no hesitation in splitting with him.
WRONG! This is Aphexs finest album (although I dont include SAW2 cause its too different to compare). In my opinion it certainly seperates the part-timers from those who are prepared to put the time and effort in to get to know an albums intricacies.
Firstly, its quite differnt to his previous RDJ & ICBYD. They were great albums but quite a raw sound. Here, the production is better, crisper and the edits tighter.
I think the comment s about this being some sort of severence tool with Warp and/or an Album that Richard cared little about is bollocks.
Theres 2 basic styles on here for starters, two CDs and hes gone to the trouble of learning about a complely new tool - the prepared piano (been discussed elsewhere) as well as the fact that hes gone to the trouble of getting it cut really well (even better for the ltd edition!) - doesnt sound like someone who doesnt give a shit does it.
The album is vast and complex. On the one hand youve got the instrumental pieces partly done with the piano, although unlike anything you will have heard by Aphex previously:
The album starts with a great track Jynweythek - very nostalgia inducing, later on the track Gwely Mernans is reminiscent of SAW2 and some such as Avril 14th are genuinely uplifting. One of the most interesting is Gwarek2. Probably the scariest tune hes ever done. It doesnt just sound like a horror soundtrack it actually sounds like the film itself. Its actually got a recording of a woman that sounds like shes being tortured. I wouldnt recommend listening to it in a K-hole, put it like that!
The rest of the album are the proper songs. They kind of sound like Analord only on 45 and better! The beauty of buying the vinyl is that you can listen to them on both speeds - definately what was intended (just listen to them and youll know what I mean) whaich means you get an absolutley HUGE and original album for your money.
The only bad thing is the box is way to big for the vinyl, but its not exactly a deal-breaker!

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