Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works Volume II

Absolutely fantastic, even the more upbeat calm tracks have a haunting quality to them. Throw your headphones on, be ready to think. All the songs have such great textural quality in addition to their fantastic melodies. Recommended to the fullest degree. The black pressing (this release) as mentioned above has a far greater overall sound quality. In addition, the packaging and inside jacket images add a nice aesthetic touch, a visual addition to the sounds you'll be hearing. Enjoy.

This is in my opinion the best ambient album ever made by a human being (if we can consider Richard D. James to be a human being)and surely a milestone in the history of ambient music. Every single piece of music on this lovely black wax is a masterpiece on it’s own. It’s difficult or even impossible to pick out one track that stands out as they all tell a different story. Richard D. James switches without any problem from melancholic or mystical moods to deep, dark and even menacing slices of ambient.

I think I’ve already listened to this album a billion times and it still sends shivers down my spine, even more than 10 years after it’s release. Whatever my mood is, I can always enjoy this breathtaking ambient trip. I used to have times in the past were I was deeply depressed and where this album totally took me with into my most horrifying thoughts, nevertheless I’ve never wanted to ban this musical epic out of my life, whatever my memories or moods to this album were. I just want to say that I experienced the most diverse moods on this album.

So be aware, if you’re a real ambient freak and you live in a rich world of fantasy, this album can seriously drag you along with your moods and thoughts, whatever they may be. This album is a world or universe on it’s own. An absolutely astonishing, essential and brilliant piece of musical art. Timeless...

It is true that the "regular" black edition does sound better, having said that - this album is a true ambient staple. What we have here is personally one of my favourite releases from Mr. Richard D. James (Aphex Twin).

This wonderfully crafted album has a mood all of its own, a shape shifting creation that slowly crawls through your imagination. This album has been my good friend on many late nights in the dark.

There are no actual track names (you can find ones given to them on the internet though, which are generally accepted), there are however pictures taken by none other than the artist himself, that correspond through pie charts to the tracks.

In a supposed interview he mentioned that he wrote some or all of these tracks while in a dream like state or "lucid dreaming" where one is in control of their dream world. If this is true I do not fully know, but it sure sounds like it from listening to the album.

These tracks are mesmerizing, and create their own worlds for you to enjoy. Dark, brooding, hypnotic, this is a real gem for ambient fans. Cherish this one!

Although the brown vinyl issue is so-called limited (10.000 copies, right) this black-wax edition is much scarcer. Warp actually pressed less than the limited edition. Now u finally know why u rarely see a black one for sale. If u get the chance to grab this "standard" edition don't hesitate as the quality of sound is so much better. If it wasn't that the brown album also had a different sleeve (black and white instead of brown) I would have sold that one ages ago since the vinyl reproduces disturbing noise throughout.