If you ask me, Hell Interface did track B1 on mask500 (The Midas Touch cover being B3--the 3rd track of that same side), as track B1 has all the earmarks of a BoC track. Especially considering that it has much in common with what is generally regarded as the BoC track on mask200, particularly the style and sound of the distorted percussion (another example of this is the B side of the BoC "Aquarius" 7" on skam), the use of children's voices, and the trademark floating and wobbly synths.

In contrast, the Midas Touch remake has little in common with any of the BoC catalog. Of course i wouldn't put it past the conspirators of the mask series to try and confuse us by sounding like each other, so who knows.

I agree that the original is better in some ways. The Mask500 version is still awesome IMO, mostly because the original version is such good material to work with, and the remake doesn't tamper with it too much. I actually like the melancholy of the remake.

Anyway, this is one of my all time favorite records, and I'm surprised it isn't played out more!

this is one of those bands in the mid 90's who tried to integrate electronics with guitars and stuff. i remember thinking when i bought this cd (in '95?), "well this sounds really cheesy in alot of ways but for some reason i like it".

i think they're one of those bands that obviously has (technical? raw?) musical intelligence, yet many people (myself included) find them kinda cheesy... but at the same time seductive. plus, it was an apollo release with nice packaging (the gray cd slides into a white embossed cardboard sleeve), so it's pretty cool.

"shut up" (i think... the mix without vocals) is my fave here... simple but with good funk...

mc900ftjesus is pretty dated in alot of ways IMO, but this track is really fresh. every time i play it out people are saying 'hey what's that track???" honestly i'm not much into this artist, but this track i LOVE.

the pictures provided here are only of the front and back of the inner cd sleeve--the outer sleeve is not pictured here (as of 12/2003).

the inner sleeve is itself wrapped in a folded cardboard outer sleeve (basically a tri-fold type of sleeve) which is held shut with velcro tabs. the inside of this sleeve is a panaramic of slick 3d graphics, with a glossy finish, while the outside of the sleeve is a tougher laminate type of finish to protect the cardboard. "FSOL ISDN" is embossed in large letters across the center of the front cover, with a sticker affixed along the top indicating "a limited edition of 10,000 copies".

by today's standards, this release will probably seem very cheesy and dated to many listeners. it's worth checking out if you haven't ever heard it: this was an important release for FSOL, and FSOL were very influential artists at that time (early 90's). to understand where "electronic listening music" (or ambient, or idm) is today, one needs to be familiar with the work of FSOL.

the last 3 tracks are exclusive to this limited edition of artificial intelligence II. (they are not released elsewhere, nor are they on the regular version of "artificial intelligence II".)

darrel fitton is bola, and this is the first bola track i ever heard. (his first release maybe?) i remember it being exemplary of the bleepy ambient chill-out music of the time, and it remains my all-time favorite bola track. the dated '94 feel of it is something i really like.

polygon window of course is aphex. this is a weird track, presumably made of teapot sounds (though i can't figure what sort of teapot sounds they could be). it's an interesting and original track--but not danceable at all.

this release is essential for the aphex or bola collector, as well as any collector who wants to own one of the most important records in the history of "electronic listening music" or "intelligent techno" (later renamed IDM--i would like to know by whom). if you're lucky, you can find a copy of the limited version of this 2xcd in a record store at a reasonable price, because often the record store peeps don't realize there's a difference between this one and the standard single cd version.

overall i wasn't terribly impressed with this release, however it remains one of my most prized possessions due to the big picture book it comes packaged in, and the fact that it's really hard to come by. not to mention it's a must have for any collector of the various artists involved with the project.

the book is basically a whole bunch of semi-abstract color photographs, and there is an area in the back cover, recessed in foam rubber, where the cd snaps into place. total cool-factor.

my favorite track is the autechre remix... very minimal, and it's got funk. surprisingly, i'm not really into the aphex remix.