Search - Aphex Twin :: Richard D James Album

Just a note:

Maxx | NY, NY | 05/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Richard D. James Album is the first ten tracks of this album:1. 4
2. Cornish Acid
3. Peek 824545301
4. Fingerbib
5. Corn Mouth
6. To Cure a Weakling Child
7. Goon Gumpas
8. Yellow Calx
9. Girl/Boy Song
10. Logon Rock WitchWhen bringing the album to America, the record companies decided that 32 minutes was too short for an album and added on the (entertaining, but IMO inferior) 5 tracks from the Girl/Boy EP.11. Milkman
12. Inkeys
13. Girl/Boy Song [£18 Snare Rush Mix]
14. Beetles
15. Girl/Boy Song [Redruth Mix]Those five tracks are BONUS TRACKS - they are NOT part of Richard D. James Album. Please consider this when reviewing the album.As for my opinion, RDJ Album is a masterpiece of Drill n Bass, which is the term for the lightning quick, spastic drumming that is so prominent in this work. Note that this rather up-tempo drumming isn't always intense...it can actually be quite soothing (For the best example of this, see Flim from the Come to Daddy EP). For this, I couldn't do anything but give it 5 Stars. Once again, Aphex Twin has released something completely alien to my ears and I love it."

Odd, Inspiring, Intelligent, Beautiful

J. Duncan | New York, NY United States | 09/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this is my first Aphex Twin album and I must say it's so good I have to write the review before I even finish listening to it. the basic structure is to have pleasing, relatively simple and light melodies on top of disjointed, interruptive rhythm patterns underneath. it's a most interesting contrast and counterpoint throughout: the lighter melody adds structure to the music and the harsher rhythms improvise and entertain. the character of the melodies is somewhat Japanese/Asian and the instrumentation is similarly light with various bells, chimes, organ and traditional synth sounds carrying the tune. The rhythms are pure techno/trance, could be taken right off a Chemical Brothers, Autechre or Oakenfold CD but given the importance of rhythmic improvisation they are allowed to expand further and roam free on their own. for some listeners this will take them out of their comfort zone because the patterns never last long enough to settle in to one danceable, toe-tappable or head nodding groove (or whatever it is one does with driving beats!) but for me the effect is to keep the pieces fresh and the attention level high throughout. no mental lapses allowed here or you might miss something and it's all too good for that to happen.impossible to pick a stand out track as they're all excellent and follow this basic format. I'm going to keep listening to this for a long time I am sure. one question, on the inside jacket, the grave stone: is that when the artist was born (1968) or is that an ode to a relative (i.e. father)? any one know?"

Perhaps one of the best dance albums of all time

JLS | USA | 07/22/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Richard D. James has progressed far since his early days of distorted drums and catchy melodies. It seems as if technology has finally allowed him to create complex and intricate drum patterns to compliment his complex and intricate melodies. Now, I will be completely honest, I am one of those people that do prefer his albums I Care Because... and his Selected Ambient Works Volume 2. Even after that, this album is so original, so melodic, so intricate, and so catchy, that it truly deserves 5 stars. This album almost pushes Richard D. James into the field of being an actual composer. Many of the melodies and structures truly resemble those of Mozart. Although many people might say that it doesn't sound anything like Mozart, they are half right. This is something in the same style as Mozart performed on modern technology. Richard D. James in this album did something that Mozart did quite a bit, made simplified main melodies with repetitive back, rythmic melodies to compliment them. The main problem that I can see most people having with this album is that it doesn't really have the sound of a normal electronic/dance album. Even though it doesn't sound like a typical electronic/dance album, it still is. You can dance to it. You can hum along to it. And on top of it all, it is written in a style that is a few hundred years old. Of course, that still might not be enough for many people to appreciate it. If you like repitive dance music, radio pop music, country, and have a a huge dislike of classical, then chances are, you will not like this album."