Mashed Potatoes? Why do you hate Mashed Potatoes?
I can't let the week go by without mentioning the release of Aphex Twin's 'Hangable Auto Bulb' CD.
This is the first time these classic tracks have been released on CD - to mark the 10 year anniversary of their original (and very limited) release on two 12"s. Although this re-release will probably mean that my pristine vinyl copies will now only be able to keep me in a champagne lifestyle for a night rather than a fortnight, it's great that more people will be able to hear these superb tracks.
For anyone with any interest in Aphex Twin, or in electronic music full stop, these records were a landmark release. Previously, although the sounds he used were (and still are) like nothing else we'd ever heard, Aphex worked his magic pretty much exclusively around the framework of a 4-4 beat. It was startling to listen to these records the first time, and hear the cut-up jungle rhythms that have been synonymous with most of his work since.
It could easily be argued that despite being so revolutionary, these records also marked the zenith of electronic music. Before this, Warp's still timeless 'Artificial Intelligence' series showed the possibilities of machine soul. Since HAB-day, rather than coaxing beautiful danceable sounds out of their machines, most producers have seemingly been trying to out-do each other in attempting to come up with the most complex drum programming possible. With a few notable exceptions (Boards of Canada; the first releases on Skam; Ulrich Schnauss, Global Goon, Cylob - in fact most Rephlex releases) the electronic scene has been in the creative doldrums.
It is remarkable how spoiled we were in those halcyon times. In my university days from '92 to '95, classic releases from the likes of B12, Black Dog, Likemind, Stasis, A.R.T., Clear and Autechre seemed to appear on a weekly basis - a fact that contributed a great deal to my enormous overdraft! Music may be the food of love, but it doesn't stop you going hungry when you've spent all your money on Autechre 12"s.
It was also the time when every Aphex release was a landmark event, unfailingly knocking the competition aside with sounds and rhythms (created by home-made synths) no-one else could even dream of. The Polygon Window album still sounds like it was made by aliens. It does seem after the overblown 'Drukqs' and the unfocused (or over-focused?) 'Analord' series that he has lost the plot a bit in recent years... however I still have complete faith. It may not be next time, but when you're least expecting it - and when he can be bothered - he'll pull another 'Windowlicker', 'Girl/Boy' or 'Polynomial-C' out of thin air.
AFX - EVERY DAY
From the second Hangable Auto Bulb 12" - and of course included on the CD.
APHEX TWIN - ICCT HEDRAL (PHILIP GLASS ORCHESTRATION)
From 1995's 'Donkey Rhubarb' EP, composer Philip Glass reworks this track into an atmospheric classical masterpiece.
The CD is available from Warpmart for £7.99. Get in there!
This is the first time these classic tracks have been released on CD - to mark the 10 year anniversary of their original (and very limited) release on two 12"s. Although this re-release will probably mean that my pristine vinyl copies will now only be able to keep me in a champagne lifestyle for a night rather than a fortnight, it's great that more people will be able to hear these superb tracks.
For anyone with any interest in Aphex Twin, or in electronic music full stop, these records were a landmark release. Previously, although the sounds he used were (and still are) like nothing else we'd ever heard, Aphex worked his magic pretty much exclusively around the framework of a 4-4 beat. It was startling to listen to these records the first time, and hear the cut-up jungle rhythms that have been synonymous with most of his work since.
It could easily be argued that despite being so revolutionary, these records also marked the zenith of electronic music. Before this, Warp's still timeless 'Artificial Intelligence' series showed the possibilities of machine soul. Since HAB-day, rather than coaxing beautiful danceable sounds out of their machines, most producers have seemingly been trying to out-do each other in attempting to come up with the most complex drum programming possible. With a few notable exceptions (Boards of Canada; the first releases on Skam; Ulrich Schnauss, Global Goon, Cylob - in fact most Rephlex releases) the electronic scene has been in the creative doldrums.
It is remarkable how spoiled we were in those halcyon times. In my university days from '92 to '95, classic releases from the likes of B12, Black Dog, Likemind, Stasis, A.R.T., Clear and Autechre seemed to appear on a weekly basis - a fact that contributed a great deal to my enormous overdraft! Music may be the food of love, but it doesn't stop you going hungry when you've spent all your money on Autechre 12"s.
It was also the time when every Aphex release was a landmark event, unfailingly knocking the competition aside with sounds and rhythms (created by home-made synths) no-one else could even dream of. The Polygon Window album still sounds like it was made by aliens. It does seem after the overblown 'Drukqs' and the unfocused (or over-focused?) 'Analord' series that he has lost the plot a bit in recent years... however I still have complete faith. It may not be next time, but when you're least expecting it - and when he can be bothered - he'll pull another 'Windowlicker', 'Girl/Boy' or 'Polynomial-C' out of thin air.
AFX - EVERY DAY
From the second Hangable Auto Bulb 12" - and of course included on the CD.
APHEX TWIN - ICCT HEDRAL (PHILIP GLASS ORCHESTRATION)
From 1995's 'Donkey Rhubarb' EP, composer Philip Glass reworks this track into an atmospheric classical masterpiece.
The CD is available from Warpmart for £7.99. Get in there!
posted by headphonesex @ 5:45 PM
