taming the Aphex Twin
Created | Updated Sep 10, 2004
The Aphex Twin is known in the electronic music industry as a black sheep. Everybody who tried to categorize his style failed, or succeeded only until a new completely startling or deliberately eerie album or single was issued. His work is experimental and diversified. Most of his albums are fairly hermetic to the virgin ear, as they doesn't sound like something that could (or even should) exist. However, understanding his creation and appreciating its diversity can become an interesting and unprecedented journey of discovery and wonder.
Warning!
One cannot say that everybody should like the music the Aphex Twin produces. It is not recommendable for someone who predominantly likes popular music and commercial radio broadcasts. It basically takes three qualities: a taste for the unexpected, and opened-mind and perseverance.
Approaching his music
Because the whole work of The Aphex Twin can't be described using one single style, it is easier to categorize his tracks separately. One of his later albums, Drukqs, contains the widest range of genres he ever put together. From the most violent and abrasive noise to the sweetest and deeply touching piano melody. Some of his albums can be considered as new-age. His creative impulses seems to have no boundaries, and it is likely that everybody can found at least one of his tracks appealing.
The easiest way to get in touch with his work is to listen first to the part of his musical repertoire that sounds like something you already know and appreciate. Here is a list of the best tracks to begin with for each type of preferred music:
Classical:ICCT hedral (both original and Philip Glass Orchestration), April 14th
Dance and Techno:Digeridoo
New Age:The Albums 'Selected Ambient Works', Radiator, Domino
Smooth Electronica:Raising the Titanic, Alberto Balsam, On
Acid:Tamphex Hedphuq
Hardcore:54 Cymrv beats
Letting it sink in
One you've find a piece of his work you enjoy, try buying the album containing it, or begin with a single if you are really not sure. The chances are you will find one or two other tracks you like listening to. And likely a couple of other you just can't suffer. Don't stop listening to them yet! They may become your favorites over time.
But why?
But why, may you ask, should I try listening to some music I'll most likely dislike the first (and maybe second, and so on) time I hear it? Because it's worth it. There are embedded qualities that makes almost each single piece of his work interesting. Sometimes it's the complexity of the non-repeating drum patterns, the beauty of an eerie melody or the only fact that it countains sounds that seems to come from another dimension. It's the musical equivalent of saying 'surprise me' to a hot-dog booth clerk on a remote planet, minus the contamination risks.
