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Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. cliffs | |||
| 2. radiator | |||
| 3. rhubarb | |||
| 4. grass | |||
| 5. mold | |||
| 6. ropes | |||
| 7. circles | |||
| 8. weathered stone | |||
| 9. tree | |||
| 10. domino | |||
See all 11 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. blue calx | |||
| 2. parallel stripes | |||
| 3. metal grating | |||
| 4. windowsill | |||
| 5. b+w stripes | |||
| 6. siding nails | |||
| 7. corrugated tubing | |||
| 8. lichen | |||
| 9. leaves | |||
| 10. tassels | |||
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See all 12 tracks on this disc
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Product Description
From Amazon.com
British electronics wunderkind Richard James (alias Aphex Twin, AFX, Polygon Window, etc.) claims he heard the compositions on Selected Ambient Works, Volume II in lucid dreams. Like abstract paintings composed of shades of a single color, James's resonant explorations of specific timbres linger close to a central idea on each cut, incorporating just enough variation to remain disturbing. While its predecessor, Selected Ambient Works '85-'92 drew on seven years' worth of material, the uniform quality of these untitled tracks, plus their judicious sequencing, suggests they were assembled over a shorter period. Clocking in at over 150 minutes, the double-disc set (if this is "selected," how many hours of outtakes remain?) provides an exemplary introduction to the quieter facets of James's expansive, idiosyncratic aesthetic. --Kurt B. Reighley
Album Description
Aphex Twin's 1994 masterpiece Selected Ambient Works Volume II includes barely anything resembling a beat or any sign of typical song structure, yet the album continues to garner adulation generally reserved for holy music. Fans have been testifying on its behalf for nearly two decades, as if it were capable of curing ills or healing the soul. Its synthetic construction belies the intuitive, human, melancholic and uplifting nature of the music. Some have speculated the album was intended by Aphex Twin's Richard D. James as a farce, as if its ++ber-minimalism was a joke played on an electronic community that relied so heavily on the beat; an expectation-defying statement from ambient-house's young hero. The album induces varied responses and often from the same person. A listener may go from being incredulous to drenched in tears within the span of a single track. Music critic Frank Owen described the music as "veering between an eerie beauty and an almost nightmarish desolation." James himself described it as "like standing in a power station on acid." The album's raw emotional power is built upon the influences of Brian Eno, Erik Satie, Steve Reich, Terry Riley and The Orb. Each of its tracks has an elegiac and desolate feel far removed from the tooth-rattling, drill-'n'-bass or abstract electronica for which James was originally known. The soft, nimble flow leaves one in a tranquilized state. Throughout the album, James resists the temptation to layer the sound with beats or samples. Instead, he relies on swathes of sound and harmonics and almost-implied pulses. When the music does incorporate subtle industrial sounds, rhythmic drums or muted samples, it is only to affect a menacing feel in the textures. Remarkably, for an album that is often perceived as difficult, Selected Ambient Works Volume II is quite accessible. Featured in films, commercials and video games, the music continues to offer an entry point for listeners new to the ambient genre while remaining a classic touted by connoisseurs.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Most Perfect Album I've Heard,
By sikarv "sikarv" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Selected Ambient Works, Vol 2 (Audio CD)
I own hundreds of cds from all kinds of genres, yet I have never heard music speak so clearly to me as this Aphex Twin album. This stuff simply can't be categorized. I guess the term "ambient" fits best, but its really a case of no lable being sufficiently decriptive enough to describe what is here. There is no pretense in constructing these sounds to fit a certain musical style. That's why I respect Richard D James' vision so much. No matter where you are, what you are doing, or how you are feeling, there simply is something for any kind of person on this engrossing, 2 disc set. I suppose the only people that won't like this are those looking for instant results, or gratification. You know, the short-attention span type. Still, I'm completely convinced that even the most easilly distracted or bored person would eventually fall under the spell of some of these mesmerizing mood captures. Not songs, mood captures. From compellingly primal evocations to the serenely cerebral and, frankly, settings from seemingly unrecognised, alien-like sectors of the human psyche, this album, more than anything else I've ever come across (Brian Eno's amazing 'Ambient 4: On Land' would possibly equal this depth if it had the sheer variety that's on these 2 discs) captures what it is to be human in sound. The seemingly impossible was achieved here in 1994. That's the highest praise that I think that I could ever give to any music. I simply can't imagine this music ever becoming dated sounding. This exists outside time. Thank you, Richard.
5.0 out of 5 stars
great,
By hugo (holland) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Selected Ambient Works, Vol 2 (Audio CD)
Just great. I am a fan of his music for quite a while and all of his records are special in their own way. Tracks with a little twist only RDJ can add. Sometimes a bit sinister, but thats ok for me! Most of his tracks are sertainly refreshing and energy boosting. A philosopher teacher once said: "to enjoy and appreciate the quality of sertain aspects (of whatsoever) you have to have rotten spots besides it". In case of some of the tracks ("ventolin" (medicine for asthmatic patiens) for example in which you hear a sample of a person hyperventilating), annoying bleeps, cracks and sounds are added in such way that when they fade away in a track you almost feel a releef....a contrast between serenety and rotten (no offence)
5.0 out of 5 stars
One for Discerning Fans,
By "johnnyha23" (Oxford UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Selected Ambient Works, Vol 2 (Audio CD)
I only recently got into Aphex Twin; having heard Selected Ambient Works Volume 1 and deciding that it was one of the best albums I had ever heard, I went out and got this, 26 Mixes for Cash and the Come to Daddy mini-album. What I particularly like about Richard James' work is the variation. The music he produces differs greatly from album to album but I have not been disappointed by any tracks I have listened to. What struck about this album is that is far less accessible that others I have listened to, but as such far more rewarding. Two hours of ambient music is a lot, but if you really listen the changes in the music are very subtle and clever indeed. The first CD is slightly reminiscent of SAW vol.1 but with more continuity between the tracks and, if its possible, a more ambient chilled out synth feel to it. CD 2 encompasses some industrial sounds and haunting vibes of the sort you would not want to listen to on your own in a wood at night. Actually quite scary even in the daytime. If you really take time over this album, its subtleties and quality will become clear, and this is far more rewarding than those wear the strength of tracks are immediately obvious. In short, if you really like your music, and like what you have heard from Aphex Twin then this is the album for you - it is not a good entry point to his music for someone who has never experienced it before. Try SAW vol. 1 for this; I did and I was hooked! Warp is a quality label - check out their other stuff for great beats from Prefuse 73, Autreche, Squarepusher, Nightmares on Wax and Anti-Pop Consortium to name just a few.
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