FriendBurst Blog

Richard D. James (AKA Aphex Twin, AFX, Polygon Window and Caustic Window) started making music in his bedroom, in his mid-teens; impressing his Mom and his mates with forward-thinking ambient soundscapes.  After releasing two collections of his works, he tried his hand at techno.  He found an audience with underground dance classics such as Digeridoo and Analogue Bubblebath.  He refined his art in 1995 with the album I Care Because You Do.  The next offering (Richard D. James album) wasn’t very good.  I recommend the Come To Daddy EP (and the video – if you don’t have a heart condition).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Az_7U0-cK0

Aphex Twin hasn’t released anything since Chosen Lords (a selection of the best tracks from his Analord series, originally released on vinyl).  26 Mixes For Cash is a double disc collection of Aphex Twin remixes (including songs by Nine Inch Nails, Meat Beat Manifesto and Saint Etienne).  Drukqs (2001) is a double album which alternates between gentle ambient piano and frenetic drill ‘n’ bass.  It has its moments.  Aphex Twin occasionally performs live.  I’m hoping the eccentric electronic boffin is working on some new material.  He is too young to retire – and too talented.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds-JL830GPk

Apollo 440 announced a new album was nearing completion in 2010.  It doesn’t look like it will happen.  This electronic-rock band hasn’t produced anything worthwhile since Electro Glide In Blue (1997).  That album included the singles Krupa and Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Dub (masterfully sampling Van Halen).  Most of the album is better than the singles though.  The debut album, Millennium Fever, is one of the best (yet overlooked) progressive house albums.  It still sounds great.  Unfortunately, the last two albums are unappealing.

Craig Armstrong has forged an interesting and varied career.  The 52 year-old Scottish composer has created music for films such as William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet, The Quiet American and Moulin Rouge!  He has also worked with Massive Attack, Photek, Mogwai and Bono (and many others).  Craig Armstrong’s two albums (The Space Between Us and As If To Nothing) are well produced and thoroughly absorbing.  There are also two compilations (Piano Works and Film Works 1995 – 2005).  Craig Armstrong even formed a band (Winona).  Rosebud is moody and retro.  There are various influences, including OMD and Depeche Mode, yet Armstrong’s characteristic string arrangements and piano pieces are also present (to a lesser extent).

The Art Of Noise combined computer-generated rhythms and voice effects with strings and keyboards.  The various players (mainly J.J. Jeczalik and Anne Dudley) evidently had a lot of fun making their music.  After three enjoyable albums, over a period of half a decade (plus a singles collection), Below The Waste was under par.  A decade later, The Art Of Noise resurfaced with The Seduction Of Claude Debussy (a concept album).  There have been many compilations over the years (including The FON Mixes, The Ambient Collection and The Drum ‘N’ Bass Collection).  Some AON tracks are featured on The Art Of The 12″ volumes 1 & 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ozav6SuuzO8&feature=related

Further listening

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZlmmRDvUzg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUV3GycZwzw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKNUG66G094