Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works Vol.2 (CD 1994)

This is a work both seminal and un-representational by probably the most important electronic music composer of the 90s. Back in 1992-1993 'ambient' was a buzz word, as producers began to create album length works which had an appeal beyond the ecstasy enthused dance floor and the 12" crowd pleasing classic. Richard D James, known as 'Aphex Twin' was the UK's first poster boy of the informal 'electronic dance music as serious music' movement. But with the release of SAW II he took the opportunity of his new found fame to give his (typically young) listeners an experience of something that was for the most part beyond their understanding or appreciation, leading many to wonder whether the emperor was sometimes clothe less or if perhaps this was a bit of a joke. Time matures tastes, however, and while James never again returned to the same non-linear, horizon gazing subtleties of these musical textures, the reputation of this album amongst those with ears to hear is now like that of a jeweled family heirloom passed down in secret without word of mouth from brother to brother. Simply beautiful.

This is brilliant album - its music but not how you have heard it before - Aphex Twin brings together sounds that relax you, alert you and scare you. Theres music to strip the wall paper from the walls and to send a small child to the land of nod. 2 CD's worth of brilliance

I quite like Aphex Twin and I love Ambient music but this really takes the biscuit in the self indulgence stakes! It's rubbish and i can't listen to this kind of musical masturbation!!!!!!