A Brief Exploration of Aphex Twin & Squarepusher
Hello, and thank you all for your continued support of my music blog. I’m glad that many people frequent it because I really love sharing music with everyone in my life. One of the questions I get asked on a consistant basis is to recommend some “good” Aphex Twin (Richard D. James) and Squarepusher (Thomas Jenkinson) songs. I would like to take a moment to emphasize the point that this is by no means an exhaustive journey into either of these creative geniuses. Rather these six songs I have selected, three from each artist, are meant as a sampling of a few of my favourite songs by each artist. If you know of similar songs by these artists, we would love to hear about it, just leave a comment! Without any further rambling lets begin:
Aphex Twin – Girl/Boy Song sample taken from his 1996 LP “Richard D. James”
Squarepusher – Port Rhombus taken from his 1996 EP “Port Rhombus”
Aphex Twin – Flim sample taken from his 1997 LP “Come to Daddy”
Aphex Twin – Window Licker sample taken from his 1999 EP “Windowlicker”
Squarepusher – My Red Hot Car taken from his 2001 LP “Go Plastic”
Squarepusher – Do You Know Squarepusher taken from his 2002 LP “Do You Know Squarepusher”
Honourable mention also go to the following songs, which are also very good, but I am not comfortable posting that many “sample” songs on here, so look them up, and buy the cd’s/lp’s to support these guys!
Squarepusher – Iambic 5 Poetry (Budakhan Mindphone EP, 1999)
Squarepusher – Iambic 9 Poetry (Ultravisitor LP, 2004)
Squarepusher – Come on my selector (Big Loada EP, 1997)
Aphex Twin – Vordhosbn (DrukQs LP, 2001)
Aphex Twin – Avril 15th (DrukQs LP, 2001)
Aphex Twin – Mt Saint Michel Mix St. Michaels Mount (DrukQs LP, 2001)
I’ll add a phew
1. Squarepusher – Tundra (Feed me Weird things, 1996)
2. Squarepusher – Tomorrow World (Selection 16, 1999)
3. Squarepusher – The Exploding Psychology (Go Plastic, 2001)
4. (And For our Purposes I Have to add…) Squarepusher – Richard is Dick Extended (I Am Carnal and I Know That you are too EP) (… as a segway)
5. Aphex Twin – ALL OF SELECTED AMBIENT WORKS! (1993)
6. Aphex Twin – Ventolin (I Care Because You Do, 1995)
7. Aphex Twin – Icct Hedral (I care because you do, 1995) and Philip Glass’s cover of this song on the donky rhubarb ep released shortly afterwards.
Cheers.
Comment by Sidenote — September 16, 2006 @ 1:33 pm
Making the myspace jump to your site. actually on the topic of Aphex Twins – this one is a personal fav and on my current listening playlist..
Ageispolis – Selected Ambient Works 85-92
Too good for words….
Comment by Miss C — September 26, 2006 @ 12:05 pm
I had always like “Window Licker” but honestly never really listened to much Aphex Twin beyond that. Flim was excellent. Girl/Boy was good too. Sadly, I consider myself in the know on rare music, but I have never even heard of “Squarepusher”. That is a sad and pathetic thing. Thanks for introducing me to this great artist!
Comment by Aeloi — October 25, 2006 @ 11:05 am
Both great artists.
But what about Autechre.
I’f you like these artists then you will like Autechre, and then there is Boards of Canada… Check them out as well.
Aphex Twin has brought out music under the name of AFX aswell for those how did not know (Analord LP/CD).
Well i hope someone have some use to thi
Comment by MBKKR — October 28, 2006 @ 5:56 am
Here are a few tracks that might not scare your friends if they happen to be new to electronic music. Most, if not all are very danceable, which is what I miss the most about the electronic music scene!
Pulsewidth – Selected Ambient Works 85-92 (Great track, excellent synth work at a nice pace, look for the remix on the “live in japan” set)
Tha – Selected Ambient Works 85-92 (Infectious rhythms, excellent 303 synth work, and dreamscape padwork. If you don’t find yourself at least bobbing your head, you might want to have your pulse checked.
Weathered Stone – Selected Ambient Works 2 (If you have a sub system in your car and you cruise a lot with friends, this is an excellent track to bump. Deep bass, crisp mid rim shots and high hats, Pretty Gangsta!)
Iz-Us – Come to Daddy (Breakbeats, dissonant melodies, and a jazz trio thrown into a blender, only aphex twin can pull it off. Wait for the breakdown during the third minute.)
Windowlicker Japanese Demo Edit – (If you can find this version you will be a very happy person, head bobber fo sure.)
I could go on forever about Squarepusher but I think I made this post long enough. Pick up any album by Squarepusher and you are guaranteed to find something you’ll like. If I had to pick a starting point I would have to say his album “Feed Me Weird Things”. A little on the edge but not as far as his later work. This album is one of those gems that you can play from beginning to end, brilliant piece, and one of my dear favorites!
Comment by Pedro — January 29, 2007 @ 8:40 pm
Not to be forgotten
Aphex Twin
1. Fingerbib (RIchard D. JAmes Album)
2. Donkey Rhubarb (DOnkey Rhubarb EP)
3. Bucephalus Bouncing Ball (Windowlicker EP)
Squarepusher
1. Fat Controller (Hard Normal Daddy LP)
2. A Journey to Reedham (7am mix) (Big Loada EP)
3. Chunk-s (Music is Rotted One Note LP)
Comment by rapka — June 3, 2007 @ 5:57 pm
The three Squarepusher joints I’d pick are:
Hello Meow
Planetarium
Abacus 2
Feelin’ the blog!
Comment by MikeM — May 18, 2008 @ 9:55 pm