Whether it's Caustic or Polygon Window, AFX, or just plain Richard James, the man known as Aphex Twin always writes dream-inspired music. Not pleasant, running though a field of flowers dreams, but dark, paranoid, and haun... more »ting nightmares. The third installment of Analogue Bubblebath is no exception, and continues in the same demented direction as previous volumes. Describing individual tracks this time around is more difficult than usual, as each track is given a (seemingly) random serial number rather than a traditional title. The only exception is "AFX 6/b," an ambient, electro number that tweets, chirps, and hums with mechanical inspiration. Other tracks range from the sound of stuck machine cogs mixed with phazer fire to scratchy minimal techno to gurgling guttural noises. Frightening but inspired. --Daniel Shumate« less
Whether it's Caustic or Polygon Window, AFX, or just plain Richard James, the man known as Aphex Twin always writes dream-inspired music. Not pleasant, running though a field of flowers dreams, but dark, paranoid, and haunting nightmares. The third installment of Analogue Bubblebath is no exception, and continues in the same demented direction as previous volumes. Describing individual tracks this time around is more difficult than usual, as each track is given a (seemingly) random serial number rather than a traditional title. The only exception is "AFX 6/b," an ambient, electro number that tweets, chirps, and hums with mechanical inspiration. Other tracks range from the sound of stuck machine cogs mixed with phazer fire to scratchy minimal techno to gurgling guttural noises. Frightening but inspired. --Daniel Shumate
"This EP was one of AFX's first commercially available efforts. In his early days, Richard was the embodiment of a bedroom producer, and so the sound quality of this EP release isn't the best. Nevertheless, this CD-single displays the unique abilities of AFX, and it's great fun to listen. The title track is one of his gentler ventures, an acid house track with bubbling water noises (of course!) and delicate harmonies. The combination of harsh beats and psychedelic melodies is also featured here, as "Iso.." demonstrates. The furious rhythms and distorted vocal samples of "Entrance.." prefigure the metal/techno-crossover sound of "Come to daddy". "AFX2" is a typical ambient-techno number which would easily fit onto "Selected ambient works 1". Nevertheless, I think this EP will remain an item for completists. The title track and "Iso.." are featured on Aphex Twin's "Classics", a collection of early hardcore tracks. "Entrance.." was also available on "Wasted", a compilation of unreleased material from the likes of Autechre, The Orb, and Underworld."
Amazing!
Steve Dolnack | 10/31/1998
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album is amazing! well, what more can you expect from RDJ?? his equipment isn't as good on this album and there are only four songs, which is kind of a letdown. but the songs are four awesome ones! I'd say this is his most abrasive and dancy album, at least that i've heard."
Creativity at its best!
loteq | 11/05/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"amazing, i love the song "Entrance to Exit" as it feels like a Tornado is consuming your very presense. The molody creates a fast merry go round tornado effect that sweeps you away."
Mozart of Techno
adrian peachment | East Sussex Uk | 09/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Mozart of Techno, Richard James, Awkward Bugger or The Aphex Twin, call him what you will, has produced an ethereal masterpiece here. This is 'chill-out' music in the proper sense of the word, non of your, 'Now that's what I call Chill out 56' type compilation, but an achingly beautiful piece of music; utterly seductive. This is sunset music to weep to. Abstract hypnotic beats shimmy for space next to clanger like bleeps as the warmth of the record envelops you in a cocoon of ambient serenity. Blissfully enchanting music."
Excellent beat-driven RDJ
Steve Dolnack | Mullica Hill, NJ | 03/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When I bought this, I was under the impression that it would be something among the lines of Selected Ambient Works 85-92 or On: it was released around that time, and the name alone--Analogue Bubblebath--conjured scenes of peaceful ambience, like something calm and warm. Well, anyone who's heard this knows that that couldn't be farther from reality.
It doesn't sound anything like SAW, or even ...I Care Because You Do--it's got similar beats, but lacks ...I Care's melodies and tones. Analogue Bubblebath proved to be a more abrasive and caustic electronica than I thought was possible back in 1994. "Isopropophlex"--starting with a great loop and adding layers upon layers of beats one at a time--always reminds me of NIN's "Broken" EP, like something Trent Reznor would have produced if he mixed more techno into his industrial amalgam than metal, and "Entrance to Exit" is one of those songs we all could've sworn we'd heard in the Matrix, a Prodigy-esque sirened breakbeat fare you can't help but tap your foot or nod your head to.
At just under 20 minutes, this album seems all to short, but it's a wonderful slice of great acid techno not commonly heard on James' other work, and worth every penny."
Track Listings (4) - Disc #1
