Classic Early Aphex (Surfing On Sine Waves - Polygon Window)

Member Name: bingo

Product:	Surfing On Sine Waves - Polygon Window
Date:	05/04/01 (35 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Classic early sound

Disadvantages: Only 9 tracks

This album was released in 1992. While not the first of Aphex's prolific output, it was the first full album he released. This album is an excellent example of early Aphex Twin, and is very good. While its always difficult to describe Aphex's sound, I've had a go at breaking the album down into each separate track :

Polgon Window : Good start to the album. Lots going on in the track, yet at the same time quite mellow.
Audax Powder : Starts off quite low-key, then a minute in it takes another direction, before bringing everything together.
Quoth : Harsh. The sound of King Kong fighting Godzilla in a sheet metal plant. Sped up. Top track!
If it is really me : Described by a friend as 'The Aphex Piano Track', which is a fair description. Good track.
Supremacy II : Excellent. My favourite track on the album. Even includes a sample from the Sound of Music!
UT1. : Strange, but very good.
<no title> : Could have been called 'Aphex Twin Heart Simulator'! The same beat pumps along in the background for the whole track while different sounds are brought to the foreground.
Quixote : Very good.
Quino-phec : very low key track. Good.

Listening to this album can be quite strange, because it sounds as though several of the tracks use similar basic sounds and then have extra sounds and effects overlaid onto them. It definitely unifies the album although you sometimes get a feeling of deja vu!

It can be quite difficult to track down a copy of this album (I got mine from HMV on Oxford Street) but is definitely worth doing. The style of the tracks is instantly recognisable, and can only be described as classic Aphex. If you enjoy Aphex Twin's music, do not miss!

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