Probably the most famous ‘unofficial’ Aphex Twin collection, Melodies from Mars has never seen an official release, despite the mp3s being in circulation for years.
More so than Analogue Bubblebath 5, I can see why this has never been officially released – it sounds more like Aphex mucking around, and there’s a palpable sense many of these are tracks he knocked up for a laugh. Parping organs, squelchy bass and clownish tempos abound, to create an atmosphere that feels like the music for a forgotten kids TV programme from the 70s.
The two exceptions being the excellent Fingerbib and Logan Rock Witch, which both appear later on the Richard D James Album. Fingerbib has one of Aphex’s most welcoming and recognisable melodies and is a serenely lush trip through a bejewelled garden, populated by fluttering fairies. Everything on this track is so perfectly balanced, I could listen to it over and over (and indeed have).
Logan Rock Witch is a delightfully sinister and bizarre piece of music, immanently suggestive of some kind of malevolent animal spirit. The Logan Rock is natural feature in Cornwall; a ‘rocking stone’ that can be set into motion by human touch despite weighing several tonnes. Listening to this, it’s easy to imagine a malign presence watching over the rock ready to tip it onto unsuspecting passers-by.
There are a few other nuggets on Melodies from Mars that sound more like outtakes from the RDJ Album, but it was never presented as a coherent release so it isn’t fair to judge it as such. Even the zany title suggests ‘working draft’. Another curiosity to dig out in the Aphex discography… just don’t let anyone charge you £2k for a vinyl.
Rating 2 / 5
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