Having recently noticed the 25-year anniversaries of some classic albums, I realised just how many of my favourites were released in 1996. So here's ten of them. Far from being a definitive list, these are just ten albums I'm particularly fond of. They're not presented in any sort of rank order, and comparin say Eels, … Continue reading Ten of the best – 1996
Tag: Warp Records
Autechre – Amber (1994)
At no point in a career spanning more than three decades, have Autechre wavered from their singular and uncompromising musical vision. Like an army of AI, the sound of which their music so often seems to emulate, they've marched on relentlessly, continuously pushing forward, constantly evolving and developing, always striving to change yet always sounding … Continue reading Autechre – Amber (1994)
Ekoplekz – Reflekzionz (2015)
Listening to Reflekzionz reminds me of flicking through a scrapbook of faded photographs of scenes from non-descript British towns: a kids' playground on a suburban housing estate, a deserted bandstand in a park, a seaside pier and shuttered amusement arcade. I imagine the weather in these scenes to be cloudy and overcast - maybe a … Continue reading Ekoplekz – Reflekzionz (2015)
Squarepusher – Ten of the Best
This is a completely arbitrary format, as no artist's discography can be reduced to ten tracks, nevermind someone with as varied and continually experimental output as Squarepusher. That's why this is Ten of the Best, not 'The Best Ten'. Sure, everyone's got their own list and I could do another ten for Squarepusher sometime, but … Continue reading Squarepusher – Ten of the Best
AFX – Hangable Auto Bulb
This release is barely over half an hour but is essential mid-period Aphex, catching that transition from the analogue sound of I Care Because You Do to the hyper-manipulated beats of Come to Daddy and Drukqs. Opening track, Children Talking, is the classic Aphex juxtaposition of silliness with darkness, innocence and malevolence. The old sample … Continue reading AFX – Hangable Auto Bulb