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Avg: 4.5 (41 ratings)
- Date Released: March 8, 1994
- Genre: Electronic
- Style: Electronic Ambient
- Label: Warp Records
Completely redefining "ambient music" — music for, and from, disturbed dreams
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We Say...
I spent the better part of two years falling asleep every night to either the first or second disc of Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works 2. This means two things. First, I rarely heard either disc's second half. And, second, I had very odd dreams for the better part of two years.
The odd and unsettling ambient compositions collected on Richard D. James' 1994 album are hardly the sort that Brian Eno envisioned when he famously said that the genre's music should be "as ignorable as it is interesting." When Selected Ambient Works 2 is on, it's nearly impossible to focus on anything else, unless you put it on at a very low volume. (Trust me, I know.)
From the disconcerting muffled voices of "White Blur 1" to the tribal pomp of "Window Sill," this is very much music to be heard loudly, soft and everywhere in between. "Rhubarb," especially, yearns with ineffable mystery, moving two simple loops over and over against one another, examining them from every possible angle, while "Shiny Metal Rods" moves effortlessly forward — the rare track here with percussion to speak of — sounding like Nine Inch Nails circa Downward Spiral stuck in a harrowing loop. (Fitting, as Aphex contributed a track to a NIN remix album later in the decade.) Fans of Reznor will find much to love here, actually — as long as they're not expecting vocals — Selected Ambient Works 2 is some of the most emotional electronic music that you'll ever hear. That said, I wouldn't recommend your first listen to be while falling asleep — unless you're ready for a half-wolf, half-zebra to chase you down an alleyway to see if you've paid your taxes.
You've been warned. -
They Say...
Selected Ambient Works, Vol. 2 is a more difficult and challenging album than Aphex Twin's previous collection. The music is all texture; there are only the faintest traces of beats and forward movement. Instead, all of these untitled tracks are long, unsettling electronic soundscapes, alternately quiet and confrontational; although most of the music is rather subdued, it is never easy listening. While some listeners may find this double-disc album dull (both discs run over 70 minutes), many listeners will be intrigued and fascinated by the intricately detailed music of Aphex Twin.
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| 01. |  |
#1 |
7:27 |
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| 02. | |
#2 |
6:34 |
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| 03. | |
#3 |
7:44 |
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| 04. | |
#4 |
4:39 |
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| 05. | |
#5 |
8:55 |
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#6 |
3:31 |
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#7 |
8:51 |
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| 08. | |
#8 |
5:08 |
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#9 |
6:54 |
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| 10. | |
#10 |
9:58 |
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| 11. | |
#11 |
7:18 |
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| 12. | |
#12 |
2:42 |
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12 Total Tracks, 79:41 Total Length
eMusic Tip
Paid downloads are counted towards an album discount but free downloads are not.
COMPLETE FOR FREE!
You can download the rest of the tracks from this album for free! Just click the Complete Album button.
We’re sorry this album can only be downloaded using paid subscription download credits.
We recommend you Save it for Later by clicking the Save for Later button shown just above this message. For a list of related albums you can download right now, check out these recommendations.
We'll give you 24 additional free credits to download this album and start your paid subscription.
Get 24 bonus credits on us if you download this album. Sweet!
| 01. | |
Blue Calx |
7:20 |
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| 02. | |
#14 |
8:00 |
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| 03. | |
#15 |
5:33 |
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#16 |
4:45 |
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#17 |
2:05 |
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#18 |
7:16 |
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#19 |
5:57 |
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| 08. | |
#20 |
4:15 |
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| 09. | |
#21 |
7:09 |
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| 10. | |
#22 |
7:30 |
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| 11. | |
#23 |
11:27 |
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| 12. | |
#24 |
5:41 |
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12 Total Tracks, 76:58 Total Length
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Credits
- Aphex Twin - Synthesizer // Richard D. James - Producer // Richard D. James - Photography
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Other Details
- Instruments:
- Synthesizer //
- Synthesizer Pads
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