And that artist is Aphex Twin aka Richard James. I probably should ask if there is anyone else who has heard of him. James is, IMO, the most brilliant musician of this generation. He has been compared to Glass, Stockhausen, and Cage as avant-garde but he is also well-known in the techno/electronic arena. Sometimes his music is labelled as "IDM" (Intelligent Dance Music). Trent Reznor, Beck, and Bjork to name a couple have sung his praises as a genius. Anyway, I was listening to "Selected Ambient Works, Vol II" last night on headphones, specifically track #9 on the first disc (the one that has a picture of a tree). That track had to be the most unsettling thing I have ever heard. It reminded me of something that you would have heard in the movie, "The Shining". I made the mistake of closing my eyes while listening to it...I won't do that again. There are other tracks on there that are just as unsettling and there are tracks on there that are some of the most beautiful I have ever heard. Compare this CD to his "Selected Ambient Works 85-92" and you will see how diverse this guy is. The first SAW is happy dancey (is that a word?) techno that is not really an ambient album. Other stuff by him to check out if you are interested: "I Care Because You Do" (my personal favorite for "Icct hedral" alone) "The Richard D. James Album" "Drukqs" "Come to Daddy" (EP)
I've got the Richard D. James album, it's a great album. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of him are his Windowlicker and Come to Daddy videos, very disturbing.
Are there any good dj's or mixmasters I should listen too who don't use MC's. I'm not into that stuff but it seems interesting.
I've heard of Aphex Twin. I think he did one kickass song for Donkey Kong Country. That's about all I know of him.
