Selected Ambient Works Volume II
Artist Aphex Twin
Genre Electronic
Style Ambient
Style Experimental

Richard D. James, aka Aphex Twin, always seems to make music with a wry grin on his face. When he released Aphex Twin’s seminal collection Selected Ambient Works Volume II in 1994, he declined to name any of the album’s 24 tracks. Instead, he simply numbered them from 1 through 24, giving Selected Ambient Works Volume II an air of mystery—as though someone had found a spare mix CD on the ground, and distributed it through Britain’s most influential indie label, Warp.

Dedicated fans eventually decided to assign their own track titles, based on the album’s artwork—a move that speaks to the devotion and discussion that Volume II has inspired over the past few decades. It’s a classic of the ambient genre, one that James famously—and perhaps with a winking facetiousness—claimed was inspired by the sounds in his lucid dreams. He set out to recreate what he was hearing in his sleep, and the result was less like the organic new wave coming out of Japan, and more like minimalist industrial music. Instead of focusing on harmonious, naturalistic sounds, James crafted something more metallic and tonal: “Track #2 (Radiator)” softly bubbles, like someone’s playing on the pipes of an abandoned factory with a marimba mallet. “Track #15 (Shiny Metal Rods)” has a dark electric crackle—it’s techno by way of Brian Eno.

Not everyone was happy with Volume II, though. James’ illustrious career as one of the UK’s most famous rave DJs, as well as Aphex Twin’s previous release—Selected Ambient Works 85–92—had created an image of what his music “should” sound like. The ambient collection on Volume II was perhaps too gentle or too atmospheric for fans who wanted the hard-charging “intelligent dance music” of Aphex Twin. But James has made a career out of shapeshifting, going where his instincts take him. He may be electronic music’s consummate joker, but there’s nothing trivial about his music.

Tracklisting

  1. #1 (7:28)
  2. #2 (6:34)
  3. #3 (7:44)
  4. #4 (4:40)
  5. #5 (8:55)
  6. #6 (3:31)
  7. #7 (8:51)
  8. #8 (5:08)
  9. #9 (6:55)
  10. #10 (9:58)
  11. #11 (7:18)
  12. #12 (2:42)
  13. Blue Calx (7:20)
  14. #14 (8:01)
  15. #15 (5:34)
  16. #16 (4:46)
  17. #17 (2:05)
  18. #18 (7:17)
  19. #19 (10:15)
  20. #20 (5:58)
  21. #21 (4:15)
  22. #22 (7:09)
  23. #23 (7:30)
  24. #24 (11:27)
  25. #25 (5:42)
  26. Th1 [Evnslower] (11:08)
  27. Rhubarb Orc. 19.53 Rev (6:42)

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Aphex Twin - 17 - Warp Records 1992 Reissue Selected Ambient Works Volume II IDM Breakcore


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Release Information

Key Value
Wikipedia URL https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selected_Ambient_Works_Volume_II
Format Vinyl 4× LP Album Bioplastic Reissue Remastered Stereo (Expanded Edition)
Label Warp Records
Catalog Number WARPLP21R
Notes Black 4LP vinyl in polylined innersleeves in foil blocked wide spine jacket. Includes a fold-out insert with liner notes and a sticker sheet. Pressed on BioVinyl. On label: ℗ and © Warp Records 2024 On insert: ℗ 2024 Warp Records Limited © 2024 Warp Records Limited Blue Calx taken from Rephlex/[url=https://www.discogs.com/release/51236-Various-The-Philosophy-Of-Sound-And-Machine]Art2cd[/url] Made in EU Track names taken from Warp’s website. Plating stamper " V1, +1, 1+, -l2, T1 and x1" in runouts are mirrored.
Discogs URL Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works Volume II