AFX

AFX
CHOSEN LORDS (2006)
320 KBPS

Chosen Lords is technically not an album from Richard D. James; it is actually a compilation of songs off his "Analord" series from last year. The series was a 12-part vinyl collection that had several new (or possibly old) Aphex Twin/AFX tracks on them. James later took apparently his favorites off the Analord series and placed them onto Chosen Lords. This being said, it is quite surprising how balanced Chosen Lords turns out to be.
Part of Chosen Lords' balance stems from it's usage of supposedly entirely analogue synths. James also went to the trouble to edit the tracks somewhat to give the album more flow. The result is a compilation CD of his own work that sounds more like a true "brand new" AFX/Aphex Twin album (especially to listeners who did not purchase/hear any of the Analord vinyl's.)
The sound on Chosen Lords is surprisingly mature and does not have the goofy/industrial samples that Aphex Twin has been renowned. Rather, the sounds is more refined and reeks of some of Richard's best moments at playing with acid techno. He still uses break beats on this album, especially on tracks such as Cilnoen, so fans of his "IDM" should not fret. If there were a similar AFX/Aphex Twin work that Chosen Lords could be compared to, the obvious choice would be "Analogue Bubblebath"... but more modern and up to date.

1. Fenix Funk 5
2. Reunion 2
3. Pitcard
4. Crying in Your Face
5. Klopjob
6. Boxing Day
7. Batine Acid
8. Cilonen
9. PWSteal.Ldpinch.D
10. XMD 5a