Contrary to what many people seem to think, I find Xylem Tube to be a step up from Digeridoo. Polynominal-C is one of my favorite Richard tracks. So yes, it doesn't necessarily hold up over the entire length of the EP, the first two tracks being much better than the last two, but I have the same impression with the last one, so there you go. Anyway, listen to Xylem Tube, and as a bonus, the magnificent cover art.

A really fun EP, the gamble paid off and the sounds are great. The sampling and variations are effective, and you really get that breakbeat vibe. Plus, in Pac-Man (Mickey Finn's Yum Yum Mix) there's a sample that sounds exactly like Pink Floyd's Money, or maybe a cash register and some very similar coin noises.

No point. It's just disappointing. Aphex didn't cook up anything on this.

Back when talking about artificial intelligence in music meant an excellent compilation, not a bunch of crap tracks... A perfect compilation from Warp, laying the foundations of IDM, with top-notch contributions from Aphex and especially Autechre. The label established itself as a behemoth of electronic music.

Bip bip boup boup: The album
It's not bad, there's a real vibe, but perhaps the style of electronic music showcased lacks a bit of maturity; it was only 1992, after all. Release a compilation like this one, highlighting the IDM/Ambient Techno music of the time, five years later, and you'd have one of the best compilations of all time. Artemis and Blue Clax are clearly the best tracks on the album, with quite advanced effects work. Whereas Pursuit and Remember The Feeling are ... read more

Very different from what Richard had offered so far. It's not bad, but rather strange and sometimes a bit dated in its sound. Let's just say we wouldn't have had any reaction if it hadn't been Aphex who did it.

More danceable than the first release, this second EP offers a rather different sound, more danceable, more acid, without any ambient/IDM elements. Digeridoo is a classic from his early discography; it's hard to be disappointed. The other two tracks are more forgettable, but by no means disappointing.

Analogue Bubblebath is a rather interesting debut EP. Aphex displays impressive talent, perhaps too much so for his first project, especially considering his age, in the song structure and variations. The opening track is by far the best and quite impressive; I'm very glad it's included on Classics. Isopropophlex, with its interesting variations, will find its place on both Digeridoo and Classics. The early sampling elements are well executed in Entrance To Exit. However, there are a ... read more

Disappointing.
Fundamentally, this album/symphony isn't bad; from a purely practical standpoint, it's quite good, but I'm rather disappointed. The electronic elements that make these tracks from Bowie and Eno so great are absent. The tracks are very long, too long for what's offered, and what disappointed me most is surely the removal of all of Warszawa's vocal passages. Philip Glass has a golden touch for creating brilliant polyphonic music, but instead, he delivers a ... read more

In a word: Grandiose.
Philip Glass completes his trilogy of three grand biographical operas with what I consider his most accomplished work: Akhnaten. And wow, that was tough when you have to outdo Einstein on the Beach. The structure is as excellent as ever, and especially the spoken passages; my god, the spoken passages are so good. In short, go hear it; you won't regret the 2 hours.

For his second and final album, Syd Barrett returns with something more complex, and in my opinion, more structured than his previous albums. The sound has become slightly more rock than folk, but at the same time, I'm glad he's stopping, not because I think it's bad or because I think he's exhausted his talent, but simply for the person, his mental state, and his eyesight; it was better that he stopped.

I almost feel like a voyeur with this album… unfortunately. His voice is calm… too calm; he seems completely depressed inside. And unlike Jugband Blues, where I felt a powerful emotion, on this debut album I really only hear sad psychedelic folk. His creativity doesn't really shine through anymore, especially in the lyrics, and the instrumentation, which is almost entirely acoustic guitar, doesn't help.

Up until Facts of Life, I actually had the power to believe in a good finale for King Crimson. Ultimately, I'd say it's a decent album, a step up from THRAK and The Construct of Light. We finally find a kind of personality in the album, an overall coherence, even if I still can't stand the metal side of their last album. I think what changes my appreciation of this final project is the addition of controlled, if not breathtaking, electric elements.

This and THARAK are really crap versus pee. The lyrics are awful, even if slightly less cringe than the last album. The structure is weak, the production is bad, especially for the time; damn, they themselves were doing better production in the '60s and '70s. And who told them to make fucking metal? And it also has their worst sound ever. Anyway, I'm really pissed off because I have a real affection for King Crimson and Fripp, and it hurts me to see them do this, but it's ... read more

I understand the concept and what the band is trying to achieve with this album. But despite everything, I'm not really hooked. It has its moments, especially in Frame by Frame, but ultimately, I don't really recognize my King Crimson. I know the band has gone through a lot of changes, but unfortunately, the identity I loved is gone. Too New Wave, probably. That said, I wouldn't say it's bad; overall, it's pretty good, don't get me wrong, but it's not what I ... read more

If you want to immerse yourself in the early days of Pink Floyd and Syd's energy, this is it. It's full of iconic singles that will perfectly complement your listening experience after The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, for example.

Powerful. King Crimson releases an album that blends improvisation, prog rock, and hard rock. It's almost heavy metal at times. Even if it's the weakest of the trilogy it shares with Lark's Tongue in Aspic and Red, it lays the groundwork for the perfect album that its successor will be.

In the Court of Crimson Chill.

Island is an album that makes you float in an inner peace quite close to the album cover. It's so calm, relaxed, full of peace. The album is generally well-constructed with consistent sounds. However, it's not the band's best album, and it doesn't reach the level of In the Court of Crimson King or Red.

A pretty good album that unfortunately suffers from being rather disorganized; lots of interesting little ideas, but overall it feels a bit lost. Some pretty cool jazzy sounds too. Perhaps the band is finally rebuilding itself in a way, with tracks only by Fripp and Sinfield.

It's good, not groundbreaking, just good. And actually, making a groundbreaking second album was perhaps King Crimson's overly ambitious goal at that point. Ultimately, it sounds a bit too much like a budget version of In The Court Of Crimson King rather than a true original. Nevertheless, we return to tracks that succeed, such as the excellent Picture of a City or the title track.