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Why Drukqs is great.
 

offline Frag from New Jersey (United States) on 2002-03-04 04:46 [#00110438]
Points: 1024 Status: Lurker



First of all, I would like to say that all of the songs
people call filler are really good songs. Btoum Rotunda,
Beskhu3pnm, the piano, etc...They're all written well and
sound beautiful on headphones. Second, the music is all
Aphex Twin. Even though some of the stuff no longer sounds
like IDM, it's written that way and it's written in the
style or RDJ...Another thing related is that it took some
sort of genius to get the stuff that sounds organic, like
real pianos/organs/strings, to sound as real as it does,
even though none of it is.

Even the people that don't like Drukqs have to admit the
songs that kick ass. Mt. St. Michel's, Ziggomatic, 54 Cymru
Beats...They're really his best work, I feel.

While it's been said that this album was done to fufill a
contract, I don't know how much that applies here. It was
very hyped, and I dont' think Richard would keep it that
way, as an artist, unless he had a lot of faith in the
album. Part of that was probably by Warp, but I can't
imagine him doing those fkd heads, and Cunningham doing the
videos for what they thought was mediocre music.

If that's what it was, overhyped by a record company wanting
to cash in, no matter. If you feel the songs aren't good
enough, then they certainly are the building blocks for even
better music in the future. RDJ hasn't hit his creative
peak, and I don't even know if he's near the summit at all.



 

offline illfates from space (United States) on 2002-03-04 04:55 [#00110443]
Points: 844 Status: Regular



Wholly agreed.

I think a lot of those piano pieces are something of Satie
tributes...


 

offline Aktium from cleveland (United States) on 2002-03-04 05:07 [#00110457]
Points: 1128 Status: Lurker



i liked the pianotracks at first, but i lost interest. im
not saying they're not brilliant, cause they are. i just
enjoy the more complex tracks on it. cause i love breaking
down the science and nature of his songs


 

offline aron from saskatoon (Canada) on 2002-03-04 05:15 [#00110461]
Points: 3756 Status: Lurker



i think the piano tracks are all bullocks except for Avril
14th, Nanou2, and Petiatil Cx Htdui.

alot of the drill tracks on drukqs are fuking brill too.


 

offline xlr from Boston (United States) on 2002-03-04 05:59 [#00110475]
Points: 4904 Status: Regular



About the "piano" tracks. What instrument is being used
in...

-Jynweythek
-Kladfvgbung Micshk
-Hy A Scullyas
-Ruglen Holon
-Beskhu3epnm?

All of these songs have something in common- that
strings-being-plucked-sounding instrument! What instrument
is it? Nobody seems to know. I asked on the board a while
ago and a few people said it was "prepared piano". It
doesn't sound like piano to me, it sounds like a harp or
some other string based instrument. I thought it might be a
"harmonium", which is an indian keyboard-based instrument,
but it uses bellows, so I don't think so.

Does anybody know? it's driving me crazy.


 

offline Sand Lepus from Louisville (United States) on 2002-03-04 06:49 [#00110490]
Points: 30 Status: Lurker



It's a prepared piano. Prepared pianos are pianos that have
different shit stuck in between the strings which makes them
make all sorts of weird sounds.


 

offline nanotech from Sukavasti Amitaba Pureland (United States) on 2002-03-04 07:24 [#00110501]
Points: 3727 Status: Regular



xlr, you might want to look into a little "feature" (if
that's even up to par because it's a big piece of shit) in
fruityloops 3.x called plucked. I've been able to reproduce
simular sounds, but it's not my style. Synthetik is the way
to go.

On another note, i'm listining to taking control (track 9 on
Drukqs 2), and i have to say that rdj still keeps his well
known funk, and quarkyness. yea! hit me with those phatty
beats! "bass bit....."


 

offline jand from Braintree (United Kingdom) on 2002-03-04 07:41 [#00110519]
Points: 5975 Status: Moderator | Show recordbag



agreed...

BTW it's not "bass bit" or "bass bitch"... it's "decent
bits"....odd, I know, and strange as I heard it as Bass
Bitch for sometime but after a bit of FF & Rewinding, I can
say for sure it's "Decent Bits"...


 

offline eXXailon from purgatory on 2002-03-04 08:12 [#00110546]
Points: 6745 Status: Lurker



Most of the aphex songs I like best are from drukqs. That
alone makes it my favorite album. I love some (but not all)
of the piano tracks like avril 14th, kesson dalef, prep
gwarlek 3b etc. I'm not too interested in the piano tracks,
not because I think they r shit, but because I just like the
fast and abrasive tracks more.

Amen


 

offline nacmat on 2002-03-04 09:33 [#00110608]
Points: 31271 Status: Lurker



drukqs is great album for me, cos I like travelling, I like
seeing so many different landscapes... i like falling down
the abbys and flying up to the highest cloud


 

offline E-man from Rixensart (Belgium) on 2002-03-04 11:00 [#00110672]
Points: 3000 Status: Regular | Followup to jand: #00110519



you're sure jand...???
that's odd in fact, I always listened carefully and
everytime it was bass bitch to my hears...


 

offline grm from London (United Kingdom) on 2002-03-04 11:35 [#00110702]
Points: 494 Status: Regular



what people don't seem to get is that Drukqs is NOT supposed
to be one flowing whole album. RDJ wants people to mp3 it
and make selections of their fav tracks on the album. The
tracks themselves were just the current 'compilation' of his
own stuff that he just so happend to be listening to at that
point in time, if the release date was a month later we may
have got some totally different tunes. look at drukqs from
that point of view and it becomes a damn good album


 

offline marlowe from Antarctica on 2002-03-04 16:40 [#00111072]
Points: 24578 Status: Lurker



since when was a harmonium an Indian instrument?


 

offline Ophecks from Nova Scotia (Canada) on 2002-03-04 16:44 [#00111080]
Points: 19190 Status: Moderator | Show recordbag



I totally agree with Frag. Drukqs is his best yet... I don't
understand all the naysayers. Amazing album, the drill
tracks are very advanced, and the piano tracks are just
yummy.

That said, there's some real shit on it... Gwarek2, for
example... maybe it's a bit too bloated. But the great stuff
on it is REALLY great. Maybe it should have been a one disc,
70-something minute album... I think there's easily 76
minutes of brilliant material on there.


 

offline Laserbeak from Netherlands, The on 2002-03-04 16:57 [#00111096]
Points: 2670 Status: Lurker



Is it just me or does Gwarek2 sound a bit like Gasang der
Junglinge by Karlheinz Stockhausen...and I don't think it's
shit. Drukqs is a masterpiece IMHO


 

offline Omneignotumus on 2002-03-04 17:04 [#00111101]
Points: 506 Status: Lurker



The piano tracks are not 'fake'; they were done using
prepared piano. Prepared piano means various objects are
placed in or around the strings to influence the timbre and
overtones of the notes. Harmonium is often thought of as a
traditional an east Indian instrument, but it is originally
of western design and was assimilated in Indian music...I
think. I also think that Drukqs is one of the most
excellent Aphex Twin recordings.


 

offline Ophecks from Nova Scotia (Canada) on 2002-03-04 17:07 [#00111103]
Points: 19190 Status: Moderator | Show recordbag



I can't wait till his next release... Drukqs is fantastic,
but I think his best is yet to come. An album with NO
filler, hopefully... another ICBYD. Maybe not that same
styles, but it won't be nearly as convoluted as Drukqs.

Of course, this is a gut feeling, and my gut feelings tend
to be WRONG! :-) Hopefully not, in this case.


 

offline Omneignotumus on 2002-03-04 17:09 [#00111105]
Points: 506 Status: Lurker



I wonder how long it will be. Has he made any indication?
...not that I would give any creedence to it.


 

offline Ophecks from Nova Scotia (Canada) on 2002-03-04 17:13 [#00111107]
Points: 19190 Status: Moderator | Show recordbag



Hmm, no clue. Probably 2003. He moves at a glacial pace
nowadays. Sigh. I bet he already has enough good new
material for a FEW albums. Stubborn bastard.


 

offline Omneignotumus on 2002-03-04 17:15 [#00111109]
Points: 506 Status: Lurker



Im sure he does too; lets go caper all of his hard drives.
We'll get ninja costumes.


 

offline raimons from Stockholm (Sweden) on 2002-03-04 17:29 [#00111124]
Points: 4266 Status: Lurker



drukqs is not so great


 

offline The_Funkmaster from St. John's (Canada) on 2002-03-04 17:32 [#00111128]
Points: 16280 Status: Lurker



drukqs is excellent!!!


 

offline raimons from Stockholm (Sweden) on 2002-03-04 17:33 [#00111129]
Points: 4266 Status: Lurker



i think a few songs are the best tracks ever! the rest feels
old


 

offline xlr from Boston (United States) on 2002-03-04 17:35 [#00111131]
Points: 4904 Status: Regular



Omneignotumus, Sand Lepus, nanotech, thanks for your
responses. I wasn't quite sure what "prepared piano" meant
but i think i get it now. I'll have to research it a
little.

And it's "Decent Bitch".


 

offline E-man from Rixensart (Belgium) on 2002-03-04 18:44 [#00111213]
Points: 3000 Status: Regular | Followup to Ophecks: #00111107



normally we'll have something this month on rephlex...
that's what lots of peoples are saying, joyrex first of
them...
so it's probably true, and it's probably an LP! great great
great


 

offline Omneignotumus on 2002-03-04 19:24 [#00111275]
Points: 506 Status: Lurker



Ther is a double CD worth of John Cage prepared piano works
available. You should make it a part of your collection.
There is also a version of Arvo Part's 'Tabula Rasa' with
Keith Jarret on prepared piano that is breath taking. Those
are the best examples that I can think of from my own
collection. I'll have to look, Im sure Im blanking out
some things.


 

offline illfates from space (United States) on 2002-03-04 19:28 [#00111286]
Points: 844 Status: Regular



can anyone confirm or deny the Satie influences on the piano
work? Satie being a mid 19th or 20th (wow, specific, aren't
I?) century composer..


 

offline marlowe from Antarctica on 2002-03-04 20:10 [#00111402]
Points: 24578 Status: Lurker | Followup to illfates: #00111286



richard james states satie as a big influence on him - so i
imagine that is the nearest to a confirmation so far - the
piano pieces certainly do convey a similar ambience
as the abstract gnossiennes (1889-1897) of satie. satie
(1866-1925)


 

offline corngrower from the fertile grounds of Iowa, w (United States) on 2002-03-04 20:13 [#00111412]
Points: 4404 Status: Lurker



I just can't get over how great Ziggomatic v17 is. In my
mind, this track just stands out so much from the rest of
the album. I don't like the piano tracks, either.


 

offline Ophecks from Nova Scotia (Canada) on 2002-03-04 20:15 [#00111422]
Points: 19190 Status: Moderator | Show recordbag



Ziggomatic has about a million little moments that make me
want to backtrack a few seconds to hear it again and again.
It's just MADNESS!!! It also has some boring parts that I
don't like, though... but the many brilliant little things
that happen in that track make up for it.


 

offline RobE from London (United Kingdom) on 2002-03-04 20:24 [#00111450]
Points: 1608 Status: Regular



"Drukqs" does it all over MY stereo.... }:>


 

offline REFLEX from Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) on 2002-03-04 20:41 [#00111491]
Points: 8864 Status: Regular



"Even the people that dont like Drukqs have to admit the
songs kick ass" WHAT? NO. I disliked Drukqs alot. ALOT. I
dont think these songs kick ass, iam very dissapointed by
this AFX release.


 

offline corngrower from the fertile grounds of Iowa, w (United States) on 2002-03-04 20:43 [#00111493]
Points: 4404 Status: Lurker



Yeah, usually if you don't like an album it's because you
don't like the songs.


 

offline flea from depths of your mind (New Zealand) on 2002-03-04 20:43 [#00111494]
Points: 9083 Status: Regular | Followup to The_Funkmaster: #00111128



ya changin ya tune here funky boy?


 

offline recycle from Where is Phobiazero (Lincoln) (United States) on 2002-03-04 20:43 [#00111495]
Points: 39976 Status: Regular



if you dont like drukqs and averthing afx has done you suck
!!!!!!!


 

offline REFLEX from Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) on 2002-03-04 20:44 [#00111499]
Points: 8864 Status: Regular



I love his old stuff, not Drukqs.... even 2 Remixes was
great.... Drukqs bored the hell out of me.


 

offline corngrower from the fertile grounds of Iowa, w (United States) on 2002-03-04 20:44 [#00111501]
Points: 4404 Status: Lurker



no, if you like everything an artist puts out JUST because
it's that artist, you suck


 

offline recycle from Where is Phobiazero (Lincoln) (United States) on 2002-03-04 20:46 [#00111506]
Points: 39976 Status: Regular



no.............i think everything ive ever heard of his is
wonderful........

relfex-you didnt like drukqs?
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh


 

offline REFLEX from Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) on 2002-03-04 20:47 [#00111508]
Points: 8864 Status: Regular



recycle::. yes... I did not enjoy Drukqs... much at all. I
thought it to be VERY boring.


 

offline recycle from Where is Phobiazero (Lincoln) (United States) on 2002-03-04 20:51 [#00111514]
Points: 39976 Status: Regular



ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
its great buddy


 

offline Darth manchu from Cambridge (United Kingdom) on 2002-03-04 20:52 [#00111517]
Points: 1897 Status: Regular



I like drukqs, but i think he still has his best to release.
Or he may just keep it to himself.

That said, i much prefer Go plastic. Squarepusher drill n
bass is much better than aphex drill n bass.


 

offline Frag from New Jersey (United States) on 2002-03-06 00:22 [#00113358]
Points: 1024 Status: Lurker



I thought it was Peace, bitch...

and the piano tracks are fake. He said in some interview
that they were done on a laptop, my guess is the other ones
were done the same way, but sound like a prepared piano.


 


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