Aphex Twin not creepy

Depending on whom you talk to, Richard James, better known as Aphex Twin, is either the founding genius of a new musical form or a creepy man who likes posting his face on the most inappropriate images. Let's try and concentrate on the former, shall we?

Famously the progenitor of the musical style known as intelligent dance music, Aphex Twin is still the presiding king of electronic music. But his output lately has been considerably more difficult for his more casual fans to enjoy. Until now.

With Chosen Lords, his first full album since 2001, James departs from his long vinyl-only Analords series, which didn't even see proper digital release. The new record is 10 tracks culled from the 11 LPs that made up the series and is touted as the album that James wanted to make from the very beginning.

It's a purposeful release, welded together by the masterful wizardry of James' legendary ear and a treat for fans both old and new.

Fortunately for longtime fans, and even more so for those whose vinyl collection is a bit lacking, Chosen Lords is an excellent composition, delving into deep, intricately structured meanderings through a world of minimalist IDM and acid-tinged techno. With the 10 tracks spanning more than an hour of music, the record manages both to maintain a consistent theme and explore many different avenues of sound.

The man who once brought us the tongue-in-cheek playfulness of "Flim" and "Girlboy Song" seems to revel in darker music now, forgoing a lot of the lighter tones found on earlier releases. It almost seems more internal, insular.

James has retreated deep into the compositional elements, and the complicated structures of songs like "Klopjob" or "Pitcard" demand a highly attentive listener. Ambient noises and melodies meld together or become distinct, begging a carefully conditioned response from the audience.

More of a theorist than a showman, James gives us works rather than songs -- compositions that are capable of expressing perplexing ideas and conveying a system of aesthetics behind the electronic music.

But that's not to say that it's not enjoyable. While some tracks tend to be more cerebral than others, the beats behind "Fenix Funk" or "Boxing Day" exhibit an artist who still knows how to make a catchy piece of music.

Although Chosen Lords is an album more likely to be enjoyed on headphones than on the dance floor, fans of Aphex Twin everywhere have cause to celebrate. Richard James is still at his apex, still commanding the genre of music he is near-solely responsible for creating.

Reach Intermission reporter Jeff Echert at [url='mailto:jeffechert@thedaily.washington.edu']jeffechert@thedaily.washington.edu[/url].