Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Colour:
Image not available

 

Selected Ambient Works Volume II [CD]

Aphex Twin Audio CD
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.



Amazon's Aphex Twin Store

Music

Image of album by Aphex Twin

Photos

Image of Aphex Twin
Visit Amazon's Aphex Twin Store
for 51 albums, 4 photos, discussions, and more.

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought


Product details

  • Audio CD (1 Jan 2001)
  • Number of Discs: 2
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Warp
  • ASIN: B000024C6W
  • Other Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 52,310 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

1. Untitled
2. Untitled
3. Untitled
4. Untitled
5. Untitled
6. Untitled
7. Untitled
8. Untitled
9. Untitled
10. Untitled
11. Untitled
12. Untitled
13. Untitled
14. Untitled
15. Untitled
16. Untitled
17. Untitled
18. Untitled
19. Untitled
20. Untitled
See all 23 tracks on this disc

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk

British electronics wunderkind Richard James (alias Aphex Twin, AFX, Polygon Window, etc.) claims he heard the compositions on Selected Ambient Works, Volume II in lucid dreams. Like abstract paintings composed of shades of a single colour, James's resonant explorations of specific timbres linger close to a central idea on each cut, incorporating just enough variation to remain disturbing. While its predecessor, Selected Ambient Works '85-'92 drew on seven years worth of material, the uniform quality of these untitled tracks, plus their judicious sequencing, suggests they were assembled over a shorter period. Clocking in at over 150 minutes, the double-disc set (if this is "selected", how many hours of outtakes remain?) provides an exemplary introduction to the quieter facets of James's expansive, idiosyncratic aesthetic. --Kurt B. Reighley

Product Description

This CD has untitled tracks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars One for the discerning fans 19 Feb 2004
Format:Audio CD
I only recently got into Aphex Twin; having heard Selected Ambient Works Volume 1 and deciding that it was one of the best albums I had ever heard, I went out and got this, 26 Mixes for Cash and the Come to Daddy mini-album. What I particularly like about Richard James' work is the variation. The music he produces differs greatly from album to album but I have not been disappointed by any tracks I have listened to. What struck about this album is that is far less accessible that others I have listened to, but as such far more rewarding. Two hours of ambient music is a lot, but if you really listen the changes in the music are very subtle and clever indeed. The first CD is slightly reminiscent of SAW vol.1 but with more continuity between the tracks and, if its possible, a more ambient chilled out synth feel to it. CD 2 encompasses some industrial sounds and haunting vibes of the sort you would not want to listen to on your own in a wood at night. Actually quite scary even in the daytime. If you really take time over this album, its subtleties and quality will become clear, and this is far more rewarding than those wear the strength of tracks are immediately obvious. In short, if you really like your music, and like what you have heard from Aphex Twin then this is the album for you - it is not a good entry point to his music for someone who has never experienced it before. Try SAW vol. 1 for this; I did and I was hooked! Warp is a quality label - check out their other stuff for great beats from Prefuse 73, Autreche, Squarepusher, Nightmares on Wax and Anti-Pop Consortium to name just a few.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolute Peace....and Terror 29 April 2005
Format:Audio CD
Well, I am about to buy Aphex Twins SAW2, for the second time. I bought it first pretty much when it had just come out, on audio tape. A friend and I sat down to listen to it on his dads hifi in an acoustically treated room, and we were amazed, we just sat there chilling out for the whole album, letting our minds wander with the highs and lows of the moods it gives you. Not once did we think of stopping it, in fact we barely spoke for the whole of it. Obviously we had to turn the tape over, but my friend was sitting next to the deck so it didnt intrude too much on our ascension.
However before buying this understand it isnt ambient music in the way you normally imagine (think Orbs early stuff) but is a state of mind instead. It isnt like tranquility music featuring whales and dolphins etc, its mostly electro stuff, although im sure some of it is sounds from objects mucked around. But it doesnt have beat patterns or anything like that. Its designed to allow your mind to ponder, and is especially good at inducing alternative dreams (nice, odd, or in one case terrifying!)if listened to late at night.
On the whole, you cannot go wrong if you have an open mind toward sound, not just towards music.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Enigmatic to the core 9 Jun 2007
Format:Audio CD
This is without doubt one of the most interesting albums I have ever heard. There is something going on here, what it is? I am not sure but it is a very spooky and eeire trip. There is a conjuring of sounds that seem to be beaming in from other planets and the inner space within our minds. There is the sound of foreboding, isolation and darkness. That is why I have given this record 3 stars, I find this music sends me to a place that I am not sure I feel happy in. It can leave you cold.

Music like this should be applauded as I doubt there is another record like this in existence. Absoloutly original and unique and almost terrifying. It will haunt parts of your mind and soul.

I have always been a huge fan of Richard James. I think his music is genius but I have always approached this album with something of uncertainty and a mild dislike. I have attempted on many occasions to try and understand this album, but mostly I come away confused and depressed at the experience.

2 years on from my 3 star review (and about 8 years since I bought it) I have to give this a 5 Gold Stars. One of the reasons is something will keep drawing you back, its like when the record ends a part of your brain says '' Your work here is not done my friend and I know you will come back to have another go''. There is something other-worldly about it. It might sound odd but there is almost a kind of magic to this album. Richard James said this album sounds like standing in a power station tripping on LSD, I think that pretty much sums it up. Though you might as well add UFOs, paganisim, the birth of the universe, travelling to outerspace, life after death experiences and cold winter sunsets into the equation too.

This music has only one limitation and that is your imagination.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?   Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Woohoo!
This is a fantastic album and sounds even better on record. I was pleased with the price. The item arrived fairly quickly and is in perfect condition. Thanks for this chaps
Published 17 days ago by Emma Preston
5.0 out of 5 stars Mindscape
I am a definite latecomer to the mind bending music of Aphex Twin but feel none the worse for it as the sounds he weaves haven't dated at all. Read more
Published 29 days ago by Brian Hamilton
5.0 out of 5 stars Great to get new copies of old vinyl
It was great to get a perfect copy of an album that has been out a while on vinyl and it arrived in plenty of time for Christmas. The album is one of my favourites of Aphex Twin. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Sweetie1999
5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece
I have listened to this album more than any other I own. It is the soundtrack to so many nights and has been there with me through good times and bad. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mandy
5.0 out of 5 stars Viciously scary soundscapes
This album has to be heard to belive, such a amazing piece of work, something about this albums really scares me, i dont think i can listen at this at night without the lights on,... Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2009 by Shaun Dimery
4.0 out of 5 stars blissful tranquility
I've bought a fair few albums from the master who is Richard D James, and nothing is quite like this one. Start to finish it's flowing, ethereal tranquility. Read more
Published on 20 Sep 2008 by mookster
1.0 out of 5 stars You must be joking
I bought Ambient Works with no preconceptions about the artist, completely objectively, and unburdened by fan loyalty. I read the reviews on here and took a punt. Read more
Published on 2 Jun 2008 by Darren Oldfield
4.0 out of 5 stars ooooooooooooiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Aside from a few select tracks, Selected Ambient Works Vol. II presents itself as a sort of anti-music; the sequencing goes into the red far too often and nothing on it sounds... Read more
Published on 11 Feb 2008 by 77
5.0 out of 5 stars unidentified emotions
I'm not going to write a full review but I just wanted to add my voice to the masses in praise of this... Read more
Published on 2 Dec 2007 by Mr. A. A. Upton
4.0 out of 5 stars Electronic atmospheres
This is a remarkable album. Aphex Twin (AKA Richard D James) clearly has synaesthesia, a condtion where your senses overlap, so that you "see" sounds, attach feelings and emotions... Read more
Published on 22 Nov 2006 by Mike Cormack
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
Selected Ambient Works Vol.2 1 15 May 2011
See all discussions...  
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
   
Related forums


What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Listmania!


Look for similar items by category


Feedback