I have, since then, been able to come up with a genre name for RDJ's music: "smart-as." Yes, that is the only way to describe what he does. Come to Daddy let him out-Prodigy Prodigy, Windowlicker let him out-blaxploit the rap community.. I shudder to think of what he'll do next.

Flim and IZ-US are wonderfull... it harkens back to his Selected Ambient Work days, and "BBB" and "Funny Little Man" have that "RDJ Album" experimental-to-the-edge-of-sanity feel to them.

My girlfriend is mortified of the way he uses his/children's voices. I'm inclined to agree, but it's so tongue in cheek, it's silly. "CTD (pappy)" is like nothing he's ever done, and nothing he will ever do again. RDJ never has and never will take himself seriously. kudos for him.

If you've never heard aphex, start here, it's a good introduction (and pretty cheap, too).


Vintage RDJ   January 22, 2002
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Many of these reviews have made me angry. This is one of RDJ's best compiliations to date, despite it's status as an EP. I will go through each track and tell you why.

"Come to Daddy Pappy Mix" may come off as just a harsh rip-off of Prodigy at first listen, but the beats are great and the energy level is through the roof. The ending is the best part.

"Flim" is indeed an excellent song. When I first heard it, I was inspired by its melodic simplicty and its modified drumset beats. However, most of the reviews say this song is the highlight and it's not. After about 6 or 7 listenings, "Flim" gets a bit boring.

"Lord Fauntleroy Remix" is very cool. The beats are sort of like two-step hip-hop and the voices are infectious. I especially like the ending when you hear the low, man's voice get all waivery and choked up. It makes me laugh out loud when I hear it with my friends.

The best song on this album is "Bucephalus Bouncing Ball." It is simply an electronic/percussive marvel. The song is structured so it has distinct sections, not unlike a classical composition. All the rhythms are created by RDJ bouncing different sized balls into a modulator. For those of you who like the beginning of this song and dont like the "noisy" 2nd half, screw you all. The 2nd half is sublime. If you people had any sort of internal beat, you would notice that the time never stops. Try tapping your foot to the tempo throughout the whole song and you'll see what I mean. I am a drummer and to me, this is pure genius.

"To Cure a Weakling Child" is sorta cool but I've heard it before on Richard D. James. Many people like this tune but the melody just doesn't do it for me, although I still listen to it in it's entirety.

"Funny Little Man" is very interesting at first listen. The harpsicord and weird bass line is harmonically complex and the child's voice is disturbing but very melodic, almost like a horn. It does get very tiresome after a while. I admit that i skip over the track when I hear it.

"Mummy Mix" is really cool. I know I'm one of the only ones who thinks so but hear me out. Depite the absence of melody, the rhythms are just awesome. The high pitched sine waves that can be heard towards the beginning create this soundscape that makes me close my eyes and rock my head to the beat. Also, like "Bouncing Ball" you can't appreciate these rhythms without keeping an internal beat or tapping your foot to the song. The only drawback to this song are those loud 4 in a row pulses that appear halfway through until the end. Other than that, good tune.

"IZ-US" is a great way to end the album. It is a big change of pace and is very mellow for RDJ. It sorta reminds me of something off of Moby's "Play."
This EP is an important aspect of RDJ's work. It is just as innovative as his self-titled effort but he tones down the harsh chirps and squeeks so that the music can be appreciated without lowering the volume. Go out and buy this now!


Richard D. James is ahead of his time   October 15, 1999
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

In comparing Aphex Twin with Underworld, both transmit flashes of genius. But Aphex Twin goes off into territory that has never even been imagined; mostly techno, though some borders on (believe it or not) contemporary classical. Hey, the guy collaborated with Philip Glass ... how far off could I be? In any case, the real prize in Come To Daddy is the companion video of the title track, produced by Chris Cunningham (Madonna's "Frozen", Squarepusher's "Come On My Selector", and Aphex Twin's "Windowlicker"). If you have not yet seen it, go check it out. No other director has interpreted a nightmare onto film in such a short time span quite like Cunningham (RDJ's roommate). The rest of the CD delivers, and leaves you craving more new material ... stay tuned ...


aphex twin's best cd...   August 9, 2001
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

i know it sounds strange, and i am a bit reluctant to say it, as this will be the first time, but: this artist's best album is an EP. it's true though. tracks like "Come To Daddy, Pappy Mix," "To Cure A Weakling Child, Countour Regard," "IZ-US," "Buchepalus Bouncing Ball," and "Flim" are excellent. Tracks like "Come To Daddy, Little Lord Faulteroy Mix" and "Funny Little Man" have strange warped voices that sound like kids and are a bit disturbing at times ("Funny Little Man"- "i... would... like... to... suck... you... up... the... bunghole...")... but it is an excellent album and although it is an EP, you can't find any track on any other albums. it is not quite as annoying as "Richard D. James Album" and not as boring as "Selected Ambient Works Vol. 2". Go and buy this album today!!


Superficial and numbing   December 3, 2005
 4 out of 32 found this review helpful

Superficial and numbing...

But that's maybe how you want to feel when you listen to it.

To me it's music that doesn't tell you ANYTHING.

It's like one BIG joke or maybe that's what it's meant to be.

Music that lacks soul or emotion.

Or maybe I just don't get it.

A lot of my friends rave about it so I've given it ago but...

Whats it ALL about anyway??

It just sounds frustrated and stunted. Music that doesn't really go anywhere or say anything..