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| | Surfing on Sine Waves | | | Music Artist : | | Polygon Window | | Music Style : | | General | | Record Label : | | Warp Records | | Release Date : | | 2001-03-20 | | Store Price : | | $13.98 | | Artistopia's Price: $13.98 | | Usually ships in 24 hours | | |
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CD Tracks/Songs
Disc 11. Polygon Window
2. Audax Powder
3. Quoth
4. If It Really Is Me
5. Supremacy II
6. Dot
7. Quixote
8. Portreath Harbour
9. Redruth School
10. Quino-Phec
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Other Artist Albums
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Customer Reviews of This Album/CD |
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 A Monolithic Milestone
Submitted on: 2009-02-03 |
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This is a definitive acid-house album. If I am mistaken, if this is not true acid-house, then understand that this album only defines MY understanding of the genre. Basically, if this isn't acid-house, then I don't know what is. This record sounds so influential, so classic, like it was recorded at the dawn of existence yet still remains relevant to this day because it is the documented sounds of a prehistoric epoch. It sounds dated, but that's the magic of it. It sounds timeless, really. So whether it was aping someone else or someone else subsequently aped it, I don't know. All I know is that it has certainly left a mark on me.
But enough nostalgia.
The music contained herein is classic Richard D. James alien ambient acid techno, which makes sense since this is essentially his first full-length release. In that respect, it sounds uncannily similar to the first installment of Analogue Bubblebath, specifically "Isopropophlex". The entire album is drenched in reverb to the effect that it sounds like a transmission beamed directly from a Zeta Reticuli rave. It's HARD, very percussive, with paranoid melodies, but it definitely has the same mood as early Aphex. Most songs are just straightforward ravers with that unmistakable Aphex melancholy. Their concept may be simple and somewhat homogenized by now, but the magnificent execution distinguishes these tracks from anything else out there.
Some songs, like "Quoth", are downright clanging clatter. However, Surfing On Sine Waves manages to remain compelling throughout by sturdily walking the tight rope above the pitfall of experimentalist noodling. It won't sound too poppy to hardcore veterans of Madchester, yet it won't frighten the uninitiated. I myself have grown up in the insularity of the boondocks, and I still find this release enthralling. ...but maybe that's why I'm so ecstatic about it; I have yet to really be exposed to the more arcane genres like techstep or illbient.
Whatever.
Whether it's a milestone or a pebble, it is an entirely solid album, and sometimes just achieving that is innovation enough.
If you still need a reason to purchase this, I'll give you a reason: "Quino-Phec ", the coda, is ambient in a way that S.A.W. vol. II wanted to be. And considering the magnificent splendor of S.A.W. vol. II, that's saying ALOT. |
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 Not among the Twins best classics, though textbook OK
Submitted on: 2007-08-31 |
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| The man whom I consider quite possibly the greatest electronic artist around developed many alter egos to pursue various styles amongst his amazing arsenal of personalized sonics. Polygon Window was one such project Richard James (better known as Aphex Twin) took on to help further his sound from the rough, metallic onslaughts of earlier AFX work to what would become his breakthrough in a few years with I Care Because You Do. Surfing on Sine Waves is a nice bridge, echoing some of his earlier ambient flourishes as well. By no means spectacular like some of his later work, the album still has not dated as much as I would have thought, and in between the more formulaic methodology remains a distinctive sound and textural depth that alone belong to Mr. James. |
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 Boring
Submitted on: 2006-07-10 |
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I cant say i especially like any of the songs on this album. All of them are incredibly repetitive.
If you like aphex's repetitive stuff, buy it, otherwise buy one of his better albums, like Richard D. James or Drukqs |
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See through the window
Submitted on: 2005-08-09 |
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| Don't listen to the bad hype, this album is amazing, it's become one of my favorites, Quixote proves it all, theres something very mysterious about this album it'll take you far away.. |
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 Better than the Aphex Twin "..I care because you do" and
Submitted on: 2004-12-25 |
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"Richard D James Album" releases for this 'punter'. It is almost worth 4 and 1/2 stars - as is the 'Selected Ambient Works 85-92' Aphex Twin album.
As far as standout tracks go:
1) 'Polygon Window' - is a great first track, pretty laid back for RDJ
2) 'Audax Powder' - has a great jaunty vibe and is equal to the best tracks on the Aphex Twin albums mentioned above
3) 'Quoth' - was a forerunner of the driven 'punchy, syncopated beats' style perfected by Autechre and seen elsewhere in the RDJ ouevre. Great track!
5) 'Supremacy II' - another Ae precursor, this track sizzles!
6) 'UT1-dot' - another jaunty romp, with a 'spacy' development
7) untitled - insistent and 'in your face', constantly seeming to build to an unconsummated climax, brilliantly dissolving into nothingness. One of my favourite RDJ tracks and like another reviewer said, by far the best on this album
8) 'Quixote' - more spacy, spooky and chilled out, a great foil to Track 7
10) 'Redruth School' - bright, bouncy and buoyant - beautiful!
For me, this album has an 'innocence' missing in much of the later RDJ ouevre. I find a lot of his music a bit too clever, bordering on pretentious at times. There is often is a lack of an emotional core for me, which is a pity, 'cos he has a prodigious talent! 'Sine Waves' is a highpoint in Richard D James' career, along with the 'Selected Ambient...' album mentioned above.
This is an excellent album and is well worth its modest cost!
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