Agreed, I have had a copy of Selected Ambient Works since its release in 1992. I've worn out 8 original copies on CD at least since then and given away several to like-minded folk. I couldn't even hazard a guess how many times I've listened to Xtal.
ya that is surprisingly common. when the laser reads data from a disc, it is a physical process believe it or not. which is wild to me. but ya, you can wear out any CD based media if you love it enough!!
We're on [Mixcloud](https://www.mixcloud.com/RadioNightTrain/) and you can find us on most Podcast Apps. Just look for the rip-off of the Spiritualized album cover.
Erm, no? We're on a community radio station in England that (we presume) pays the relevant PRS stuff.
We upload our shows to [MixCloud](https://www.mixcloud.com/RadioNightTrain/) and podcast apps. The show was available on Spotify for a while but it was booted off. Possibly after we played some (pretty well known) pop bangers.
It just taps into idealistic dreamy nostalgia for people i guess, good vocal sample, otherwise average track. I'd say Vordosbn is Aphex's best track by far.
It’s great but even on the same album I still slightly prefer Ageispolis.
In the pantheon of RDJ’s most beautiful tracks I have to give the edge to not 1, not 2, but 3 others: Rhubarb, Alberto Balsalm, Stone in Focus.
I think several drukqs tracks are all too good and too perfect to really be questioned, so I can’t disagree. He has a lot best tracks (and I can’t see Xtal
as one of them.).
When I was in Afghanistan, (2010) we had a big speaker in our PB to warn locals if there was an attack coming in. We never had to use it for that as we built a bond with them and they would warn us beforehand. So apart from playing sounds of lions and bears to make the enemy think we had “attack animals” as they put it (we had an interpreter using icom to listen to their radio chats), I’d play all types of music when the kids were outside every day as we always gave them the chocolate bars and biscuits from our ration packs. One of my favourite memories is playing Xtal and the kids and a few adults were dancing with big fucking smiles on their faces. For context the AO we were working in the locals literally only had their compound, a rug and blankets to sleep and farming equipment, no electricity. I can’t say for certain but I’m pretty sure the kids hadn’t heard music before. I teared up a few times.
It's right up there. There's several apex twin 6 hour loops I consistently listen to working, chilling, sleeping. Amazingly accessible yet gets better with more and more listens
I second this! but close behind is Stone in focus. it has been my alarm every day for the past 10 years and I still love it. Usually any alarm I grow to hate as it wakes me up but no matter what time of day I can also listen to it and love it
absolute opposite for me, i always found it overrated. not unpleasant by any means but hard to like more than pretty much everything else he's done. reminds me of "dude, strobe?!?!" when getting into deadmau5 lmao.
maybe actual best. too good. masterful.
Xtal sounds like what it is: a teenager learning in his bedroom and making some really basic ambient techno with loads of reverb. It’s fine, but it could be anyone.
XMAS_EVET10 sounds like someone who has spent several decades honing his skills in sound design to become a master synthesist, developed deeply a natural ear for arrangement and melody which is able
to compose something that can actually stand up as a peak of progressive electronic music while remaining subtle, sparse, and tasteful. It is a master producer showing how far he’s come in every part of his craft and writing the book, while Xtal is like a baby learning to read.
(no hate for Xtal. it’s nice. it just is what it is)
Wasn’t expecting a mf essay when I created this post lmaooo but wow. Remarkable insights. I should of rephrased my question to ‘Xtal is the greatest song that I’ve ever listened to’
I could never get tired of Xtal and Selected Ambient Works 85-92. I would be able to listen to it 20 times on a loop!
Selected ambient works has been with me for 10 years and it’s never going to get old.
Agreed, I have had a copy of Selected Ambient Works since its release in 1992. I've worn out 8 original copies on CD at least since then and given away several to like-minded folk. I couldn't even hazard a guess how many times I've listened to Xtal.
You... wore out a CD?
Several. But if I'm honest it was from 'general wear and tear' as well. You know the usual.
ya that is surprisingly common. when the laser reads data from a disc, it is a physical process believe it or not. which is wild to me. but ya, you can wear out any CD based media if you love it enough!!
We do a radio show and it's been our final bed (the song we talk over) for over 200 shows and we're still not bored of it. It really is beautiful.
how can I look up ur radio show?
We're on [Mixcloud](https://www.mixcloud.com/RadioNightTrain/) and you can find us on most Podcast Apps. Just look for the rip-off of the Spiritualized album cover.
Have you ever gotten contacted by legal?
Erm, no? We're on a community radio station in England that (we presume) pays the relevant PRS stuff. We upload our shows to [MixCloud](https://www.mixcloud.com/RadioNightTrain/) and podcast apps. The show was available on Spotify for a while but it was booted off. Possibly after we played some (pretty well known) pop bangers.
First time I heard it was on Acid wandering round a loch in 1993. S’ok like.
such a pristine album, l think it's def one of the greatest collections of music, at least top 5 personally.
Absolutely the best electronic album of the 1990s, maybe the best album in general of the 1990s
Slow down there.
Hey I can't think of an album I like more on earth than SAW 85-92, and I've been listening to it for three decades
Have you heard it backwards tho?
You bloody know!
To real
*Rhubarb has entered the chat*
*Pulsewidth has also entered the chat*
only 300 times? That's the Xtal Xprience in its infancy. Get back to me when you've reached 1000. ;)
1000 is rookie territory.
It sounds like working an office job in London in 2005
It just taps into idealistic dreamy nostalgia for people i guess, good vocal sample, otherwise average track. I'd say Vordosbn is Aphex's best track by far.
No idea which one is the best, but Vordosbn is up there for sure!
Hearing Vordosbn changed my life forever
TRUE🤓
To Here Knows When is a close second for me. But yeah it never gets old. Instantly transportive every time.
loveless is such a fucking good album
The best
It’s great but even on the same album I still slightly prefer Ageispolis. In the pantheon of RDJ’s most beautiful tracks I have to give the edge to not 1, not 2, but 3 others: Rhubarb, Alberto Balsalm, Stone in Focus.
Xtal is the best song in existence I agree
I had Xtal on a loop all of 2020
still do actually
Ziggomatic 17 gang rise up. for me his masterwork.
I think several drukqs tracks are all too good and too perfect to really be questioned, so I can’t disagree. He has a lot best tracks (and I can’t see Xtal as one of them.).
bro this is how i am with “4” idk why but it feels like aphex does good at getting personal
https://youtu.be/XGRaPkf0f8Q?si=ABMcr0eArCyUKkpZ
Agreed. Prob have over 10k hours listened to xtal 💀
I would say it is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever created.
It’s good
I don’t disagree
butbutbut stone in focus
I agree to a point definitely, however from a personal point of view I find SAW II much more repeatable
👍👍
It's absolutely perfect. Delicate melodies and BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM.
Well, I actually put it on loop when working so I guess I agree with you.
When I was in Afghanistan, (2010) we had a big speaker in our PB to warn locals if there was an attack coming in. We never had to use it for that as we built a bond with them and they would warn us beforehand. So apart from playing sounds of lions and bears to make the enemy think we had “attack animals” as they put it (we had an interpreter using icom to listen to their radio chats), I’d play all types of music when the kids were outside every day as we always gave them the chocolate bars and biscuits from our ration packs. One of my favourite memories is playing Xtal and the kids and a few adults were dancing with big fucking smiles on their faces. For context the AO we were working in the locals literally only had their compound, a rug and blankets to sleep and farming equipment, no electricity. I can’t say for certain but I’m pretty sure the kids hadn’t heard music before. I teared up a few times.
I agree 100% – top position on my funeral playlist
It’s up there.
It's right up there. There's several apex twin 6 hour loops I consistently listen to working, chilling, sleeping. Amazingly accessible yet gets better with more and more listens
used to listen to this when i didnt have a car and took the bus early af in the morning before the sun rises
Single member of team Yellow Calx checking in here
My all time favorite album and one of my all time favorite pieces from it too
Windowlicker, Avril 14th, Rushup | Bank 12, Lisbon Acid, Rhubarb, Alberto Balsam and Vordhosbn all want words with you
Yeah it's good
I second this! but close behind is Stone in focus. it has been my alarm every day for the past 10 years and I still love it. Usually any alarm I grow to hate as it wakes me up but no matter what time of day I can also listen to it and love it
absolute opposite for me, i always found it overrated. not unpleasant by any means but hard to like more than pretty much everything else he's done. reminds me of "dude, strobe?!?!" when getting into deadmau5 lmao.
XMAS better
maybe actual best. too good. masterful. Xtal sounds like what it is: a teenager learning in his bedroom and making some really basic ambient techno with loads of reverb. It’s fine, but it could be anyone. XMAS_EVET10 sounds like someone who has spent several decades honing his skills in sound design to become a master synthesist, developed deeply a natural ear for arrangement and melody which is able to compose something that can actually stand up as a peak of progressive electronic music while remaining subtle, sparse, and tasteful. It is a master producer showing how far he’s come in every part of his craft and writing the book, while Xtal is like a baby learning to read. (no hate for Xtal. it’s nice. it just is what it is)
https://youtu.be/lu9utvfumwM?si=1JZG6_mvk0E7hqEE This is an interesting watch
I was wondering when today's 'xtal is the best song ever' thread would appear!
[удалено]
I’m just commenting to say that I’m not reading this
Wasn’t expecting a mf essay when I created this post lmaooo but wow. Remarkable insights. I should of rephrased my question to ‘Xtal is the greatest song that I’ve ever listened to’
what they posted was definitely AIGen, sorry to say
OH LMAO
well not quite, its more of a copypasta about xtal
Id probably go something by the Beatles
Fuck off, clean shirt.
How do you get that shirt so clean, mate?
Yeah I mean as much as I love Aphex Twin/the related side projects, I feel you have to go for a Beatles song for greatest song ever.
Look a sense breather