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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

Chosen Lords
by Aphex Twin


8.8

based on 19 reviews
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How did we calculate this?

based on 19 votes
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Drukqs

Rephlex

This ten-track album compiles versions of songs first released in 2005 as AFX's "Analord" series of (quite expensive) vinyl singles.

LABEL:	Rephlex
RELEASE DATE:	18 April 2006
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Electronic

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Spin

Recall[s] his greatest '90s-electronica work. [May 2006, p.91]

Urb

Untouchable. [Jun 2006, p.117]

All Music Guide

The Analord series... proved that James was still capable of brilliance -- not just scattered brilliance, but consistently excellent and occasionally stupendous work.

Dot Music

The dark malevolent genius of "Windowlicker" may be lacking, but Richard D. James still walks that line between the accessible and the downright filthy.

Observer Music Monthly

A brilliant collection of spanking, multi-layered tunes.

Playlouder

No-one makes gizmos and machines prong like fruity tuning forks as well as this man, nor do they construct such vivid atmospherics with such cunning simplicity.

The Guardian

James may not have broken new ground here - much of Analord is redolent of his earlier work - but this should satisfy his followers until he decides to become Aphex again.

Tiny Mix Tapes

Rather than slashing and burning through new territory, Chosen Lords merits attention as a charismatic history chronicling the evolution of James' musical identities.

Q Magazine

It's true that none of the tracks here quite scale the heights reached early in his career.... But... James is at least trying to move beyond what he's achieved already. [May 2006, p.124]

Uncut

Without the scuffed overload of his teenage releases, it's obvious that these are newly minted. [May 2006, p.98]

Mojo

When it comes to making smart, mischievous electronic merry, no one can touch him. [May 2006, p.105]

PopMatters

Over the course of 10 tracks and 56 minutes, Aphex Twin proves that music can be memorable without hooks or readily identifiable melodies.

Pitchfork

Even if everything here is already familiar to Analord watchers, it's a welcome return.

cokemachineglow

Chosen Lords is... a nostalgic, fun listen for longtime fans and suitable point for new listeners to become acquainted with Aphex Twin’s twisted catalogue.

BBC collective

It’s a step backwards for sure, but a worthwhile one.

The Wire

There's less sense of puzzle and struggle than we're used to with Aphex Twin... but Chosen Lords is certainly meticulous and absorbing. [#266, p.51]

Almost Cool

There are several places where the disc seems to lapse into very familiar territory, and at other times it definitely feels like it's coasting a bit.

New Musical Express

'Chosen Lords' is proof of Aphex Twin's uncommonly rude health, artistically-speaking. [15 Apr 2006, p.33]

Dusted Magazine

Really, these songs are dance tunes, and the proper place for them is in a club at high volume. Listening to them at home is, to be honest, somewhat disappointing and perhaps does the tracks a disfavor, because they're not that detailed.

The average user rating for this album is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 19 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Komatsu gave it a10:
One more time..another beauty work by James with amazing music atmosphere and rythme.there's no doubt that, once again, Richard D. James well deserves his electronic ermine.

ppllr fake gave it an8:
Surprisingly, this CD does not have the best of the analord series in my opinion. He's missing mydoom vbs.redloff, or something along those lines

Rick W gave it an8:
A great collection of tunes. I was not taken on first listen, but what a grower. Some absolute gems that you just have to move about to!

mike s. gave it a6:
nothing new to the genre, actually kind of a step backwards for aphex twin, yet, aphex twin sort of needed to get back to the basics. However the production is not fresh and is uninspired and that is what holds this album back.

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
one of the best

Ray L gave it an8:
very similar to his early work, even though its referenced on the analord series. The tracks, tunes, and beats clearly have the afx signature, even though i expected more brilliance, like in his 90's work. never the less richard D james never siezes to amaze me.

Tom R gave it a9:
Certainly not his best album, but it's really good.

Chosen Lords by Aphex Twin

Chosen Lords
by Aphex Twin