Chosen Lords - Aphex Twin
Metascore
81 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 19
  2. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. 91
    Recall[s] his greatest '90s-electronica work. [May 2006, p.91]
  2. 90
    Untouchable. [Jun 2006, p.117]
  3. The Analord series... proved that James was still capable of brilliance -- not just scattered brilliance, but consistently excellent and occasionally stupendous work.
  4. The dark malevolent genius of "Windowlicker" may be lacking, but Richard D. James still walks that line between the accessible and the downright filthy.
  5. 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.
  6. 80
    When it comes to making smart, mischievous electronic merry, no one can touch him. [May 2006, p.105]
  7. 80
    Without the scuffed overload of his teenage releases, it's obvious that these are newly minted. [May 2006, p.98]
  8. 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]
  9. 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.
  10. Rather than slashing and burning through new territory, Chosen Lords merits attention as a charismatic history chronicling the evolution of James' musical identities.
  11. A brilliant collection of spanking, multi-layered tunes.
  12. Over the course of 10 tracks and 56 minutes, Aphex Twin proves that music can be memorable without hooks or readily identifiable melodies.
  13. Even if everything here is already familiar to Analord watchers, it's a welcome return.
  14. 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.
  15. 'Chosen Lords' is proof of Aphex Twin's uncommonly rude health, artistically-speaking. [15 Apr 2006, p.33]
  16. It's a step backwards for sure, but a worthwhile one.
  17. 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]
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. PostModernVancouverBowie
    10
    Aphex Twin remains musics most creative artist. He has been musics most advanced artist for 15 years now and is simply untouchable!
  2. 10
    A brilliant piece of work compiling the best tracks off of the Analord series. It's my personal favorite Aphex Twin album and will always have a special place in my musical collection. Highlights: "Fenix Funk 5," "Crying in Your Face," "Boxing Day," "Klopjob" Full Review »
  3. Komatsu
    10
    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. Full Review »