Drukqs
by Aphex Twin
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. AllMusic
    60
    Aside from all the criticism, the previously unreleased musings of Aphex Twin are still far more intriguing and solid than most producers' best releases.
  2. Billboard
    60
    Much of "Drukqs" sounds like two different albums competing and thus canceling each other out.... An ambitious but ultimately failed experiment.
  3. Blender
    60
    Odd, ambitious, confounding, and occasionally brilliant -- which is to say it's much like the five Aphex albums that preceded it. [#4, p.114]
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  5. HOB.com
    60
    What's lacking, though, is context.
  6. Mojo
    40
    Represents a giant leap backwards. [Nov 2001, p.112]
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  7. Q Magazine
    40
    There is so little personality or variety that when Lornaderek turns out to be a 30-second birthday ansaphone message from his mum and dad, it is not a gimmick but a touching highlight.
  8. Spin
    50
    The resulting cavalcade of "decent bits" seldom leaves an imprint in your memory, let alone your heart. [Nov 2001, p.130]
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  9. The A.V. Club
    60
    Unfortunately, most of the album's beautiful moments are cordoned off from the unbeautiful ones in ways that leave both wanting.
  10. The Wire
    40
    Not enough of Drukqs confidently breaks new ground, and too often James falls back on the all too familiar dysfunctional jitterbeat which has typified Aphex output since 1996's Richard D James album. [#212, p.55]
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Awards & Rankings

27
#27 Most Discussed Album of 2001
23
#23 Most Shared Album of 2001

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 114 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 105 out of 114
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 114
  3. Negative: 7 out of 114
  1. Panagram
    Nov 15, 2010
    10
    One of his best, right behind Selected Ambient Works Vol. 1 and Richard D. James. All these mainstream critics just don't get it. Go back toOne of his best, right behind Selected Ambient Works Vol. 1 and Richard D. James. All these mainstream critics just don't get it. Go back to rating Kanye West and Lil Wayne you uncultured dopes.… Full Review »
  2. aliceafx
    Oct 22, 2016
    10
    One of the greatest, most important albums of all time. So ahead of its time that critics didn't know what to think of it. So dense it takesOne of the greatest, most important albums of all time. So ahead of its time that critics didn't know what to think of it. So dense it takes multiple listens to "understand".… Full Review »
  3. vriskasawesome
    Jul 27, 2013
    10
    Drukqs, though I would struggle to define it as James' greatest album among so many masterpieces, is my personal favourite album not just forDrukqs, though I would struggle to define it as James' greatest album among so many masterpieces, is my personal favourite album not just for Aphex Twin, but counting all his pseudonyms. The interspersed piano pieces are hauntingly beautiful (re: Rolling Stone) and provide a rest from the intensity of songs like "Gwarek2" and "Strotha Tynhe". The atmosphere of the album is intense and almost overwhelming but simultaneously comforting and fantastical. "Vordhosbn" is one of James' best ambient tracks, and and "Mt Saint Michael Saint Michaels Mount" reach towering, giddy pinnacles that put you into a trance. A brilliant album that I listen to more than any other, and will never get tired of.… Full Review »
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