• Record Label: Rephlex
  • Release Date: Apr 18, 2006
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 19
  2. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Spin
    91
    Recall[s] his greatest '90s-electronica work. [May 2006, p.91]
  2. The Analord series... proved that James was still capable of brilliance -- not just scattered brilliance, but consistently excellent and occasionally stupendous work.
  3. Urb
    90
    Untouchable. [Jun 2006, p.117]
  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. A brilliant collection of spanking, multi-layered tunes.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Rather than slashing and burning through new territory, Chosen Lords merits attention as a charismatic history chronicling the evolution of James' musical identities.
  9. Uncut
    80
    Without the scuffed overload of his teenage releases, it's obvious that these are newly minted. [May 2006, p.98]
  10. Mojo
    80
    When it comes to making smart, mischievous electronic merry, no one can touch him. [May 2006, p.105]
  11. Over the course of 10 tracks and 56 minutes, Aphex Twin proves that music can be memorable without hooks or readily identifiable melodies.
  12. Q Magazine
    80
    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]
  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. It’s a step backwards for sure, but a worthwhile one.
  16. 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.
  17. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    'Chosen Lords' is proof of Aphex Twin's uncommonly rude health, artistically-speaking. [15 Apr 2006, p.33]
  18. The Wire
    70
    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]

Awards & Rankings

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 44 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 44
  2. Negative: 2 out of 44
  1. PostModernVancouverBowie
    May 20, 2006
    10
    Aphex Twin remains musics most creative artist. He has been musics most advanced artist for 15 years now and is simply untouchable!
  2. Sep 3, 2011
    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 haveA 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
    Nov 3, 2006
    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 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 »