Music CD - Aphex Twin: On

The B-sides, as is often the case with B-sides, don't approach this level. "73-yips" is an entry in "drill'n'bass," by far the least listenable, least musical and most dispensable style of electronica; perhaps there's some merit to this track, as far as that style goes, but I don't see it, and after it gives you a headache after half a minute, I doubt you will either. "D-Scape" is a bit better - like "On," it's basically one very minimalist keyboard melody set to an equally minimal, quiet yet insistent beat and a few weird samples of phones ringing. Unlike "On," it lacks variety and evocativeness; it's eerie for sure, but far too simple and far too long to really be good. "Xepha" suffers from similar problems; it's the best of the B-sides due to its groovy percussion, but doesn't have too much in the way of hooks and melodies aside from that, and doesn't convey any specific mood particularly well either. It sounds like the beginning to a great song, as if AFX had laid down the rhythm tracks for one, begun to play with the background effects and instruments, then got bored and quit, leaving the song unfinished. Lastly, the remix of "On" is competent, but lacks the emotional evocativeness of its original, and thus won't be replacing it anytime soon.

Still, half-realized B-sides aside, "On" really is lovely. I usually am not a big advocate of purchasing singles, but after some deliberation I'd say that "On" makes this one worth it. Until my hypothetical compilation (how about it, AFX?) becomes a reality, this is the only place where you'll be able to find it. Need I say more?