Selected Ambient Works II

[SpireaXY]

It's a trailer that doesn't work. I love it but maybe you should give certain songs more time. Still brilliant. Bits of AFX , it's great. It sounds like a mad avent garde movie soundtrack. Must have taken you ages.

Unfortunately I've got hiccups that I can't shake so I'll send you a message when my body doesn't try to jump every time I hit a key. It's a nightmare.

[Streiter23]

I got the vinyls!!!



[TheOneartist]

Too bad "Stone in Focus" was left off the CD. It's a really essential, amazing track. Glad you included it in this video.

If you want to grab it, you can find it on a compilation CD from 1994 called "Excursions In Ambience: The Third Dimension".

This album should have been released on 3 CD's, just like the vinyl was released. Flows better, too, once you re-arrange all the tracks.

[TheOneartist]

@TheOneartist It's called "#19" on that CD, since Stone In Focus was originally the 19th track in the vinyl running order.

[Joeyorangecupcake]

I really love this album. Listened to it loads on my own when I started at university back in 94. Not listened for ages but this makes me want to again! So very dreamy, relaxing but unsettling too. I really like your visualisations, really interesting images and they go well with the music. Richard D James is def a brilliant artist.

Best wishes

Joey

[IDMWEIGHTSIDM]

this abum was his best ever work jmo

[xXGoreXKillerXx]

GTA IV THE JOURNEY THE RADIO STATION

[sirstikay69]

whenever i hear stone in focus i just imagine some scale of the universe and i just imagine a very relaxing scene on the beach with a stary night. it just fights if you can visualize it

[Blackfish100]

Tracks 3, 19 and Blue Calx are masterpieces.

Tracks 14 and 21 are brilliant.

Tracks 1, 17, 20 and 25 are great.

Tracks 8, 9 and 18 are good.

Tracks 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 and 12 are passable.

Tracks 2 and 15 are bad.

Tracks 11, 16, 22, 23 and 24 are terrible.

[larrybuchan]

I think the names given to each track are not to enhance imagery, rather merely as a reference point so the tracks can be identified. The CD cover does not contain the track names. I believe the randomness of the names allows you to form your own idea of what the track is about.

[larrybuchan]

Tree is just one of the most amazing tracks ever. The mental imagery I get from that is unreal. The whole album is, and excuse my pretentiousness, a journey...

[ZenomBeatmop]

wow, this is a very cool vid. Captures the emotions of each song very well & acts as a good teaser for anyone who hasn't heard aphex's ambient tracks

[Eliisee006]

this is great. i feel like i'm flying around in space

[aoinekodax]

nice film.

[phonicsox]

thanks man, that was good

[kiplinght]

Good job :)

[jakey1306]

its ashame the titles of the song give such a pecific object, as if i were to listen to most of the tracks without titles i would image much more obscure and un-corresponding links o it

[JayFFAFAlesanaES]

haha not a bad video when you got into it :)

[boondocksaint909]

stone in focus ftw

[54spiritedwill54]

great stuff.

[Rasmus95dk]

nice song.

nice effect at 0:27 xD

[threelegduck]

classic

[OhmygodSportacus]

Rushup edge was a master piece...almost as good as Drukqs

[TheReapersSon]

Rusty Metal is one of the creepiest fucking songs on the album. Something about distorted laughter set over warbled synth lines that sound like they came out of a haunted carnival really makes one uneasy the first time they hear it in the dark.

Now it's rather meditative, but the initial impact is quite unsettling.

[DrCarl]

amazing... great job!

[myelin8]

if only there was a s.a.w 3 on the way instead of fake tuss myspace bollox

[SenaraBlenethwyn]

not a fan of horror but even less so of the fake tuss pre pube wank......RDJ is the greatest, most imaginative, exciting and avante garde producers ever (imo, of course) all that fake tuss is rubbish

[SenaraBlenethwyn]

,....by that I don't mean rushup edge or confederation trough...they are really good...just all the obscene dross clogging up myspace

[CustardGanet]

Yup Rhubarb is the greatest single piece of music i have ever heard.

[iammagyar]

love this album to death. amazing video too. but i generally dont actually envision the object thats named. maybe ill do a video sometime

[ParanoidAsian]

rhubarb and stone in focus are my favourites. Maybe cos I watch too many David Firth cartoons. I like Lichen too

[narc78]

This is my third comment about this vid, cause i love it so much. yarou151, you did

such a great job, man! This is one of the best fan-made vids ive ever seen,  respect!!

[rodthepimp]

Would anybody know what the name of the song is at 7:37 ?

[Blackfish100]

Lichen

[rodthepimp]

What's the name of the 3rd song? When I die I want it played at my Funeral to represent my soul

[sherbunlulz]

rhubarb

[cornflakes002]

Lovely album am going to buy it

[neurocache]

yo the white blur was awesome

[johnwilkinson4]

The most unique album of all time. amazing video to accompany it.

[kanojed]

feels good man

[jaydenbray12]

feels good man

[narc78]

Damm, i cant stop watching this Vid. You did a great job, man!! The pictures match the sounds really great. Please make second edition of this!!

[iodyn]

you have it nailed down , its textures , audio textures mixed with visual textures.. you sould make a full lenght movie for the whole album :)

[AmbientHunger]

beautiful sounds

[DepthSolitude]

agree .. it's so nice

[narc78]

Fantastic!! SAW II is one of the greatest

electronic records of all times!

[santospago1973]

Very nice, thanks!

[miarf]

thank you for making one of the best videos on youtube, and taking steps towards making SAWII more known that it is! stellar effort!

[JDMATRIX]

TriPpy man excellant 5STARS

[demonfire456]

OMG! 1:48 there is a face in the grass! right in the middle!

[patjng02]

Fantastic upload. I just love this album.

I also lol'd @ 3:30. The tree seems to be pure evil combined with the track

[stephlamar14]

whats the third song?

[derf234]

its from salad fingers if thats any help

[stormchaser09]

its called Rhubarb

[docboy21]

Stone in focus, truly amazing

[ALoveEternal]

I ordered this CD because of this video.

great stuff.

[xxDreamphase]

very artistic mind you have !!

good work

[flippy7171]

*hisses at the evil paper thing at 1:25*

[DrunkyJimmy]

lol...

spooky

[AnemoneAlaundorl]

the dramatic hankie owned me

i love aphex twin :D

[J0ttem]

This album is a masterpiece, Blue Calx and Curtains are my favorite :)

[brokenspectral]

Window sill is my favourite and its a tune nobody mentions much! Why?

[Blackfish100]

Yeah I often overlooked windowsill when I would be listening to SAW II in its entirety. But then I listened to it on its own and it is awesome.

[PrivateBuckwheat]

Windowsill is great. The track I don't really understand is Grey Stripe.

[027Karunesh]

Great Thanks

[RustedBovine]

I like to have long periods between each time I listen to this album. I find it's surprising how you can forget how creepy this music really is. I live in Cornwall where aphex is from, so I like to take these songs on an mp3 player when I'm out on walks. I find it really matches the surreal beauty of Cornwall.

[LuaMets]

Cool post!

[HybridSalvation]

@RustedBovine me too! :D. Makes me appreciate it here :)

[derf234]

the third song is in salad fingers!

[Opooz]

It's best vid to check out while you are stonned :)

[Metalogicc]

i had never listened to aphex twin before, this was an amazing introduction. thank you, and fantastic work! congratulations.

[CapnSONiC]

This is really awesome!!

Matchsticks is my fav 5/5

[gabelogan1683]

Beautiful! Great Work Man!

[Nicetry75]

Grey Strip some how always makes me think of that map from Halo 1 called Longest...

[roystonerizer]

An album of pretty desolate sounscapes. Not what I expected, but very thought-provoking in an alien way. One of my favourite albums.

[channelofcrap]

Blue Calx, Z Twig and Rhubarb is my favorite songs in this album

[channelofcrap]

Oops! sorry forgot Blue Calx

[crimsujii]

Cool'n'Inspiring. 5/5

thanks!

[NYCkidNYC]

what is 6:04 called please tell me

[XxXxDaDa]

Z Twig!!!

good point out thats a really great song!!!

[peletonkambing]

Depends on what sort of music you're looking for. Not all of his music is ambient.

[Chris7889]

eat a quarter of shrooms and listen to Stone in Focus and you will find the meaning of life.

[Ganjacide]

Fucking amazing, dude. I love it.

[Ihuffglue91]

holy shit this is trippy, I love richard d james

[shoukisponkx]

y'en a qui en ont trop pris...trop pris!

[soupkitten]

criticism abound!

while i appreciate yr effort into such a masterful album, is this really what you visualize during these songs? these are literal vignettes of the track names, not of the pieces themselves.

all i want to know is where you pulled the images for 'White Blur 1' as it seems to be filmed by someone else with much more rigorous editing and a higher definition.

[rainbowvein]

"Being one of my personal favorite albums, this video basically shows you how I visualize each object depicted by the track titles as the songs play. "

That's what he said in the comment, so what else do you expect ;)

[CaptiveRiticuli]

By the best of my present knowledge, i am utterly stoned.

Well my bicycle is not to be used around this skyscrapper thank you.

Eggs are like any other, soon enough they no longer pretend to trick you.

Eyes, eye i see u seeing me, like what u ought to see only with my eyes.

Careful conclusions have allowed me to be as bold to say i love you.

Aliens are like us only long infront of us Careful with that axe eugene

All hail mighty thor,, ar sod it im going to bed.

[toolwielder]

reminds me of my mates flat ...  good times ritchie

[toolwielder]

nice rhubarb......  dont see a lot of it stateside ...... its a wonderfull fruit/vegetable ..... stuff

[tsoplika]

Very good job. Nice blending of the album's music to your images.

[halomaster275]

this sounds like a pot smoking song or a acid taking song more of a acid taking song (bad trip)

[IDMWEIGHTSIDM]

well done, i was going to do this tonight, lol beat me to it.

[Maxopo]

thanks 4 this mate

[Zocsma]

This video is just useful cuz i've forgotten one of these song's titles and here i found it with the music belonging to it. thanks.

[thetwentyfourth]

Such a literal visual interpretation based on track names seems, to me, to miss the boat entirely. The music evokes something far deeper, more subtle and abstract, and each listening experience can inspire a listener to explore unique, even complex, landscapes of structure and imagery.

This music is prime real estate for exploratory interpretation, and that's being ignored here. If the track titles weren't what they are, would you have even considered pairing these visuals with the music?

[hajalabub]

And this people, is called a pretentious twat! The video is a preview for those who might want to get this music (for those new to the Twin please do, some of the best ambient music since Eno). Did that cross your oh so intellectually-snobbish mind? I am glad I am only a local act and not as big as RDJ. I couldn't stand pricks like you listening to my music!!!!

[thetwentyfourth]

My apologies if I misunderstood the intention behind this video - When I originally glanced at the description I read it along the lines of "how I visualize each track", which was my error. If this were about creative interpretation of the music, I'd stand by my criticism, but I readily accept that I've made a mistake.

Your post, though, shows you to be incredibly assumptive and judgmental. You're attacking a character you've invented in your mind based on a few words. You don't know me at all.

[hajalabub]

LOL, looks whose typing? But your right, I am judgmental...towards you! It may also have not crossed your intellectual snob of a mind that some of the greatest artists ever have been driven to suicide because of people like you critiquing their artistic statements as if you know what the fuck you're talking about or somehow have a stake in how they choose to express themselves. If you think you can make a better video then do it!

[thetwentyfourth]

Once again you show that you've fabricated out some idea of who I am and what I'm like, and continue to attack that fictional character. You've also failed to acknowledge that I conceded to have made a mistake in my interpretation of the vid description.

While you've assumed I'm some useless critic whose only outlet is telling artists how to express themselves, the truth is that I've dedicated my entire life to art, as an artist.

Your judgement says nothing about me, but a whole lot about you.

[hajalabub]

I apologize for my rude nature towards you. It seems I've misjudged you. I just thought that your original statement sounded so much like something those bastard critics would say. As an artist yourself, I'm sure you've encountered them and their snide, pretentious drivel. I guess I just snapped at you and I'm very sorry about that. I would love to see/hear some of your work. We need to stick by each other in the face of these assholes that leach off of us and our IP.

[slohcinetak]

1.55 reminds me of Patapon, alot.

[THkaas]

Lollz radiator!

[280az]

even more funny whit the hankie it looked kind of silly but the music is great I like afx

[280az]

hahaha that was funny whit the radiator and the rhubarb

[zabafka]

hey does anyone know the name of the third song of this compilation where the settings is in the wood with an image of either lettuce or silverbeat

[rephlex]

"rhubarb"

[zabafka]

thanks alot buddy you've been a great help

[StarsWithScars]

I saw a Canabisplant in youre room ;o)

[HorrisNorris]

cant say they really make me think of those objects, but its opinion i guess

[delphium75]

nicely mixed

[GunitaSingh]

hella gnarly! i really dig the experimentation and manipulation of light sources...

[petrisuhonen]

very nice :))

[gpj]

i like; grass, rhubarb, curtains, tree, parallel stripes, shiny metal rods, stone in focus, hexagon, lichen, and spots.

[ThePontiusPilate]

Dude. Nice heater.

[snv4e4n7mk8]

LOL @ the zoom-in on the rhubarb

[boondocksaint909]

Stone in Focus, although a hidden track still by far the greatest piece of composition ever composed.

[lou09]

very very good video. its perfect with the music. aphex twin is amazing. funny, creepy and soothing. you got 5 stars fro me brodtha

[wolverine005]

ahaha lol is this a joke? i dont think the song names are literal... although you never know with the AFX XD

[socalltd]

yes they are. i do not have the entire list,but there are titles to them all

[wayward72]

good stuff dude...! pretty experimental i like that. a few things sometimes get a little too literal for ambient though... and i guess the music by its inherent nature needs time and the smaller versions work against that. Enjoyed it thoroughly though :)

[duclosnicolas]

GTA4 Niko trailer song at 6:03! Song name is Z Twig

[ScarfaceAlonso]

this song appears in GTA IV

[fallout444]

what song?

[simontheplayer]

6:04 Z-twig

[CrazedAfroninja]

Stone In Focus blows my mind...

[faraz1729]

I agree. It's otherworldly.

[DiGiTaLdAzEDM]

Where can I find these album(s)--tell me please--have been a fan of ambient for many years.

[DiGiTaLdAzEDM]

Great stuff--all clips too short--give us some full versions!!

[419eaterSUCKS]

The one that started at 652, "Charlottes Mouth" I think it was, as it's been 15 years since last hearing, is it anywhere else on youtube?

[WoodlandAsh]

White blur 2

Love it.

[acerb45666555]

5*****

[CocoaShunter]

shrooms + Taking Control = mind blowing shit

[chrisdaoust]

rhubarb=best track ever

[Iblis13]

Shrooms+Ambient works= amazzzzzzzzing

[TheNightlifeKS]

This entire fucking album is a work of GENIUS! The selected ambient works series is effing brilliant!!!!

[Dylan237tyr5]

is there anywhere where i can listen to #3...please help me out im sick of just listening to the 10 second clip all the time (i dont't have limewire)

[monkeymelee333]

there should be a SAW 85-92 video. that could get creative

[flake99please]

'Danny's Song', by PFM contains the looped sample of Z-twig. Amazing tune.

Nice compilation.

[ZenAesthetic]

SAW 85-92 > SAW II

[ZenAesthetic]

SAW 85-92 > SAW II

[ooeyek]

I agree. Xtal, Tha, Pulsewidth and Ageispolis are LIFE

[AmbientGuitarSounds]

Very cool video giving you a taste of each track off the album. :)

Funny thing with "Grass," I don't think of anything close to actual grass. I imagine a female ghost floating through a foggy cemetery with her long black hair flowing.

Check out my BoC cover. :)

[Bemani012]

Flybye ;-)

[TranceGalaxy]

01:54 ;-)

[njjisgod]

I LOVE Stone In Focus.

[Nicetry75]

Hankie? I don't remember that one on the album.

[silvastomp]

you prob got the US CD.

[Nicetry75]

damn. ur rite. Im still lovin it though.

[cje2005]

So because the track is named 'Radiator', you visualize a radiator? I would think the music should instill the picture in your mind of whatever it may be.

[Nicetry75]

well i thought of a radiator. That little hish noise that comes everyother bar towards the middle, made me think of steam puffing out of it.

[bitsdfg4]

What a great piece of work, this album was. A real different style of music from what he does these days.

[arntard]

i would never visual these wonderous tracks to the image-titles they've been given. its a much more alien and introspective journey. this video has done nothing more than remove the epic personal context in which we as listeners give it. but it's still a good summary for those who haven't heard it

[TheUnknownSmurf]

This is the only Aphex Twin I like. Everything else by him sounds like nervous video game music to me. This album is a work of genius; abstract, dark, profoundly beautiful and terrifyingly dissonant.

[Nicetry75]

Definetly his best album

[silvastomp]

what about Selected Ambient works 85-92?

try Analord series too, some masterpeices in there. search "phonatacid" in the browser for a taster.

[ooeyek]

I love Cilonen and Halibut Acid myself, but yeah Analord is definitely one of the best "albums".

[faszika]

the white blur part is good already

[arasharfa]

ok, this video is soo stupid. there has been no interpretation of this whatsoever. you've just taken the song titles and filmed their literal meaning. the songs originally had no title to begin with, fans have given the titles to the songs, and aphex just used it when he selected them for this release.

[Nicetry75]

Well, what if he were to do one for Drukqs? How would he film a "Hy a Scullyas Lyf a Dhagrow"? I personally love the idea, and don't care if he didn't make the titles.

[LiamLadyLord]

What the hell ..... i want aphex not a jive bunny megamix over someones rubarb pics

[Angleechaneen]

Cool

[retnuHDJ]

Pretty cool! If someone could somehow could somehow capture on film what they visualise personally while listening to this album, that would be very awesome! Love this album, just getting into it now. Never had the patience before. And listening to a little bit of each track like this makes me want to listen to it even more! Good job :P

[madedar]

Visualisations only basing on titles are imo somewhat not accurate, focus on the sound. Some examples of how I see it: curtains - floating in the sky, windowsill - crossing the desert being almost exhausted, lichen - a dawn; beginning of a new life - etc. Nevertheless sawII is truly a masterpiece and this vid might make one to try it.

[jazzorgan0]

Oh dear... I love this album dearly, but this made me laugh so much, shaky footage of a radiator, some rhubarb, and a handkerchief for f***s sake... the images work on the album, but taking the titles as a cue as to what to point the camera at is... wrong. It could have been so much better if you'd followed your own instincts as to what images to match to the tracks... Sorry.

[jazzorgan0]

...

[NovemDecem]

for me a little weird

- I just can stare at this video

but I also don't use to hear music like this

(it scares me out)

[hfyuutr]

To me one of RDJ musical genius is to have managed to produce sounds that relate to the mineral world,or of mineral quality, on an electronic equipment. that's why I think some of the images are well chosen but on the whole cannot fully retain the evocative power the tunes possess.Plus, I don't think infinity can ever be captured into a picture. But nice try anyway

[readingleejh]

itunes have a very good ambient radio station...i think it's called drone zone