Thanks, Pete, for clarifying..
I believe that AFX is musically talented - although it seems that much of
his ability is latent, and has yet to present itself (at least in
recorded form). I really enjoy some of the moody atmospheres he creates
with his ambient work - some of it is moving..
However, when people begin to claim that he's worlds apart (in the best
way) from other artists because of the sounds he uses - I tend not to
agree. It's cool that he modifies his equipment, and has built his own
circuitry to customize his music - but what seems to matter to me, the
listener, is the end result. To me, the majority of his drums sound like
an 808 (whether he's detuned the bass drum by some margin, or used the
tom sounds in some way or another) - so it really doesn't matter to me
that he probably built the device himself, although I do think that's
cool..
It seems to me that any sounds and textures that he could possibly create
could be re-duplicated by any creative individual who chooses to delve
a little bit deeper into his/her equipment, and investigates the infinite
variety of processing options available.
Personally, I think he's a bit caught up in being 'techno' and cryptic,
and that once he gets past that, his music will become richer. I mean
can you imagine what it would sound like if he actually chose to
develop an idea like Xtal (Ambient Works) - he could make something
really satisfying and beautiful. The track is beautiful as is, it's just
that I have to keep listening to the fucking thing again and again
because I'm not satisfied with the way it leaves me.. Hahah.
To me, Ambient Works is probably the most mature of all his work to date -
isn't it ironic that some of the material was produced when he was
really young - when he was creating music just for fun, before techno
hit big, and without hype, image, or pretense?
Darshan
djesrani@center.colgate.edu