Title: Come to Daddy
Artist: Aphex Twin
Year: 1997

Let me just say, I love this CD. It’s quite a hefty EP timing in at 33:25 minutes, and contains some of Aphex Twin’s (Richard D James) most memorable (and lovely) songs. This CD isn’t like a lot of singles you see in stores these days where several of the tracks are on the main album too; each track is original.

The first start will most likely be jarring if you have your stereo cranked when you hit play (what am I talking about, it will be jarring unless you are hard-hearted like myself even at reasonable volumes). The song sports lyrics that James says someone wrote to him in a letter, “I want your soul!” The fast beats and sinister tones climax in a long and tortured scream that fades leaving his listeners in stunned awe.

James probably figured you needed a break after that song, so followed it up the uplifting and melodic “Flim” (the same song that “The Bad Plus” from Kyle’s post played with traditional instruments). It remains one of my favorite Aphex Twin songs to date.

Also included on the CD are 2 other humorous and clever remixes of Come to Daddy (which have virtually no resemblance to the original). The remix of “To Cure a Weakling Child” from his “Richard D James” album is a highlight for me and I find it better than the original. Bucephalus Bouncing Ball, though a good song, seems out of place on the CD, even more so than the second remix of Come to Daddy, which is the CD’s weakest track.

The CD ends strong with “IZ-US”, another of my favorite Aphex Twin songs, for its touching melody, and nicely balanced rhythm/percussion.

The fact that this EP contains as many or more of my favorites than any of his full albums says something about this EP: it is dang good. I will admit, its not for everyone though. Many of the songs on it are more accessible the sharp jungle beats of his RDJ album, but the similarities are definitely there.