drukqs (sometimes spelt Drukqs or drukQs) is an experimental double album by Richard D. James, commonly known as Aphex Twin. It was released October 22, 2001. The title's pronunciation is debatable, due to the cover art capitalizing the "q", leading to some fans to refer to it as "druck-use" (i.e., drug-use). However, drukqs is spelled all lower case everywhere else on the packaging, so most fans simply pronounce it "drucks".
After releasing the Windowlicker single in 1999, James took a long break from recording. During this time, he played DJ sets in his home of Cornwall, re-released his first album on the Warp label (Surfing On Sine Waves), and spread misinformation that he was retiring from making music. In late 2001, rumors began circulating about a new album coming out. One of the rumors claimed that Richard had stored the entire new album on an MP3 player, but had lost it on a plane with no backup copies, and that the drukqs would be a selection of unreleased tracks instead. This is a plausible hypothesis, as the electronic tracks are strikingly similar in style to previous works (see the Style section for more details). James also seems to be on poor terms with Warp Records, his label, and may have released this half-unreleased-tracks/half-piano double album to fulfill his contract requirements. Another explanation is that James simply took some time off in between Windowlicker and drukqs.
Track listing
drukqs is comprised of 30 tracks, divided into two discs on the CD release (15 songs on each disc), and onto 8 sides on the quadruple vinyl release. Sides A through D are intended to be played at 45 rpm, while sides E through H are meant to be played at 33 rpm (although many fans find pleasure in listening to the songs sped up or slowed down).
Titles that differ from the more commonly available CD version are noted in brackets.
- jynweythek [jynweythek ylow] (2:14)
- Vordhosbn (4:42)
- Kladfvgbung Micshk (2:00)
- omgyjya-Switch7 (4:46)
- Strotha tynhe (2:03)
- gwely Mernans (5:00)
- bbydhyonchord (2:21)
- cock/Ver10 (5:17)
- avril 14th (1:55)
- Mt Saint Michel + Saint Michaels mount (8:02)
- gwarek2 (6:38)
- Orban eq trx4 (1:27)
- aussois (0:07)
- hy a Scullyas lyf a dhagrow (2:09)
- Kesson dalef (1:18)
- 54 Cymru beats (5:59)
- btoum-roumada (1:56)
- Lornaderek (0:30)
- QKThr [Penty Harmonium] (1:20)
- meltphace 6 (6:14)
- bit 4 (0:18)
- prep gwarlek 3b (1:13)
- father (0:51)
- taking Control (7:08)
- petiatil cx htdui (2:05)
- ruglen holon (1:45)
- afx237 v7 (4:15)
- ziggomatic 17 [ziggomatic v17] (8:28)
- beskhu3epnm (1:58)
- nanou 2 (3:22)
Allegedly, various titles would be in Cornish, a Celtic language related to Welsh and Breton spoken in Cornwall, James' home. This may have been done as a tribute to the distinct culture of Cornwall, or "Kernow" as it is known in Cornish. Several tracks have allegedly been translated by a family in the area; for instance, "Jynweythek [Ylow]" would mean "Electronic Machine [Music]", "Vordhosbn" would mean "Sailboat", and "Cymru" would mean "Wales". Comically, "hy a Scullyas lyf a dhagrow" would roughly translate as "She wasted my pint". Various numbers found in words may actually represent archaic letters.
Several tracks do not relate to Cornish but have their own individual meanings: "Lornaderek" combines the names of James' mother and father, respectively, whereas "Father" is named so because his father enjoyed the piece. "Mt Saint Michel [1], [2] + Saint Michaels mount [3], [4]" is named after two actual places which are related to each other, the latter being a famous tourist attraction in Cornwall.
The vinyl editions of this album feature a slightly re-arranged tracklist.
Style
drukqs' tracks cross over a multitude of musical styles. Many songs (such as "Vordhosbn", "meltphace 6", and "cock/Ver10") sound like a much darker version of his earlier drill n bass work (Richard D. James Album) using acid techno-based synthesizers and IDM snare rushes, albeit much more fast paced than his previous work (advances in computing between 1996 and 2001 allowed greater detail and complexity in his music). Another track, "gwely Mernans", sounds much like his minimalist Selected Ambient Works Volume II.
The highlight of this album, however, is that at least 13 of the 30 tracks take advantage of piano, both prepared (in the percussive style of John Cage), and unprepared. These tracks have an acoustic beauty, not commonly associated with an electronica artist such as James.
Other facinating highlights include numerous experimental tracks, which feature short samples (synthesizer experiments, voices, etc) under 20 seconds in length. "54 Cymru beats" features sounds sampled from "[Equation]", a noise music experiment from Richard's afformentioned single Windowlicker. The track "taking Control" is made up almost entirely of sampled drum machines.
drukqs is available in three formats for purchase. The first, and most common, is the CD release. The second is the regular 180 gram vinyl release. Thirdly, a 180 gram limited edition audiophile version is available, pressed on heavy virgin (unrecycled) vinyl by RTI [5], and presented in a 12" × 17" box, limited to 1,000 hand numbered copies.
External links
Last updated: 05-22-2005 05:59:16
Last updated: 10-29-2005 02:13:46
