Editorial Reviews

The component of the Warp20 box set spectacle directed at neophytes, Warp20 (Chosen) placed the track selection process in the hands of fans, who voted online with the option to add messages like "This song makes you feel like a proud parent, à la John Hurt in the movie Alien, as reprinted throughout the booklet. The ten tracks that received the most votes make up the first disc. After track five, the disc makes a swift transition from covering exemplary material (Aphex Twin's bent lounge-porn single "Windowlicker," Boards of Canada's eerie yet blissful "Roygbiv"), to looking more like a sampler of recent releases (from Plaid's "Eyen" to Clark's "Herzog," all 2001-2006 territory). The 14 tracks on the second disc were picked by label co-founder Steve Beckett. Unsurprisingly, it's more successful at showcasing the breadth of the Warp catalog, touching upon all the eras while bouncing between the well-known and unjustly neglected. Even if you've been aware of Warp's developments from the beginning, it's astonishing to see its history documented in a fashion that juxtaposes Sheffield bleep at its most thrilling (Nightmares on Wax's "I'm for Real"), acid techno at its most rigid (Mike Ink's "Paroles"), IDM at its most affecting (Autechre's "Drane"), and even progressive rock at its most dazzling (Battles' "Race: Out"). Available separately from the lavish box. Andy Kellman, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

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