Aphex Twin: Windowlicker

the sophomore effort between aphex twin and chris cunningham continues the proud tradition of putting a face on a once-said-to-be faceless music; richard james'. this is what happens when you take a bloody brilliant director (cunningham) and NME magazine's composer of the 90s (james) and infuse them with spite for the music industry. their last video, come to daddy, seemed to take on the thrasy rock element of popularity spawned by nine inch nails, prodigy's "firestarter", and other clones of such. this time around, they focus on satiring the presence of the half naked woman's place in music video.

the song itself features an amalgamation of chopped up bits of chorus singers, resulting in more of a moaning type melody as opposed to traditional lyrics, on top of typical post-porno-music aphex twin beats. the music is timed up with the transformation of a couple street whores into aphex twin-faced street whores, who are being chased down by two would-be customers. from there, you get to see the visage of richard james making out with himself, then of course, the gratuitious dance and champagne scenes.

it's a pity that richard tends to be more bored with making music than most people, but that's part of the reason why he's special. who's the biggest name in mainstream electronic music these days? fatboy slim? moby? after watching this, come to daddy, and donkey rhubarb and listening to some of his music, it's pretty obvious that aphex twin could have probably been the biggest name in electronic pop music if he put his mind to it, but fortunately for the hardcore fans out there, i don't think it has ever crossed his mind.

Eccentric Techno artist Aphex Twin has again collaborated with director Chris Cunningham to produce the music video for Aphex's Windowlicker single. The video clocks in at just over 10 and-a-half minutes, and is a parody of glitzy rap/hip hop videos with its use of limos, champagne, bikini-clad women, and gold chains. Two "homies" cruise around LA looking to hook up, but Richard D. James (the aphex twin himself) upstages them with his super- stretch limo and Michael Jackson-like dance moves. Cunningham uses a similar technique utilized in his other Aphex Twin video, "Come to Daddy", superimposing Richard's sinister grin onto the faces of various women in the video. It makes for some bizarre imagery. This video is seldom seen on television but is available on VHS. If you're an Aphex fan, you'll love it.

I was out on New Years Eve 2005 at a club that had several rooms including a small screening room that was showing weird short films and music videos. We didn't sit for very long in this screening room but during the respite from dancing I watched this music video. Opening with a scene of two "gangstas" trying to pick up two black women the film sees their sports car pushed out of the way by a limousine as long as a football pitch. At this point the music started and Aphex Twin himself starts to dance to entice the women into his car. As they are drawn to him, things begin to change and mutate.

It didn't help that I had already had about 3 double gin & tonics by this time, but the nature of the video drew me in with the hip hop standards we see in music videos all the time before breaking them with some horrifically impressive effects. Although the same idea has been done before, I still though it was effective here. The opening scenes are foulmouthed and funny, establishing the genre we think we are in. The arrival of Aphex Twin starts an impressive dance scene that continues as the women are twisted and moulded into his image. On one level it is interesting because it at least does something different with the video genre but generally it works because it is grossly engaging. Cunningham could be accused of being twisted for the sake of being twisted but it continues to work here. The dancing is as good as hip hop videos generally are – with Aphex Twin himself being a very good mover, but it is the effects that stick in the mind for ages. The masks are impressive, looking as "natural" as such images can and being so imaginative and horrific that I never found myself looking for the joins or the makeup, but only wondering what sort of mind sees this sort of thing when asked to make a music video.

Overall a disturbing and enjoyable video that plays over a strong track. Twisting the hip hop video, the effects are great while Cunningham has enough in him to produce a video that otherwise matches the standards of the genre with quality dancers. Well worth a look if you get the chance.

...and I've seen "Baby Geniuses".

What starts off as a parody of numbingly retarded rap music videos soon degenerates (some would say "improves") into some sort of surreal, in-your-face nightmare that straight males won't soon forget. If you thought bearded ladies were scary before, prepare to have your mind royally screwed over. Putting aside how revoltingly twisted the video is, it's also pretty funny, as well as expertly shot and edited. Chris Cunningham gets the glossy visuals of rap videos down to a T and the freaky shots work perfectly to Aphex Twin's captivating electronic song. This is genius.

Richard D. James, Aphex Twin himself, plays a big part in the video (apart from providing the titular song, of course) as his characteristic shark grin, as in "Come to Daddy", serves a big part in terrifying the poor viewer. Few musical artists have the screen presence of this guy.

Many will argue that Cunningham's greatest freak-out was his debut video, "Come to daddy", but as stunning as that video is it can't compete with the sheer, basic, and harrowing horror of "Windowlicker". Whether you're a fan of Aphex Twin or not, this video deserves to be seen as it towers miles above most videos of its kind.

This video is everything and should be a must see for music video directors. You can't take your eyes off these gorgeous beauties! An astonishing blend of horror and parody it's just mind bogglingly good! Not to mention the fact that the track itself is pure perfection and one of Richard James's absolute best pieces. God we should be so grateful that this delicious abomination exists!!!