The Tuss- For Real Aphex Twin?
August 24, 2007
The Tuss- Rushup Edge Album Review
The Tuss- Confederation Trough EP Review
Frederick Foxtrott Battles The Tuss Cult
The Tuss
2007
Rephlex
Are bloggers across the country on to something? Somewhat of a mystery has developed concerning the true identity of the Acid Techno group The Tuss. On MySpace there are two different music profiles both of which contain music that could be said to be Richard D James, the reclusive genius behind Aphex Twin and many other pseudonyms. The question being, are The Tuss, Brian Tregaskin, and Karen Tregaskin simply more pseudonyms to list after Aphex Twin. Some might think that RDJ has returned from the dead after a retreat from the public sphere. His Drukqs album recieved mixed reviews some pop-critics saying it was convoluted and flat.
“Much of “Drukqs” sounds like two different albums competing and thus canceling each other out…. An ambitious but ultimately failed experiment.”- Billboard
“The resulting cavalcade of “decent bits” seldom leaves an imprint in your memory, let alone your heart.” -Spin
“Represents a giant leap backwards.”- Mojo
“His most irrelevant album to date: a double CD, thirty-track compendium of indecipherable song titles, gratuitously weird sounds and occasional wisps of ersatz classical piano that are aimlessly pretty.”- Rolling Stone
Is The Tuss RDJ’s attempt to answer whether, after Drukqs, the public will judge him on the content of his work rather than the expectation of his name? To be fair on Brian Tregaskin’s MySpace page he lists, first even, Richard D James as a band member among others (Richard D James, Robbie Martin, Mike Podolak, Brian Tregaskin, Reid William Dunn, Karen Tregaskin).
Certainly, however, there are those who simply say that The Tuss is a new brother-sister act out of Cornwall England, and that RDJ’s only association is that he owns the record label Rephlex. TheTuss’ online offerings are great and I can’t wait to own the record, never mind who is behind it. But I am intrigued as I am sure others are. It is just too Aphex not to be Aphex. I greatly encourage feedback, thoughts, comments, insights, and more information on this topic. While it really isn’t all that important, it is kinda cool to think about. Is there a mad genius holed-up in England somewhere releasing music under other peoples names?
Again, please comment on this article.
http://www.myspace.com/thetussofficial
http://www.myspace.com/thetussmusic
The Tuss- Rushup Edge Album Review
The Tuss- Confederation Trough EP Review
Related Sounds
Aphex Twin
AFX
Etc…etc…etc
the myspace page lists RDJ as a member.
myspace.com/briantregaskin
So it’s at least a collaboration….
A collaboration indeed. There is no doubt to me that the creative fingers behind what is offered on Myspace is RDJ. But I’d heart a joint effort. I’d also joint a heart effort. RDJ You have reason to be pissed. I just want to evacuate my mystery. Brooklyn awaits an answer.
I kills me that drukqs got bashed so hard. It is one of my favorate albums of all time. fuck everyone who hates it.
Pitchfork Review
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/44034-rushup-edge-ep
Or at least they deserve a good head shaking. Hate is no bueno.
Druqks is a great album. Unbelievable it got such shitty reviews. Those twats dont know what good music is.
Now that I can agree with…
I too think Drukqs was great.
Druqks was fucking amazing(period). Anyone who thinks different isn’t fit to be a critic of fucking anything and needs to shut up and find another job.
^ Agreed
DrukQs is a great album…. f*** the reviews.
I might even say it is his most creative album!
drukqs certainly destroys the imitators… nothing comes close to the originality of that album.
Indeed…it really set a standard, yet some say it was flat…wtf?
Maybe RDJ requested the duo release some of the music he has written but not performed. Maybe he didn’t like those songs (not sure why, or maybe he just wanted to avoid the buzz for some reason) and didn’t want to release it himself.
“indecipherable song titles” Reviewer critisized it and didn’t know that it’s an old Cornish language from Cornwall, RDJ’s first home.
Hello Anonymous,
1. Kladfvgbung Micshk is not Cornish
2. I was not criticizing Drukqs, please read article:
Comment from mw: “Druqks is a great album. Unbelievable it got such shitty reviews. Those twats dont know what good music is.”
Reply: Now that I can agree with…
I buy all my music on vinyl.Druqks had both 33rpm and 45 rpm and is on of RDJ’s best works. It has both nice ambient tracks and some good old hardcore AFX. I saw RDJ & Hacker in Holland back in April 2009, I heard at the concert and have ‘The Tuss’ on Vinyl. I have no questions about the Tuss & RDJ involement with the album. Fuck the critic’s, have they seen him Live or have ALL his albums on Vinyl?