Why Aphex Twin's 'Rhubarb' Is So Evocative

A music analysis of Richard D. James' (Aphex Twin) "Rhubarb", from Selected Ambient Works, Vol 2.

Chord progression:
Dmaj (2nd inv)
F#min
Amaj
Emaj
Dmaj

[tensenpark]

"You create a bit of hope, and then immediately throw it away." I love this analysis

[xenopis]

The reason I love Aphex Twin is because though he is an electronic artist, he covers such a wide range of sound. You can go from a total acid trip to a cloud up in the heavens with his music.

[PetersPianoShoppe]

Hey everyone.... I'm overwhelmed by the positive responses from you guys; I'd almost forgotten I'd made this video! I made it spontaneously, as a favor for a friend in an Aphex Twin fan group, but decided last minute to make the video public. Thank you so much for the feedback. Of course I agree I should do some judicious editing. (This was done completely off the cuff, with no script.) I'll work on creating tighter, more structured videos with hopefully some graphics as well. Let me ask you: would you like to see analysis like this for other Aphex Twin tracks? Maybe other tracks by other artists? Let me know in the comments below.

[AttackRelease]

“Changing functions while keeping notes is part of what makes melodies great.”

This sentence just connected some theory dots for me I was missing. Great breakdown!

[sitcomgallery]

I know nothing about theory, but I was enthralled learning about why my brain feels the way it does listening to one of my favorite ambient tracks ever recorded. You have a great way of explaining musical concepts.Thank you so much, I instantly subscribed.

[paranoid]

The thing is that this track (at least for me) feels like a warm, honest hug from your mother...even perhaps the bright smile of that best friend who loved so much...

I think thats why i cried listening to those chords over and over again, it feels like a big sense of relief, like everything its goin' to be okay, it hurts so much to listen to it but it heals you back and put your feet on track again...

Music like this its needed and i appreciate a lot that you make a musical analysis of this beautiful piece, thank you!

Big hug to everyone who needs it
🫂 bless you all and Aphex Twin of course

[jeremypaek]

"You don't hear it but your brain does."

Excellent analysis 👏

[jasonallen]

I think I have listened to this track more than 2, 000 times. I do believe it is an all time great song because how else could 5 chords make me want to listen that many times? To my ear, each pass through the progression has its own flavor. I believe there is a heavy dose of volume manipulation each pass to bring the various leading tones forward. Such a good song, and thanks so much for making this video!

[CNITA]

I would love more videos like this from selected ambient works

[DigitalBroomstick]

Okay like, I don’t have any music knowledge but I love this song. I scrolled down to expect to see thousands of comments and millions of views... and there’s not? This explanation is great and really let’s someone like me, who has very limited understanding of music, appreciate one of the most beautiful pieces of music even further

[POPDELUSION]

I get so emotional anytime i see covers of popular electronic/ambient music. People can talk as much shit as they want about electronic production but the fact is these tunes and these chords will live on, wether its in our heads, made on computer, or covered with real instruments they are all beautiful and the meaning remains.

[FissureRaiOh]

"You are stuck losing this hope over and over. You'll never get away". lol

[jojogape]

I feel like Rhubarb is a bit like "finding peace in resignation". It's lamenting, yes, but it's also strangely peaceful. It's like your emotions finding some ground to stand on after crying. And now, we have the orchestrated reversed version, which sounds like the opposite, a continuous rising that, in the end, goes nowhere. Reaching out, but never really soaring. It tries to get up and fly, but it's strained, troubled and there's this underlying feeling that it will never take off. It really is the complementary companion piece to the original.

[poofygoof]

"[...] the fact that it ends on the chord it starts creates kind of a Moebius loop from which you will never escape."

the octave jump is almost like a round with itself... as if the entire progression could be played as a kind of musical shepherd tone. (of course now somebody will have to go create this...)

the call out to Arvo Part and I'm back in my mind to music theory classes from decades ago. this iteration I get to look at the back-side of my own musical Moebius loop. :)

[jonridley]

My other standout from that album is Stone in Focus which I think does a similar thing, but using the same scale it sets up an interesting 3 note loop that sounds a lot more hopeful and meditative,

[radagastthebrown]

Explaining this extraordinary emotional music is extraordinary emotional.

[alexchisholm]

This is a fantastic, hugely insightful analysis of one of the most emotional and beautiful songs I ever heard.

Ever since I first heard it, I have often wondered why - of all the songs I’ve listened to in my life - that this one from Aphex Twin has such a ridiculously strong emotional pull on me. It makes me sad and happy all at once. And it was so impossible to answer why but you did so brilliantly.

If only I had a music teacher like you growing up in school. You really are great.

Thank you!

[PedroPetipa]

This song gives me so much hope. Also, you're fantastic teacher!

[rulnacco]

Thank you! That was bloody amazing--you elucidated most clearly how Richard cleverly used some rather simple things to make a tune that summons very complex emotions. Fantastic!

[andrewkelley]

I’ve always wondered why it is so good.