Aphex Twin: Richard D. James Album (180g) Vinyl LP

An indispensible artifact from an era when the Aphex Twin could do no wrong. In the mid 90s, Richard D. James led the charge of the IDM world, lived in a bank and even rolled around in a decommissioned army tank. His fourth full length as Aphex Twin finds the storied producer moving further away from the ambient techno of his earlier releases and diving headfirst into nasty drum n bass territory. James' innate ability to combine emotive melodies with intricate drum programming is on full display on the Richard D. James Album, the apex being the frenetic and sublime "To Cure A Weakling Child." The reflective, shimmering string arrangement of "Goon Gumpas" provides the antidote for all the heavy drum machine wizardry. Several tracks on the album were picked up by ad agencies and licensed for commercials; the US government even used album opener "4" in an anti-drug PSA! Through all of this he maintained his individuality and gained an infamous reputation with music journalists. You can he