Aphex Twin's fourth album remains one of my all time favourite albums in the electronic music genre. It baffled me when I first heard it, a mix of jungle inspired drum patterns and lush melodies. Despite the 'album' only lasting half an hour, every track is very much a ride.
The opening track '4' demonstrates the jungle inspired drum breaks that last throughout the whole album, and despite seeming fairly active and confusing, the track is fairly relaxing to listen to. What follows is 'Cornish Acid' a two minute acid house track that bridges the gap between the first few tracks perfectly, however at the same time it unique because it doesn't follow the fast paced mood of the majority of the album.
Peek 824545201, the third track on the album is probably the most strange. Flanger effects and chiptune drums dominate the track, while eerie synths play in the background. The song doesn't sound as polished as the rest of the album, however works well enough.
Fingerbib follows, and similarly to Peek the instrumental uses basic chiptune drums and synthesizers, however this time creating a more chilled, euphoric vibe compared to Peek. I personally really like this track due to its feel, and sounds really fresh and new, even today.
The second half of the album begins with Carn Math, lasting two minutes. This track, I don't really know how to explain, other than the fact that it is extremely confusing and full of twists and turns. The drums are really distorted and strange, while keeping the breakbeat/jungle rhythms that were mentioned earlier. The melodies switch up very quickly, yet the track still sounds incredible on good speakers and somehow works in its own way.
Track six, To Cure A Weakling Child, is my favourite on the album. Supposedly a tribute to his late younger brother, A Weakling Child has some really sentimental melodies, a crap load of kick drums and is spliced all together with vocal samples of children. Everything works perfectly, and the sound quality is extremely clean (I remember listening to this album on vinyl for the first time and the sound was incredible)
After that, there's Goon Gumpas. This orchestral piece differentiates itself from the rest of the album, as it strays away from the brutal drum patterns and strange yet exciting melodies of the RDJ album. While not my favourite track, I like the aesthetic, as the sound is extremely raw and seems like it's from a cassette, reminiscent of Aphex Twin's stellar debut, Selected Ambient Works 85-92.
Yellow Calx, the eighth track on the album, seems like a mix of Peek's drum patterns, sounding extremely gritty and futuristic, and A Weakling Child's melodies, which in Yellow Calx also sound perfect on good speakers/setups.
Then, we have what I would call the 'monster' of the album. Although it isn't as good as A Weakling Child, Girl/Boy Song, track nine presents a lush orchestral piece mixed with a mess of breakbeats and synths. The technicality of this track is astonishing, and for 1996 this track is extremely complex yet adrenalin filled.
The finale of the album, Logan Rock Witch, isn't that great. But that's not a bad thing at all. It keeps the weirdness of Aphex's work going, and is actually pretty funny to listen to at times.
In conclusion, this album is amazing. A landmark release in the IDM scene and for label Warp Records, the RDJ album is one not to miss.
Rating: 9/10
Richard D James Album is available to stream now, and there have been recent reissues of the CD and vinyl, which sound great.
Listen to it below:
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The World of Music
Non-FictionMusic is a massive world, and I completely and utterly love it. This book is an amalgamation of reviews, facts and general music nerd-ness, all compiled online.
