I don’t think Aphex Twin needs much introduction…

Richard D. James, known professionally as Aphex Twin, is known partly by being one of the most important figures in IDM and electronic music as a whole and partly by it’s nightmare inducing album covers.

Case in point “…I Care Because You Do”, his 1995 album with a cover that doesn’t make me want to listen to the album, it makes me want to call my mom.

This isn’t the first time I’m listening to Aphex Twin, I’ve listened to this Selected Ambient series before, and while I never got a negative opinion of them, I can’t say they stayed in my memory either. Which is why I wanted to listen to one of his works for this blog.

I picked this one at random… What? I did!

But I also quite liked it, it is as abrasive as the cover suggests. Aphex Twin brings some noise, glitch and even industrial elements to this album that I simply adore.

The track Ventolin is basically that, an industrial/noise track packed with the classic ringing to fuck your ears right up. I LOVE it! No, seriously, I do.

“Start As You Mean To Go On” is also amazing from beginning to end, and for those that want something more soft, there’s also “Alberto Balsam”, which the closest this album gets to relax.

“…I Care Because You Do” is a good portfolio on Aphex Twin, like it generally is with his albums. I has everything that makes him interesting, packet in 12 varied tracks that last a bit more than one hour. If you want to get into his work, I’d probably suggest starting with the first Selected Ambient Works, but this wouldn’t be a bad start if you’re a fan of experimental electronic music.