725. Selected Ambient Works ('85-92) - Aphex Twin

The title both hints at and underplays the nature of this album. Yes, it is certainly ambient, but not in the sense of wanting to make me want to stab myself in the face after a week of listening to what threatens to be the most repetitive of genres. However, it also requires some work - this is not a record you can enjoy without committing some time to.

The tones and textures throughout the album sound particularly enveloping when listened to loudly on some big headphones. Tha was the standout for me, with its tube announcer-sampling, bubbling, blissed out, Underworld-on-valium feel. It isn't a track, indeed album, that grabs you by the scruff of the neck, but it does get under your skin. There are other enticing moments, such as the almost euphoric Pulsewidth, the childlike simplicity of Aegispolis, or the drum-led Ptolemy. We are the Music Makers almost descends into parody, which is unfortunate, but as low points go, it isn't really worth worrying about.

Given the more in your face nature of the Aphex Twin tracks I knew before this week, I wasn't expecting the level of subtlety this track offers. Richard D. James started out as an engineer, which probably explains his attention to detail. It was his later tracks such as Come To Daddy and Windowlicker that thrust him into more mainstream limelight. 

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the album as a whole. It reminds me of some of my favourite soundtracks, Moon being one, with the subtle creation of tension and release through changing dynamics and clever manipulation of sounds. It works well as background music, drifting in and out of your awareness, but ultimately it deserves attention. 

Chloe's album rating: 6
Chloe's favourite track: 3. Pulsewidth 
Olly's album rating: 8
Olly's favourite track: 2. Tha

Next week is 969. Whatever People Say I am, That's What I'm Not by The Arctic Monkeys.