''Caustic Window'' (also known as ''Caustic Window LP'') is an album by Richard D. James under the alias Caustic Window. Originally planned for release in 1996, only a few test pressings were produced. One of the copies, which surfaced for sale on

Discogs Discogs (short for discographies) is a database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. While the site was originally created with a goal of becoming the la ...

in 2014, was bought and digitally distributed through a

Kickstarter Kickstarter is an American public benefit corporation based in Brooklyn, New York, that maintains a global crowdfunding platform focused on creativity. The company's stated mission is to "help bring creative projects to life". As of July 2021, K ...

campaign. It was eventually sold on

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for $46,300.

Background

Although 2 of the tracks ("Phlaps" and "Cunt") appeared on compilations in the 1990s, the actual ''Caustic Window'' album's release was canceled. At least five copies were pressed in 1994. At least one copy was sold through the Record & Tape Exchange in

Camden Camden may refer to: People * Camden (surname), a surname of English origin * Camden Joy (born 1964), American writer * Camden Toy (born 1957), American actor Places Australia * Camden, New South Wales * Camden, Rosehill, a heritage res ...

in the late 1990s. One of the copies surfaced on

in 2014, with a price of $13,500. In response, We Are the Music Makers, an electronic music forum, negotiated with

Rephlex Records Rephlex Records was a record label launched in 1991 in Cornwall by electronic musician Richard D. James (aka Aphex Twin) and Grant Wilson-Claridge. The label coined the term ''braindance'' to describe the output of Aphex Twin and fellow artists ...

and initiated a

project in which backers received a digital copy of the album. More than $47,000 was raised. After the Kickstarter campaign, the copy was sold on an

auction. Money raised from the sale was split evenly between the Kickstarter contributors, Richard D. James and

Doctors Without Borders Doctor or The Doctor may refer to: Personal titles * Doctor (title), the holder of an accredited academic degree * A medical practitioner, including: ** Physician ** Surgeon ** Dentist ** Veterinary physician ** Optometrist *Other role ...

. The copy was bought by Markus "Notch" Persson, the creator of ''

Minecraft ''Minecraft'' is a sandbox game developed by Mojang Studios. The game was created by Markus "Notch" Persson in the Java programming language. Following several early private testing versions, it was first made public in May 2009 before bein ...

'', for $46,300.

Critical reception

Mark Richardson of ''

Pitchfork A pitchfork (also a hay fork) is an agricultural tool with a long handle and two to five tines used to lift and pitch or throw loose material, such as hay, straw, manure, or leaves. The term is also applied colloquially, but inaccurately, to ...

'' named ''Caustic Window'' the week's "best new reissue", and wrote: "''Caustic Window'' LP probably wouldn’t have left a significant mark, and would have been heard as second-tier James. Twenty years later, though, we’re hearing it with that aura, that extra bit of longing that comes from how scarce music from James has become. And in that light, second tier is still very good indeed." Derek Staples of ''

Consequence of Sound ''Consequence'' (previously ''Consequence of Sound'') is an independently owned New York-based online magazine featuring news, editorials, and reviews of music, movies, and television. In addition, the website also features the Festival Outl ...

'' wrote that "the greatest gems within this collection highlight James’ foresight into electronic dance music", with "early examples of now trending

tech-house Tech house is a subgenre of house music that combines stylistic features of techno with house. The term ''tech house'' developed as a shorthand record store name for a category of electronic dance music that combined musical aspects of techno, ...

... This release might not have lived up to the lofty standards of the label, yet it remains relevant in a community of constant transition."

Track listing

References

External links

Caustic Window Kickstarter campaign
{{Authority control 1996 albums 2014 albums Aphex Twin albums Rephlex Records albums Kickstarter-funded albums