Boards of Canada – Music Has the Right to Children

Sitting in my new bedroom as the remaining few hours of 2008 dwindle, I bring with it my final review of the year, I present you with Boards of Canada’s “Music Has The Right To Children”. BoC are a duo who use the warmest electronic equipment and make it nostalgic, the kind that sticks to your insides and heart. Although this particular album isn’t from 2008, I chose to review this, as it remains memorable with hints of new flavors every year I listen to it.

Eighteen rhythmic tracks all beat heavy and all uniquely satisfying. “Wildlife Analysis” is a song with an almost thin membrane, sounding like the beginning of a documentary (kind of BoCs thing, look into their use of old documentaries). Briefly subduing the listener to a world yet to come, the all seeing ominous kaleidoscopic track “An Eagle In Your Mind” has now made its way into your ears. Many tracks, such as the innocent “Sixtyten”, circle around a simple beat that swerves throughout the course of the song. Never do the tracks rely on repeats, but openly refer to them time and time again (as a source?). Spacey “Kaini Industries” in its short time morphs to a wooden sound, and leads to wondrous “Bocuma”. A song that feels like it’s exploring and tapping into what your mind conceives it to be. “Open the Light” sounds like a realization a new way.

Don’t be fooled by “Roygbiv” although it begins with a heavy sound it becomes fun and easy going. Same goes with “The Color of Fire”, a track that may disturb some and cater to others toddler days. This is an album best taken as a whole. A few tracks just don’t meet the minimum time standards to be played alone, and some just refuse to paint on others canvases (lets call these playlist?!).

My personal pick off this album is non other then “Turquoise Hexagon Sun”. A song to me that feels spectator like, and full of good times, yet splintered with regret. This track is an ambient wonder, you distinctly can tell what you’re hearing (pool balls shuffling about, distant questions, brief chatter), but never in pristine clarity. This leaves ones mind to `fill in the blanks’, as years pass the blanks are like a crossword puzzle for an elder. As their diction grows some blanks are near obvious yet they tinker for a deeper meaning.

What I hope you’ve gained so far ,from this review, is although beat heavy it has so much more to offer then the casual `chill’ albums. People are rottenly too critical on loops and miscellaneous things to really feel the album, just continue grading them on X (sound, originality, cleverness ooo extra points!!! Etc). This is an album that can be heard through your ears, eyes, and mind. First few listens may not seem like much but it engulfs you eventually in a land blurry but familiar and never the less comforting. Soar through the skies back to your first flight, or relive the fresh pine air of those mountain park trails. Even uncover some of your day to day doings in kindergarten. Those 10.A.M. bright blue skies, those old shows…This is nostalgia and this is why it’s never bad to relive it. Just reminiscing of it makes people smile, well how about musically absorbing it?

The last thing I’d like to talk about is the albums nostalgic properties. Many remember listening to an old Zeppelin album or Soundgarden mix tape, they remember where they were and yearn for those times again. This album stays current, you might get nostalgia from listening to this album years later, but not sitting in your room with headphones on (like with Zep), it offers a new chapter to recollect upon. I’m sorry if any of this sounds confusing, but trust me on that one. Tells the past, present, and future without even knowing who you are or where you’ve lived. Does that not beat a crystal ball?

Boards of Canada you have done something many strive to do, and so few ever achieve. Memorable, warm, soothing, and just overall interesting, this is an album with high replay value. Some days you can listen to it, other days you can become part of it. So for my final few minutes, before I leave to go who knows where to watch the ball drop, I enlighten myself of a review I’ve been meaning to write. Could never find the right words except 5/5.

Buy Boards of Canada – Music Has The Right To Children @ Amazon