When Warp Records and Skam jointly released the seminal
Music Has The Right To Children, Scottish duo
Boards Of Canada were still largely unknown despite
having released four albums and a string of EPs on their
Music70 label. This album became pivotal in the tiny
world of IDM by the way it offered an alternative to
Autechre’s increasingly
complex records and Plaid’s
more upbeat releases. Here, Marcus Eoin and Michael
Sandison presented beautiful and dreamy sonic arrangements.
Their compositions, although abstract and intricate,
appeared emotional and simple. Since Music Has The
Right To Children though, and apart from an EP,
In A Beautiful Place Out In The Country released
a year and a half ago, there had been very little activity
on the BOC front, Warp being reduced to paraphrasing
a beer ad by saying that the duo were taking their time.
Almost four years on, Geogaddi is finally landing.
From the first few seconds of Ready Lets Go,
which opens the album, the same warm atmospheres that
made Music… such an unusual and captivating
experience envelop the listener once again as the pair
presents more striking melodies and chilled beats. For
once, it is good to know that nothing much has changed.
Altered voices, hip-hop inspired rhythmic configurations
and intelligent samples traverse the organic soundscapes
at regular interval, bringing the compositions to life
by organising ever changing patterns of sounds into
complex structures. Here again, Eoin and Sandison alternate
between short vignettes and more constructed part, always
focusing on musical content as much as ambience. Geogaddi
is full of little gems. From the abstract pop songs
chronicles Music Is Math and 1969
and the nature conscious Dandelion to the enchanting
Alpha & Omega and Dawn Chorus
and the elaborate Sunshine Recorder and The
Devil Is In The Details, Boards Of Canada conscientiously
weave there web of dreamy moods, oblivious of the world
surrounding them. Geogaddi, very much like
Music… before it, is luxuriant, clever and
intriguing. Eoin and Sandison have developed their sound
to perfection, yet capturing more than most some elements
of human interaction.
With this sixth album under their belt, Boards Of Canada
are proving to be one of the most consistent electronic
bands currently serving as their dedication to sound remains
untouched. Geogaddi took a while to surface,
but it was all well worth it.
5/5 |
