It’s been seven years since we last heard from Boards of Canada, and not much has changed. At least they’ve ignored the whole dubstep thing.
It may be selfish to expect progress or surprises, but Sandison and Eoin can be understood for sticking with what works. They pick up right where the excellent Trans Canada Highway left off. Overall, it’s less bland and rambly than The Campfire Headphase and less scattershot than Geogaddi.
They take their time building momentum, leading off with two intro tracks. “Reach for the Dead” is a mournful piece that doesn’t really pick up speed until the halfway mark. “Jacquard Causeway” feels like an odd waltz until the melody coalesces and you realize you’ve been listening to a lurching 4/4 beat the entire time. It’s the most unique thing they’ve done in awhile. “Cold Earth” is impeccable track, but it’s nothing we haven’t heard from them before, and this is part of the problem. Continued...