“We do actually believe that there are powers in music that are almost supernatural. I think you actually manipulate people with music.” Boards Of Canada take their name from the National Film Board of Canada, which produced many of the documentary films that brothers Michael Sandison and Marcus Eoin watched as kids, which inspired the hazy, terrestrial vibe of their music (which will be nostalgic for anyone who watched nature programs on public TV in the 80s). After a number of self-financed and privately distributed EPs, the duo caught the attention of Autechre’s Sean Booth and signed to Warp for their debut album. Music Has The Right To Children firmly established Sandison & Eoin’s characteristically warm sound (purported to be the result of the duo’s tinkering with antique tape machines), comprised of earthy field recordings, analog synth pads, psychedelic film samples and incredibly versatile drum programming which ranges from sleepy boom-bap to scorched techno beats. Each track on MHTRTC paints a vivid portrait of a parallel world: arboreal, rainy, lush or volcanic; and the more colorful tracks are the most memorable: “Aquarius”, “Turquoise Hexagon Sun”, “Roygbiv”. The short, ambient vignettes which punctuate the more straightforward rollers reveal kinship to Warp peers Prefuse 73, Broadcast, Richard D. James, and of course Autechre. Boards Of Canada’s influence is unquantifiable, resonating across genres and decades as artists like Tycho, Four Tet, Solange and even Radiohead have looked to BOC for inspiration. Music Has The Right To Children is truly unparalleled; a sublime snapshot of one of electronic music’s most unique acts hitting their stride, perfectly encapsulating their dark moods and brighter sensibilities alike. Recommended.

• black double vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• original release year: 1998 
• music label: Warp Records 2013

reviewed by peanut dust 04/2017