____twoism

Sorry to rain on everyones parade, but I really don't like the new album. It is too 'poppy' sounding and contrived. I'm sure it will appeal to those who like Lemon Jelly and Air. The production is ok, but compared to earlier stuff (sorry guys, but I have to compare it to older work) it sounds bland and doesn't seem to be based on any concept. I think there had to be a voice of dissent on this forum, as everyone else seems to be so in awe of it.
Anyone elae feel the same way?

i would say give it a week or two of constant listening, and then see how you feel. upon first listen, i was underwhelmed, but after a while i found that even the element that seemed so foreign (guitar) somehow sounded like classic boards of canada.

but opinion is exactly that, so you shouldn't feel bad about being a voice of dissent.

Give it a while to sink in. Sometimes albums (especially boc) take months to fully appreciate.

Deffinately a 'grower'. Think about it this way. Youve listened to the likes of MHTRTC and Geogaddi for ages now and appreciate how damn good they are. This then gives you an expectation for follow up albums. I must admit, like yourself, on first listen I was probably expecting a lot more. I was hoping for nice big dirty beats and kids laughing for which there hardly isnt. You can clearly see the acoustic angle which everyone is talking about on the album. Its different. TCH has deffinately grown on me and I love albums that do that. I can totally appreciate the genius and work that has gone into album. The more I listen, the more stands out and you notice different things as you become more familiar with the track. Tunes that you didnt like at first can start to become your favourites after 2 months or so. I think this will happen. You have to give the album a chance. Its no MHTRTC but thats the idea. Its is still a fantastic album.

I've listened to it several times now. and ... it's not a grower.

Each to their own

^indeed. It grew on me, though, and now I consider the album as BoC's best after Geogaddi and IABPOITC.
www.pitchforkmedia.com gives it a 7.6, btw.

dj_todos wrote:Deffinately a 'grower'. Think about it this way. Youve listened to the likes of MHTRTC and Geogaddi for ages now and appreciate how damn good they are. This then gives you an expectation for follow up albums. I must admit, like yourself, on first listen I was probably expecting a lot more. I was hoping for nice big dirty beats and kids laughing for which there hardly isnt. You can clearly see the acoustic angle which everyone is talking about on the album. Its different. TCH has deffinately grown on me and I love albums that do that. I can totally appreciate the genius and work that has gone into album. The more I listen, the more stands out and you notice different things as you become more familiar with the track. Tunes that you didnt like at first can start to become your favourites after 2 months or so. I think this will happen. You have to give the album a chance. Its no MHTRTC but thats the idea. Its is still a fantastic album.

Very well put, I could'nt have said it any better myself.

I love it so far.

HGC, you rated TCH as the best work after Geogaddi and In a beautiful place..? Have you forgotten about Music has the right to children? If you're a fan of those bargain bin meditation cds you find in woolworths (which I'm assuming you must be) then the new release is right up your alley. You're all entitled to your opinions, but, and I hate to have to tell you this, you're all WRONG!

Of course, of course

ollie_in_berlin wrote:If you're a fan of those bargain bin meditation cds you find in woolworths (which I'm assuming you must be) then the new release is right up your alley.

Im quite shocked to read that to be honest. Thats one hell of an insult to BoC if you ask me. Bargain bin meditation and BoC should not be talked about in the same sentance!!
Anyway that aside, I would agree (at this time) that TCH isnt a patch on MHTRTC. That album in itself takes some beating and I said from when that album was released that it would be extremely hard to follow it up with the same effect and quality. Again, totally different and that is the idea. I see where your coming from and agree with your comment on how it will appeal to the fans of like Lemon Jelly and AIR as it has that band/acoustic side to it but dont know what kind of 'pop' you listen to for you to state it sounds 'poppy'. Im no way having a go here,as I to feel it isnt as good as MHTRTC but I still appreciate the work and I like the album.
Oh, one last thing. I dont think BoC are capable of production that is only 'ok'. Sorry.

Look ya'll... it all boils down to this:

It's called Star Wars syndrome. I don't think (even if they were good movies-which they're not-I'm not comparing Phantom Menace to TCH) that the prequels would ever have garnered even half of the holiness that the original films did.. no matter what Lucas attempted with them. People love their memories of the old films just as much as they love the films themselves.

It's the same with BOC. MHTRTC has been glorified till it's hovering somewhere above Cloud 9, Geogaddi too, and so trying to say that TCH sucks because we measure it up to all of our loving nostalgia of listening to the old albums is just crap reasoning.

TCH is different... way different.. but why does every distinction we make between the albums necessarily have to be one of quality? Why can't we just say they're pretty different, and leave it at that?

Plus, Chromakey Dreamcoat is great.

thedisavowed wrote:TCH is different... way different.. but why does every distinction we make between the albums necessarily have to be one of quality? Why can't we just say they're pretty different, and leave it at that?

true. look how much Autechre changes with each album and the criticism they get for it. i'm as big a fan of the previous BoC releases as the next guy, but i fucking love TCH. it's different and i appreciate it that much more coming from BoC.

ollie_in_berlin wrote:HGC, you rated TCH as the best work after Geogaddi and In a beautiful place..? Have you forgotten about Music has the right to children? If you're a fan of those bargain bin meditation cds you find in woolworths (which I'm assuming you must be) then the new release is right up your alley. You're all entitled to your opinions, but, and I hate to have to tell you this, you're all WRONG!

whats the matter ollie? are you sad that there isn't a mention of 'a god with horns' on this one?
or is it just the lack of backwards speech? maybe if it had both these elements and was called...
oh i dunno... something original like ehh... geogaddi 2! 'the campfire headphase'!!!! guitars!!!!
psssh, what were they thinking.

Alright everyone, lets all simmer down. In a way I'm glad my post has stirred up this little hornets nest, but lets get one thing straight, I'm not comparing TCH to MHTRTC or Geogaddi, i'm criticising the new release in it's own right. Of course I don't believe Marc and Mike should have stuck to the same sound, but I think there are very specific reasons for them taking this direction, one is that Mike had a baby recently, and peoples priorities change when a baby is brought in to the equation, the other is that both the boys have spent a long time, probably skint trying to get recognised, and are now making a break for it, (and I don't blame them)
So, at the end of the day we can all argue about this until the cows fly home, but, I've stated my case, and there's no more to be said about it, apart from, It's not a good record, and I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who are equally disappointed.

Damn, I wish I had an opinion... I haven't heard the album yet

ollie_in_berlin wrote:It's not a good record, and I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who are equally disappointed.

You're right. It's not a good record. It's a great record. It’s compositionally solid, unique, and an evolution of the BoC sound. In fact, I've never heard anything like it. And that's what Boards of Canada are known for. Opening your ears and opening your eyes.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Now I have opened the mouth, and said mine.

gfresh wrote:

ollie_in_berlin wrote:It's not a good record, and I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who are equally disappointed.

You're right. It's not a good record. It's a great record. It’s compositionally solid, unique, and an evolution of the BoC sound. In fact, I've never heard anything like it. And that's what Boards of Canada are known for. Opening your ears and opening your eyes.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Now I have opened the mouth, and said mine.

Ollie's standing alone.

Fredd-E wrote:

gfresh wrote:

ollie_in_berlin wrote:It's not a good record, and I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who are equally disappointed.

You're right. It's not a good record. It's a great record. It’s compositionally solid, unique, and an evolution of the BoC sound. In fact, I've never heard anything like it. And that's what Boards of Canada are known for. Opening your ears and opening your eyes.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Now I have opened the mouth, and said mine.

Ollie's standing alone.

You mean instead of Pete?