Trans Canada Highway [EP]

Boards of Canada have taken a lot of heat (unjustly) for last year's release, the Campfire Headphase. Many fans were very disappointed with unexpected use of analog instruments and minimalist techniques within its songs. I'm sure these are the same fans that hated Geogaddi, only to love the album at a later time. If Campfire sounded like earlier works, then the same pundits would moan that BoC is a one-trick pony with their signature sound. We live in such a disposable society in that if an album, movie or game is not an instant classic, it's garbage. I think BoC deserves more than such a myopic attitude toward their music as of late. The Boards signature sound is not just one album but it is their whole body of work.

I loved Campfire, even though I do admit it's not as complex or enduring as MHTRTC or Geogaddi. I will be honest in that I disliked Dayvan Cowboy; it was the only track I would skip on Campfire. Alas, as with the entire BoC discography, understanding comes with time and repetition. It took me almost 2 years to fall in love with Geogaddi, so growing to love Dayvan was no exception. I used to think this piece was overblown, too epic and too pretentious but when Warp released the Dayvan video, the song began to coagulate in my mind. When BoC decided to put Dayvan as the lead piece on Highway, I knew this was done for a reason, as if the Sandison brothers wanted to slap some sense in me, screaming, "Look! This song makes sense if you are really willing to listen!"

Listen I did. On Highway, Davyan Cowboy is taken out of the vaporous, dreamy context of Headphase and now stands alone as a flagship track. Don't let the intrepid guitar riffs distract you; this track is very complex. You have to work hard to tune out the obvious and let the sublime sink in. Stop looking for Aquarius or Music is Math and one will see this track is just as beautiful in its' own right. When the sad day comes when BoC hangs up the synths for good, don't be surprised if Dayvan is remembered as a landmark track.

Skyliner and Left Side Drive are magnificent tracks. Both satisfy the listener that is still yearning for the old "BoC" sound. Skyliner reminds me very much of the unreleased XYZ from the Peel Sessions. Left Side Drive is definitely one of the best singles written since the Last Walk Around Mirror Lake Remix. Heard it From the Telegraph Lines and Under the Coke Sign are signature BoC vignettes, always intriguing, always leaving something for more. For those who complain that these tracks are too short, remember these three words: Less is More.

The Odd Nosdam remix of Dayvan took some getting used to and I'm still working on it, but it may be a contender for the best remix of a BoC song to come out in a long, long time. The track is time stretched into 3 acts, each giving a hint of that cLOUDDEAD flavor without sacrificing the Boards' originality. This track is leagues better than Boards' remix of Dead Dogs Two, which was a horrible song to begin with. The Dayvan remix cannot be rushed; it has to be digested slowly and methodically--a reflection of the Headphase album itself.

Trans Canada Highway is a worthy companion to Headphase and actually makes its parent album that much richer. It's no accident that both albums are initialed "TCH". Don't listen to the jokers that are looking for an instant dose of Kid for Today Part 2. Both Highway and Headphase represent an evolution of the Boards sound, not a deviation from it. Listen to both discs in one sitting and you will know what I mean.

Boards of Canada has turned out 'Trans Canada Highway' as a follow-up to their latest full-length release 'The Campfire Headphase'; the new EP explores a darker place away from the warmth and light of the campfire. Having said that, 'Trans' is really an extension of the TCH concept, even bearing the same abbreviation. Keeping that in mind, your feelings towards this album will probably be in proportion to those towards TCH.

This is an EP so obviously I didn't anticipate a lot of material, but I did expect something more than what is given. Most BoC fans should be familiar with 'Dayvan Cowboy' (taken from TCH) and the single 'Skyliner', which was available through WARP or other sources. Two tracks, 'Heard from Telegraph Lines' and 'Under the Coke Sign' clock in around a mere 1:00 each; and while I would love to say they contribute alot to the atmosphere of the album, they really are nothing more than uneventful filler. That leaves the listener with two full-length tracks, 'Left Side Drive' and the Odd Nosdam remix of 'Dayvan Cowboy'. The former is exactly what I wanted more of from this EP, whereas the latter exemplified how this album strings you along towards a climax that never comes.

Overall, the album is worth it if you're a loyal BoC fan but you're not missing anything otherwise. Independently the tracks are BoC in all of their road-tripping goodness though as a whole the sightseeing wasn't enough to make up for the lack of destination. Subtract the filler and what's already been released and you're left with three decent tracks... and a three-star review.

This is an amazing EP - one of Boards of Canada's strongest to date. Honestly, I didn't enjoy Dayvan Cowboy that much on Campfire Headphase, but since it has been recontectualized on Trans Canada Highway, I'm a huge fan of the song. The new tracks are more like what one would typically expect from Boards of Canada. Warm, fuzzy, mellow, lush analogue synths and plenty of them! For those who weren't as taken with the newer BOC sound on Campfire Headphase, assuage your fears - this is definitely a return to the traditional sound. That's not to say though that this is a rehash of old material. One can hear bits and pieces of Geogaddi and such, but the overall feel is much closer to Music Has the Right to Children. To all Boards of Canada fans - buy this without hesitation. It doesn't matter what you thought of Campfire - this is quality.

I have one question. The title, Trans Canada Highway, seems to be a fairly obvious reference to Kraftwerk's legendary Trans Europe Express and the album cover seems to point to Kraftwerk's Autobahn album cover, but I don't hear any explicit musical connection. Is Boards of Canada paying a simple titular tribute to Kraftwerk, or is there something else buried within? This calls for repeated listenings!

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