Campfire Headphase [2-LP]

Boards of Canada established themselves as one of the most progressive and hypnotic electronica acts around with their first two releases (their debut, MUSIC HAS THE RIGHT TO CHILDREN, is required listening for fans of the genre). The group's long-awaited third release continues the surging, elemental ambience of the Scottish duo's former work, while expanding their stylistic palette to include more organic, acoustic instrumentation.
THE CAMPFIRE HEADPHASE lacks some of the edge of BoC's first offerings, instead emphasizing space rock-style atmospherics and shoegazer tempos. This is not to say, however, that the album lacks any of the meticulous craft and rich detail of their other work, or that the music is any less otherworldly or evocative. BoC's productions still sound like lost missives from the world of Atlantis: beautiful, startling, strange, and deeply absorbing. THE CAMPFIRE HEADPHASE stands alongside the most intriguing electronica recordings of the mid-2000s.