The National Film Board Changed My Life

Listening to: Boards of Canada - The Campfire Headphase

Ok, I'm a little bit tipsy after some wine, so try to ignore any spelling mistakes or outrageous comments, alright? Great.

My cousin Nate introduced me to Boards of Canada back in the fall of 2004, and I've nursed a secret love for them ever since. I remember the night I first heard a Boards of Canada song. Nate and I were out talking in the driveway at my parents house where we both lived. No, that can't be right, he didn't live there in 2004. Probable he introduced them to me later, also I'm drunk. Anyway, the point is that we were talking in the driveway, which eventually lead to talking while walking, which has lead to many, many walks, each lasting at least 5 hours, generally in the wee morning hours, around the old neighborhood out in the trees of Sherwood Forest. In this case, I remember Nate telling me I had to hear this song by a band that reminded me of the National Film Board. (Speaking of which, I recently downloaded the NFB iPod app and it is blowing my mind. The memories from watching all of these classics are unbelievable! The Big Snit! The Hockey Sweater! Walking! Wow, the National Film Board of Canada is truly a national treasure.) Anyway, Nate played 'Dayvan Cowboy (Odd Nosdam Remix)' for me that night, and I was changed. The song was gorgeous and brought to mind all of those old memories of watching NFB films on CBC as a lad. The music taps into the spirit of the NFB and completely transported me back to that time. (The band has said that that is what they were going for, so I guess I'm saying that it worked.) You all need to listen to some Boards of Canada. I don't care if you don't want to. It's an experience. And, yeah, sure, those guys aren't actually Canadian, but who cares? They have somehow captured my childhood in music, so, in my mind, they are as Canadian as they come.

Oh Canada!

P.S. I have this album on vinyl, and let me tell you. The first time I listened to it in my room on a crappy old cabinet stereo I bought at Value Village, it blew my mind. If ever there was a modern band made to be played on vinyl, it's Boards of Canada.


Boards of Canada - Dayvan Cowboy

Boards of Canada - The Campfire Headphase ★★★★★★★★✩✩

Favorite Tracks: Chromakey Dreamcoat, Dayvan Cowboy,
Least Favorite Tracks: Tears from the Compound Eye

1. Into the Rainbow Vein
2. Chromakey Dreamcoat
3. Satellite Anthem Icarus
4. Peacock Tail
5. Dayvan Cowboy
6. A Moment of Clarity
7. '84 Pontiac Dream
8. Sherbert Head
9. Oscar See Through Red Eye
10. Ataronchronon
11. Hey Saturday Sun
12. Constants Are Changing
13. Slow This Bird Down
14. Tears From The Compound Eye
15. Farewell Fire