Artist: Boards Of Canada Album: Music Has the Right to Children

Year: 1998
Duration: 1:10:55

Exploring the Masterpiece: A Critical Review of Boards of Canada’s 'Music Has the Right to Children'

Boards of Canada rose to fame in the late 90s and early 2000s with their unique style of music. Their second studio album, Music Has the Right to Children, released in 1998, is regarded widely as a masterpiece and remains a significant influence on contemporary electronica. This critically acclaimed album has been enjoyed by music lovers of all kinds. In this blog, we will explore the history of Boards of Canada, the music genre of Music Has the Right to Children, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts, and finally, offer our critic on the album.

Boards Of Canada is an electronic music duo formed by brothers Michael Sandison and Marcus Eoin in 1986, in Edinburgh, Scotland. The group has released several albums throughout their career, but Music Has the Right to Children remains their most iconic work. It marked the beginning of a unique genre of electronic music and paved the way for future IDM (Intelligent Dance Music) artists. The album was released under Warp Records and contains 17 tracks.

The album is a blend of different genres, including ambient, techno, and IDM. It is a pioneer in IDM music, characterized by enchanting melodies, atmospheric soundscapes, and hypnotic beats. Music Has the Right to Children employs the use of familiar sounds drawn from American and British media. The songs on the album are instrumentally diverse, with some tracks featuring distorted guitar sounds combined with ambient pads, while others are filled with classic 808 drum machines.

The album has many standout tracks, but some of the most popular tracks include Roygbiv, Aquarius and Olson. The album's most popular track, Roygbiv, features a melody reminiscent of a children's song and utilizes sounds of analogue synths to create a nostalgic and positive aura. Aquarius” relies heavily on the usage of samples and features a distorted guitar chord that sounds like it was plucked right out of a spaghetti western film. Olson, a tribute to the late musician Mark Van Hoen, features an upbeat melody with an energetic drum loop.

What makes Music Has the Right to Children innovative is the duo’s ability to create a timeless sound using old technology, creating sounds that were ahead of their time in the 90s. The use of various samples and manipulation on various tracks pushes the boundaries of electronic music. The duo's style, with its cryptic and reclusive presentation, requires the listener to dive deep into the sounds and meticulously curated samples to appreciate fully.

Music Has the Right to Children by Boards of Canada is a true masterpiece and a culmination of the duo's unique approach to music. The album is an influential work of art that remains relevant, inspiring contemporary electronica. Its success lies in the duo's ability to imbue an array of genres like IDM, techno, and ambient into a coherent blend. The album continues to be critically acclaimed and recognized as innovative and timeless in the electronic music world. While some might find the music challenging to listen to because of its densely woven narratives, this album is most definitely worth giving a try to listeners interested in exploring the world of IDM.