Toejam, Oct 28, 2005
This release by Boards Of Canada remains, sadly, often overlooked and neglected when compared with the rest of the group's extensive discography. Despite it's short length, "In A Beautiful Place Out In The Country" sounds to me like one of the more personal and introspective releases the duo have put out, and as other reviewers have put it, the quality of each of the tracks here far outweigh the small quantity.
The EP opens solidly with "Kid For Today", a true gem that sounds almost as if the music is alive and breathing within your speakers. The eerie, unearthly synth sighs are overlain by an oddly-timed rhythm that sounds as if it were made on a machine powered by old rubber bands and emitting quiet hisses with age. Sandison and Eoin continue to build on the track, with higher ambient sighs coming in and short, lounge-ish notes being thrown into the mix. The drum loop sophisticates itself, and the whole surreal mix carries on majestically for the track's duration.
Then we're into "Amo Bishop Roden". A very emotive and powerful high-pitched melody begins the piece, repeating itself, before short fragments of noise are gently added. Gradually the Boards show their true craftsmanship of their sound, as more and more synth lines and bassy throbs of sound begin to dominate the gloriously emotional mix.
The title track shines the most, however, with its soothing, lullaby-ish melody soon inducing a feeling of lightheadedness in the listener, and suggesting the image of lush green meadows at midday glistening in the sun. This track is powerful, I don't think there is anything else I have ever heard that quite compares to this. A rhythm reminiscent of "Sixtyniner" from Twoism marks the signature BoC sound, before a strange electronic voice breezes in saying something resembling "a religious community in a beautiful place out in the country" - or something to that effect. The mood stays with us until we are led into the next track.
A lot of people complain that "Zoetrope" is sub-par Boards Of Canada filler material. However, while certainly unusual, the repetitive crystal clear harp-like melody has a tremedous echo/delay effect on it and will perhaps remind you of the sun coming out again after a dreary and rainy day. It is definitely a great way to end this excelllent release.
Overall, the "In A Beautiful Place Out in The Country" EP is by far one of Boards Of Canada's best efforts - soulful, emotive, alive and inspiring. This is essential not only for BoC fans, but for listeners of all types of music. A must-have.
4.6/5 (