Boards of Canada

Boards of Canada are an elusive Electronic IDM/Downtempo/Ambient/drone band, comprised of brothers Michael Sandison and Marcus Eoin, from Scotland (confusing, I know). Considered by many on /mu/ to be one of the best electronic acts out there, with MHTRTC and Geogaddi being particular favourites. Their sound is best characterised by their favouring of analogue synths and samples over digital, which is used to create a more grainy and nostalgically dated sound.

As of writing this, all albums mentioned (and more) can be downloaded here

Boc Maxima
Genre: IDM/Ambient Techno

One of their earlier limited release LPs. Has some exclusive tracks, but most of the good ones can be found in MHTRTC or other early EPs, so it's pretty skippable.

Music Has The Right To Children
Genre: IDM/Ambient/Ambient Techno/Trip Hop

Their first widely released studio album and, depending on who you talk to, one of the best electronic albums ever made. All of the good tracks from Boc Maxima, such as "Roygbiv" and "Turquoise Hexagon Sun" can be found on here, as well as some fantastic exclusives, such as "Rue the Whirl" and "An Eagle In Your Mind." Also their most accessible album, so this is the place to start. Considered a must have for any electronic fan.

Pitchfork: 10/10 (Reissue)

Piero Scaruffi: 6.5/10

Geogaddi
Genre: IDM/Ambient/Ambient Techno/Drone

Their second widely released studio album, and probably most favoured. It's overall sound is less childlike and widely considered to be more sinister, with its constant references to kvlts (particularly the Branch Davidians) and heavy use of distorted and grainy samples. Aside from that, the sound is still very similar to MHTRTC, so if you liked that, you'll probably like this. Also, a must for electronic/ambient music, so give it a listen.

Pitchfork: 8.6/10

Piero Scaruffi: 7/10

Campfire Headphase
Genre: Downtempo/IDM

Supposedly a concept album, which consists of more acoustic samplings, mostly of electric guitar pickings. sounds kind of like being in the desert on acid (which is apparently what it's about). Some good tracks include "Chromakey Dreamcoat" and "Dayvan Cowboy." Not as good as the other two, but a great album nonetheless, and you'll definitely enjoy it if Geogaddi was 3 kvlt 5 u.

Pitchfork: 7.6/10

Piero Scaruffi: 5.5/10

Tomorrow's Harvest
Genre: IDM/Ambient/Drone

Harkening back to the days of MHTRTC and Geogaddi, this album was brought to the public after a cryptic advertising campaign and an eight year waiting period. Their grainy, harsh, dry synths and samples make you feel as if you're watching a post-apocalyptic John Carpenter movie on VHS. Has some great tracks like "Reach For The Dead" and "Nothing is Real." Still not their best, but you'll like it if you enjoyed their other stuff.

Pitchfork: 8.3/10 (Best New Music)

Piero Scaruffi: 4.5/10

Twoism
Genre: IDM

The only thing holding this back is the track "Basefree," which is pretty bad, with overly repetitive beats, boring synth leads, and none of the warm, nostalgic qualities of their other releases. The rest of the album, however, is actually a pretty solid IDM piece.

Trans Canada Highway
Genre: Ambient/Downtempo

Came almost directly after Campfire Headphase, so if you liked the acoustic sampling, you'll probably enjoy this one.

In A Beautiful Place Out In The Country
Genre: IDM/Ambiet Techno

A good mix of the childlike innocence in MHTRTC and the darkness in Geogaddi. If you wanted that, good, here it is!