Twoism is the debut EP by Scottish electronic duo Boards of Canada, self-financed and released through their own Music70 record label in August 1995. Initially limited to 100 copies and released privately, the EP was reissued by Warp Records on November 25, 2002.
| Twoism | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| EP by | ||||
| Released | August 1995 | |||
| Recorded | 1995 | |||
| Studio | Hexagon Sun, Pentland Hills | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 36:37 | |||
| Label |
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| Producer |
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| Boards of Canada chronology | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
| Blender | |
| Drowned in Sound | (8/10)[2] |
| Pitchfork Media | (7.0/10)[3] |
The EP led the duo to be noticed by Skam Records, resulting in the release of Boards of Canada's first major public EP Hi Scores in 1996 on Skam Records.[citation needed]
Background
editThe EP was initially pressed by Boards of Canada's own Music70 label on cassette and vinyl in 1995.
Before Twoism was re-pressed in 2002, it was a highly sought-after item, being pressed in an edition of approximately 100 copies. It would often be exchanged from one person to the next for around £800 (US$1500).[4]
Twoism is the only widely available Boards of Canada release with early third member Chris Horne, who was credited (as Chris H.) on the original release. However, his name was omitted on the 2002 Warp re-released version at his own request. According to credits from Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency he only co-wrote "Melissa Juice".
Content
editThere are differences between "Sixtyniner" on this EP and other releases, as Boards of Canada have often re-released early songs on later, more popular releases, sometimes with changes. On the original Music70 pressing of the record, "Sixtyniner" lasted 5:40, while reissues shortened it to 5:14.
The channels are reversed on the CD reissue compared to the original vinyl EP. This can also be noted on the tracks "Seeya Later" and "Smokes Quantity", which have the channels reversed compared to their appearances on Hi Scores and Music Has the Right to Children respectively.[citation needed]
"Smokes Quantity" includes the hidden track "1986 Summer Fire" at the end. On some pressings, the two tracks are combined.
Artwork
editThe album cover is taken from the 1980 film The Killings at Outpost Zeta.
The first pressing of the CD from Warp Records was on a black CD, similar to original PlayStation discs, and included a sticker with the yellow Boards of Canada logo on it. The barcode on the CD's digipack was also an easily removable sticker.
Reception
editAndy Beta of Pitchfork describes how the EP features prescient, beanie-nodding beats and highlights the complexity of certain tracks like "Basefree," with a surging bass throb and intense hyper-beat. However, it also notes limitations due to the cassette-only format, with some tracks having distorted and fuzzy elements that muddy the overall effect. The review suggests that the music has a strange ecstasy in the vocals and a melancholic feel in some parts. Overall, the review portrays the music as complex and mature, with certain sonic qualities that stand out, but also with some limitations in terms of sonic clarity.[3]
AllMusic said of the reissue, "Excepting only the rigid drum monster "Basefree" (which sounds a bit like Aphex Twin circa 1992), Twoism features the same exquisitely spooky, textured emotronica that fans will want to hear, all at as high a level as the brilliant Music Has the Right to Children to boot."[1]
Benjamin Bland writing for Drowned in Sound describes the EP as a charming and youthful record consisting of eight tracks of ambient techno, showcasing the band's early musical vision. It highlights the absence of the heavy darkness present in their later work and the uniqueness of each track. Noting how the EP is seen as a sonically incomplete yet fascinating glimpse into Boards of Canada's early style, shedding light on their musical evolution over time.[2]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sixtyniner" | 5:40 |
| 2. | "Oirectine" | 5:11 |
| 3. | "Iced Cooly" | 2:22 |
| 4. | "Basefree" | 6:35 |
| 5. | "Twoism" | 6:06 |
| 6. | "Seeya Later" | 4:33 |
| 7. | "Melissa Juice" | 1:32 |
| 8. | "Smokes Quantity" | 3:10 |
| 9. | "1986 Summer Fire" (hidden track) | 1:36 |
Credits
edit- Michael Sandison - production, photography
- Marcus Eoin - production
- Chris Horne - production
References
edit- ^ a b Bush, John. "Boards of Canada - Twoism Review". AllMusic. AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ a b Bland, Benjamin (18 November 2013). "Ep Review: Boards of Canada - EPs (2013 remaster)". DrownedInSound. Archived from the original on 2023-08-13. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ a b Beta, Andy. "Boards of Canada: Twoism Album Review". Pitchfork. Pitchfork. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ Walton, Matthew (2002-11-21). "Scottish Duo Re-release Their Ultra Rare Seminal Debut". British Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 2002-12-16. Retrieved 2006-11-26.