Boards of Canada Guitar (Pedal) Cover

While he skips the backward-masky quality of the original, SineRider’s electric-guitar cover of the Boards of Canada miniature “Over the Horizon Radar,” not even a minute and a half in length, is true to the source material’s pacing and mood. The video was recorded live, and the gap between what is seen and what is heard is worth reflecting on. The notes are plucked, but the sound really owes its quality to the (unspecified) guitar pedals that are, like the musician’s head, offscreen. A given pluck happens noticeable split seconds — we need another term for “split seconds,” as it suggests speed when what is in fact meant is a discernible gap — before the full impact of the playing is felt.

It’s the latest piece I’ve added to my ongoing YouTube playlist of fine “Ambient Performances.”

For reference, here’s the original:

And here’s the work of someone who listens like I do. This takes the original and loops it to play for five minutes:

Video originally posted at youtube.com. SineRider is the name under which Devin Powers records ambient/electronic music. He’s based in Norwood, Massachusetts. More from SineRider/Powers at soundcloud.com/sinerider, twitter.com/sinerider, and sinerider.bandcamp.com.