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sorry to give such a short response to such a detailed post, but...
im assuming the sandisons are BoC? well, look at me, i kinda liked their former albums, but i REALLY like this one
As, you've stated. But you're pretty clear that you like because it doesn't sound like BoC, but instead because it sounds like another band. And yes, you're more than a bit light on why this would attract large numbers of new fans, besides yourself.
I like ambient, drone and the Ultimae roster as well. But there are loads of artists who can provide that experience in a very satisfactory way. If you're saying that dedicated ambient fans who know nothing of BoC will suddenly become BoC fans because of Tomorrow's Harvest, and then fans of the rest of their catalog, I just don't see it. Some will, sure; but not large numbers. Their earlier albums are just too different.
BoC gathered the following the did because they made electronic music that was unique in that it was both organic and evoked a strong sense of nostalgia in listeners. Even when they get into weirder, darker corners of their music, it is easy to identify a BoC track. Today, there are very few artists that can manage that despite a proven enthusiastic audience for that sound. Off the top of my head, there's Tycho (imo, consistently the closest) , Boc Scadet, Christ. (who many say was an early member of BoC, and recorded at the BoC studio), the occasional Aphex Twin track, and every now and then, Múm. And none of them can (or try to) pull it off for an entire album.
Take a look at this map of bands that listeners have likened to BoC. As described by the website "The closer two artists are, the greater the probability people will like both artists."
http://www.music-map.com/boards+of+canada.html
None are really close to BoC at all, and the ones that are (Amon Tobin? Squarepusher? Monolake? Autechre?) are so very different than BoC even at first listen, that the only reason they are grouped seems to be they are more chronological contemporaries under an IDM umbrella than truly "similar artists".
Now, you want the ethereal soundscapes of Carbon Based Lifeforms? Take your pick
http://www.music-map.com/carbon+based+lifeforms.html
Look at how those artists are clustered; practically on top of each other; suggesting a high level of interchangeability. Not included in there are the likes of Steve Roach, sonmi451, Oophi, Cell, Nitrous Oxide, Jack Danger's "Music for Planetarium" etc. etc.
None of this changes my reasons listed above. For a BoC album, TH is much more sterile and sparse than their previous efforts (even comparing it to the early bootlegs of dubious origin), and it really does lose something vital going from 2 channel to headphones.
I hope listeners of ambient downtempo and soundscape music who weren't aware of BoC like this album and use it as a starting point to get into them as a band further. I believe there will be some who do find something new in BoC. That's great. And I'm very happy you're enjoying it.
I just don't believe that the these new listeners will make this into a huge seller, above and beyond BoC's already dedicated audience (like me), who will buy anything the band puts out. I also think that next album (if/when it comes) will not sound anything like this one.
