IT IS hard not get swept up in the moment that is a Broken Social Scene song. Before there was Arcade Fire and Stars (who contribute to this album ), there was Broken Social Scene, Canadian indie at its finest.
If you are looking for big, intricate songs, with high production quality (courtesy of Tortoise’s John McEntire for this album ), alluring lyrics, and a bucket load of instruments, from the grand orchestra sound of ‘Chase Scene’ to the heavy drums and classic guitar riffs of ‘Forced To Love’, Broken Social Scene can offer you all this and more.
As usual all members of the band are given equal voice throughout the album, and there is no doubt this is a combined effort. For me, Forgiveness Rock shines way more brightly than the recent solo offerings. Sure Kevin Drew’s Spirit if... was great, but it didn’t feel like the big band production we get from this album.
As I briefly mentioned above, members of the band Stars have contributed to BSS’s fifth album, but so have Feist ,who is also on the Arts and Crafts label, as well as 1990’s indie superheroes Pavement and Cake.
If you love Broken Social Scene there is no doubt you will love this. And if you think Arcade Fire are the only decent band to come out of Canada try BSS, and see where it all began.
