Broken Social Scene

You should pursue Broken Social Scene's entire catalog, especially YFIP, but this is an incredible follow-up. The reviews here sum it up pretty well, but for anyone on the fence, just spend 89 cents on 7/4 Shoreline (or find the video). As another reviewer said, it's essentially a perfect pop song.

This has to be one of the most solidly constructed albums I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Yes, it is an experience to listen to.

I wasn't a fan of Broken Social Scene until I picked up their self-titled album. I put it on and listened to it straight through without a moment's rest. It feels completely celebratory from beginning to end (especially the final ten minute epic, It's All Gonna Break). There's a sense of chaos and spontaneity to it yet it feels so wonderfully clean and polished. It's a truly rich experience.

Whenever I hear something that lands so beautifully on my ear I can't help but wonder how long it will take me to wear it out. I always ask myself how quickly I'll get sick of hearing it. It's been nearly 3 years now and I have yet to grow tired of it.

Only two other albums feel this fully realized and well executed...Final Fantasy's Has a Good Home and M. Ward's Transistor Radio. They're most definitely worth checking out...different type of music but definitely modern masterpieces.

This album has been a rare treat and I've been a fan of Broken Social Scene ever since. Don't hesitate to give it a listen.

It must have been a daunting task to follow up "You Forgot It in People," and sure enough, the indie collective's third release is marked with obsession to trump what is virtually untrumpable. "BSS" is a looser, sloppier version of their sound, propelled by noise friction and aggressive ambition, seeking seizure-like workouts to produce enthusiasm. It has the dynamics of an adventurous effort, but lacks the results showcased in the group's former masterwork.

The band (or at the very least, the two core members) probably felt a need to remain true to itself, but it had to push on. Doing a "YFIIP" sequel would have been a disaster, but trying something entirely new would have disappointed almost all of their fanbase. Instead, we get the stumbling "Our Faces Split the Coast in Half," followed by the nervy and noisy guitars of "Ibi Dream of Pavement," leading to the frazzled "7/4 Shoreline." None of these are quintessential tracks (though the latter emerges as one of the album's strongest moments), but they're inherently BSS. It's moving forward but staying put, looking outward and inward at once. While defining the broad scope of their encompassing sound, they prove that what they really need is direction--the talent is clearly there.

"Broken Social Scene" lacks the ingredients of a truly great album (namely, a number of propulsive tracks that demand being played on repeat a dozen times--"YFIIP" had at least five or six of those), but it remains easily identified as this band's work. They are one of the few groups around today that has a sound that's actually very close to being unique. And rarely has the occasional failure been viewed with such hyperbolic reaction; I can't meet anyone who didn't either love it or loathe it. This album is sloppy, unfocused and occasionally grating, but they sure do make it sound like brilliance, don't they? Perhaps that's because a lot of it indeed earns that comparison.

Best cuts: "Windsurfing Nation," "Superconnected," "It's All Gonna Break," "7/4 (Shoreline)," "Major Label Debut," "Ibi Dream of Pavement (A Better Day)," "Handjobs For the Holidays," "Fire Eye'd Boy"

This is one of the most interesting and exciting albums I have heard in a long time. The music is dense and complex, but also has a fun, free spirit running around in it. Horns, choruses, loud & good drumming, indie style vocals and lyrics, electronica, rocking guitar - a very nice mix of elements that results in a sound that is all their own. I heard a couple of their previous discs, but they don't reach the level of this one. The producer, David Newfeld, probably deserves a lot of credit.

I fell in love with "You Forgot It In People" after a friend sent me some songs online. When I saw that this new one came out, I had to have it. This band is one of the greatest things going on in rock music today. They have the most original sound of any indie band (or supergroup) I've heard. If you truly love music, you need to give this band a chance. Sidenote: they are amazing live. I've never seen anything quite like it.