Five years usually feels like a decade when it comes to the time in between releases for an artist. It has been five years since Broken Social Scene released their self-titled album, yet they have all been so busy with other projects in that time. There were the two Broken Social Scene presents: albums led by Kevin Drew then Brendan Canning. Feist became a household name with the release of the Reminder, Andrew Whiteman released two albums with Apostle of Hustle, and other members were busy with other projects. As exciting as all of this has been, it is nice to finally see a slimmer Broken Social Scene releasing a new album. While the core of the group is now under ten members, the album is still full of guests and friends of the band lending their hands and voices to bring this album together.
The album opens up with the first free single from the album, World Sick (track review), a near 7 minute long epic opener which may have been slightly overdone but also indicated that Broken Social Scene were back in a big way. Things start to become more interesting with Chase Scene. Much like a chase in a movie, the song builds and builds with Kevin Drew, Feist, and Amy Millan providing vocals in unison over top of a brass section. The solo projects of various members of the band really are the details in the woodwork of this album. While Andrew Whiteman and Brendan Canning have always provided vocals on previous albums, the two of them seem more comfortable with their vocal capabilities on this album with both of them taking the lead on a number of different songs. Art House Director is a prime example of this with Whiteman driving the song with supporting brass instruments making it sound like something straight off one of Apostle of Hustle’s latest release. The album is quite lengthy with a total of 14 full songs (i.e. there is no filler), and it may lose a little bit of focus halfway through with the stretch of Highway Slipper Jam to Meet Me in the Basement featuring mostly instrumental tracks. But what really saves the album is Sentimental X’s and the final stretch after this song. The track was originally meant to be an instrumental one, but Emily Haines (Metric) added vocals. Charles Spearin then asked Amy Millan and Feist to provide some backing vocals on the song, and they accepted the request. The vocals are sang by Emily Haines in a soft and subtle manner until the song continues to build up with Amy Millan and Feist joining in to create a song which is one of Broken Social Scene’s best female based vocal tracks. This is followed by Sweetest Kill featuring Kevin Drew’s best vocals of the album where it sounds like a very personal song. Carrying on the intimate emotions of the previous two songs is Romance to the Grave. Lisa Lobsinger provides the backing vocals, filling the niche on the album that Feist would usually fill, and doing an admirable job. While not bringing as distinct and powerful a sound as Feist, Lisa is an enjoyable asset to the Broken Social Scene crew. All to All is a Lisa Lobsinger led track that demonstrates her vocal abilities. The album ends with two interesting tracks that change the mood of the end of the album from a sombre one to more of a party with Brendan Canning declaring “from what I can tell/there’s water in hell”. The final track features Kevin Drew singing Me and My Hand. After listening to his Broken Social Scene Presents: Kevin Drew album Spirit If…as well as previous songs such as Hand Jobs for Holidays it is not surprising that a song like this would close off the album or that Kevin would manage to make it sound more beautiful than embarrassing.
Overall this is an enjoyable album with no glaring weaknesses. While many of the members and contributors to this album came from various points in their career, they were able to put together a cohesive album that is able to both show off the member’s specialties but also do it in a focused manner. It is not another You Forgot It In People, but listeners shouldn’t be surprised as this is a band with many different people in many different places now. The effort is more focused and easier to follow than the self titled third album, which at times seemed a little all over the place. It’s unclear who is supposed to do the forgiving here, band members? Listeners? Friends? Family? People? But whoever it is, it doesn’t matter as this is one of the year’s unforgettable albums.
Sentimental X’s
Solid review of the album. I’d have to agree with a lot of what you say especially that the album has “no glaring weaknesses”. I though would disagree about loosing focus at Highway Slipper Jam… it’s one of my favorites off the album. Still it’s a great album, and will most definitely be in my top 5 albums of 2010.