Forgiveness Rock Record

Broken Social Scene creates an incredible mixture of instruments and vocals

To say that Broken Social Scene is one of the most interesting teams of the today’s Canadian scene means to say nothing. The band whose line-up changes all the time, and all the members are simultaneously engaged in other projects, the band playing practically each new song in a different style, finally, the band about which a book is already written and soon a movie will be shot – all these facts are nothing in comparison with its music. The critics agree on one point in this respect – the style of Broken Social Scene is the sum of all the collective members’ music tastes, and as their number has been from 6 to 19 in various periods of time, one can imagine what their music is. Nevertheless it is a mistake to think that some conflicts take place during the songwriting process because of everyone trying to defend his or her tastes. Quite on the contrary, it is a very united team and it is always clear from its creations. The result of those joint efforts, at the same time, is an incredible mixture of instruments and vocals, and the songs’ structures are often unpredictable. This year we are going to find it once again on Broken Social Scene’s new album called Forgiveness Rock Record.

Memorable tunes and chaos on Forgiveness Rock Record

The band’s front man Kevin Drew and five other musicians comprise the band’s line-up this time around but, as it always happens, they are joint by their friends on the greater part of the tracks. Broken Social Scene is almost associated with the names of Feist, Amy Millan, and Emily Haines, and all three appear on the same song together on Forgiveness Rock Record for the first time. The album opens with the first song available for downloading, World Sick, it is the longest one here and a great example of the strange song structure and instrumental chaos but also can boast a memorable tune. Chase Scene is definitely a perfect title for this impetuous and worrisome composition refined with amazing tubes, whereas the vocal part on Texico Bitches makes one think of the indie-rock best representatives, and the instrumentation is rather a mix of folk and electronic music. The song with the minimum lyrics All To All pleases with a contagious, almost danceable rhythm, and a funny Art House Director is filled with a playful mood and once again conquers with the winds. One of the most harmonious tracks is Highway Slipper Jam, combining the drowsy percussion with a lulling vocal part, and this atmosphere is passed over to a most curious number Ungrateful Little Father, on which one can hear the most varied sounds from cracking to murmuring. The record closer is a gentlest two-minute long song Me And My Hand performed with such childish sincerity that it causes tears.

An hour during which you are sure not to be bored

If you are searching for simple lyrics understandable to a child, mellow arrangements for summer atmosphere, soft, unobtrusive vocals – then the album Forgiveness Rock Record is not what you need. It is not just an occasion that the guys from Broken Social Scene have made history of their native Toronto – their music does deserve being paid attention to. Yes, it is very likely that you prefer some pop album or some joyful indie rock to have a rest and some fun, for the majority of songs on Forgiveness Rock Record demand your listening, surprising, thinking, smiling and agreeing, or, on the contrary, being indignant. There is a lot of humor and no less tragedy in these songs, some of them are nice, and others are serious and sullen. The whole album lasts a bit longer than an hour and you are sure not to be bored during this time, and though at a couple of moments you will probably want to make yourself more comfortable and have a nap the follower will wake you up at once. Funny and unexpected sounds, happy and sad tunes, faultless vocals and primarily the diversity in all spheres – all these factors make Forgiveness Rock Record probably Broken Social Scene’s most charming creation if not the best in its discography all together.