Broken Social Scene

Arts & Crafts Productions Inc.

If you like... Stars, Metric, Do Make Say Think

Kick-Ass Tracks: “7/4 (Shoreline),” “Windsurfing Nation”

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Broken Social Scene’s latest, self-titled album is classic BSS, bursting with repetitive lyrics, casual between-song talking and prolonged instrumental breakdowns.

Encompassing all the brilliance and honesty music has to offer, with songs ranging from one to 10 minutes, BSS delivers a hypnotic masterpiece that fans will immediately recognize.

“Our Faces Split the Coast in Half,” a softer tune equipped with the business of instrumentals and ambiguous lyrics, starts the album. Its soothing feel is complimented by Stars’ Torquil Campbell’s gentle trumpeting sounds.

As the vocals blend with the instruments, a weaving effect spins through many of the tracks. The vocals are neither overpowered by the instruments nor underachieved, and instead become instruments themselves.

“Windsurfing” keeps the usual BSS elements, but adds quicker dance beats as Toronto hip-hop artist K-os jumps in the middle of the song to provide a freestyle breakdown.

In the following track, “Swimmers,” Metric singer Emily Haines offers vocals, which contain the kind of emotion and purity only she can produce.

The bonus seven-song EP entitled E.P. To Be You and Me is an extension of the full-length album, focusing more on instrumentals than vocals.

Because the album is not polished or straight-forward, listeners can enjoy the music without feeling the band’s insistence. BSS once again succeeds in creating a rich album.

—Desiree Gamotin