What the fizzle? While I was apparently
What the fizzle? While I was apparently living in a cave, Broken Social Scene came out with a new album. What’s the skinny? Is it any good? You Forgot It In People was one of my favorite albums of the past two years.
Reader comments
jeroenOct 27, 2005 at 8:15AM
You bet it's good! Definitely no easy listening, though. Hard to get into - even if you know 'You Forgot It In People'.
Jason Santa MariaOct 27, 2005 at 8:42AM
Yeah, it's awful damn good.
RamananOct 27, 2005 at 8:54AM
I've been listening to it for a week now. Many people seem to think it pales in comparisson to their earlier albums. I like it just fine. (Also, All the best bands are from Toronto.)
MattOct 27, 2005 at 9:03AM
Tis good. Took a while for it to grow on me.
kellyOct 27, 2005 at 9:10AM
most of my favorites include emily haines (of metric), but i don't think she's in on this album.
Jason RossittoOct 27, 2005 at 9:39AM
You haven't been reading your daily Pitchfork :) It's received highly complementary reviews... Chiggity check it...
One more thing on my "must buy" list, right after rent, food, and internet.
robbOct 27, 2005 at 10:10AM
Its unbelievable.
MathOct 27, 2005 at 10:31AM
The new album's great - but it's definitely looser than You Forgot It In People.
I think you've got to see them live to really appreciate what a great band they are.
Phil DokasOct 27, 2005 at 10:47AM
It's definitely more bombastic and somewhat lacking in the luster that YFIIP is so loved for. A good album certainly, especially if you want to hear what BSS sounds like when they're excited.
Also, Haines does appear on this album, though the most distinctive female vocals are done by Amy Millan and Leslie Feist.
Also also, I'm seeing them tonight! Pictures will most assuredly appear on my Flickr page tomorrow.
brianOct 27, 2005 at 11:15AM
broken social scene album is great!!! ooh and you get it with a limited edition ep.. always a bonus..
j.vanpeltOct 27, 2005 at 11:56AM
yeah, i have to agree, this album is phenominal. i've had it in constant rotation for weeks now. it's not YFIIP, no... it's better in some ways and lesser in others. it's more loose, but also more over the top in ways that make the blood rush to your face.
i'm seeing them live in chicago tomorrow and am pretty beside myself with anticipation.
kellyOct 27, 2005 at 12:18PM
j. vanpelt, they're only in chicago nov 11.
kenjiOct 27, 2005 at 12:28PM
i seriously think it has a shot at best album of the year so far (although sufjan stevens is just a little bit ahead). if you liked the last one, there's no reason you won't love this one.
MuzjewOct 27, 2005 at 12:48PM
I saw them in Ottawa last week and they rocked my paint can like a ding dong. I recommend the album, the show, the scene, the gang, the whole schlomozzle. Get the new album - you won't be sorry.
AustinOct 27, 2005 at 1:15PM
When someone first described it as "less punky", my initial reaction when hearing it was to correct them and say it's "more jazzy" than other work. It seems to have a more jam band quality to it.
crazymonkOct 27, 2005 at 1:22PM
eh, there are a couple of good tracks but it's no 'you forget it in people.' i think they've added too many members -- the album is overly busy and all frequencies are mid-range. you're better off listening to the new Clue to Kalo.
BTW, what did you think of the new boards of canada?
jkottkeOct 27, 2005 at 1:24PM
they rocked my paint can like a ding dong
I don't know what this means, but I'll be saying it all the time from now on. The same with "schlomozzle".
crazymonkOct 27, 2005 at 1:24PM
and yeah, they are unbelievable live.
jkottkeOct 27, 2005 at 1:27PM
BTW, what did you think of the new boards of canada?
I liked it...was just listening to it last night. I've heard from other people that they're not so keen on it because it seems a little watered down after Geogaddi. I can see that, but I'm still digging it.
Also just got some Metric (mentioned above) last night; haven't had a chance to listen to it yet.
GlennOct 27, 2005 at 1:55PM
Tune in every Monday, Jason. I have a list of albums that hit stores the following day.
The limited edition version may be gone from some stores by now but shouldn't be too hard to find.
M-J MilloyOct 27, 2005 at 2:09PM
The new BSS isn't bad but it's not as good as the latest Parachute Club.
funtooshOct 27, 2005 at 2:28PM
sidenote:
yep, schlomozzle (?) aka schlimazel (yiddish) aka schlamassel (german) is really one of the coolest words around …
[derived from mazzal meaning "to have luck, to be under a good star" and the german schlimm meaning "bad", thus it combines to "to be under a bad star, a very unfortunate situation/person". yet the word actually sounds so cool that you can use it in different contexts and it will still feel appropriate …]
SharelleOct 27, 2005 at 3:34PM
The free EP is as good as the album. Yeay for Toronto bands!
RamananOct 27, 2005 at 3:50PM
Live it Out by Metric is excellent. X-Amount by controller.controller is excellent. The Family Myth by the Tangiers is excellent. It's be a good couple months in terms of albums coming out of Toronto.
daveOct 27, 2005 at 4:47PM
I'd second the vote for Metric. As far as the BSS album goes, check out the NYT review of the Montreal based-band and Toronto Star's rebuttle.
adrian narudeOct 27, 2005 at 5:38PM
i just saw them in philadelphia and the show was incredible. their cds really can't compare to the amazingness of their live show.
CoCoOct 27, 2005 at 5:53PM
I dunno...Like it but I don't love it. Yfiip had such a variety that there were bound to be a bunch you loved but there
is too much Knob Fiddlin' in this one? I still like it but I don't love.
Oh and because I live in closet...I just got into the Go Team! Awesome. Loves it..agoogaly
RickOct 27, 2005 at 7:13PM
8/10
While the new Broken Social Scene album is definitely a great piece of work, I can't help but get the feeling that the band felt constrained by the success of YFIP. The album is more accessible and but also ultimately does not live up to the predecessor.
There is a constant effort to top their previous work, which leads to more and more "stuff" being piled into the songs making them very busy and bombastic. You can go through each album song for song and you will notice that the flow is roughly the same as the last, which is a bit disappointing (I might just have to blog about that!).
However, living up to a complete masterpiece is a lofty task and you can't blame them for trying. While I have been very critical, the album is still one of my albums of the year and I recommend it whole heartedly. It is just not a classic that you can't get out of your brain for a month, that's all.
One plus is that the album artwork is amazing and if you act quick you get a limited edition EP included in the package. In two weeks, I get to experience BSS live and see how the new tunes translate live. I'd venture to guess that the bombast of the album will make for a stellar show!
JeffOct 27, 2005 at 7:20PM
The album is great. Check out Feist and The Most Serene Republic as well. You won't regret it.
Also if you ever have the opportunity to see Metric live, do it. I can say without exaggeration that they put on the best show I've seen in a long time. Emily Haines puts more energy into a 45 minute set than I've put into my entire life. It's incredible
DJMonsterMoOct 27, 2005 at 7:36PM
I'd sample it at the local Tower before buying it. It's less immediately appealing than 'In People', but it grows on you.
marcusOct 27, 2005 at 8:04PM
While you're at it, check out everything on their label, Arts and Crafts. Every album is great. And yes, definitely check out Feist.
LushOct 27, 2005 at 8:43PM
Do you listen to Stars? Oh, do listen to Stars. :)
Philip AshlockOct 28, 2005 at 12:31AM
This new album (and the bonus EP) are both luscious and beautiful. I have a lot of issues comparing it with YFIP, I like to say that it's not better, it's not worse, it just is. I couldn't compare these albums with Feel Good Lost either, they're all so different and unique. Feel Good Lost has to be my favorite ambient album of all time. When I attempt to describe my immense appreciate for these people, I usually emphasize the fact that this isn't just a band, it's a collective collaboration of a multitude of bands I truly love - Apostle of Hustle, Feist, Valley of the Giants, KC Accidental, Do Make Say Think, Raising the Fawn, Jason Collett, Stars, Emily Haines, etc, etc - http://www.arts-crafts.ca/bss/tree.html The experience of their live shows can be compared to the grandeur of the last sigur ros show I went to, immeasurable. I'm constantly amazed by how unknown they remain to be and how humble and approachable they are, they are the antithesis of the rock star ego and their collective collaborative mass continues to expand. This new album expanded to include even more musicians - all listed in their new album insert which boldly proclaims "we hate your hate" and then appears to list suggestions for possible adjustments to each of the songs on the album. Their songs never remain the same, they morph from one show to the next. I could go on and on. These incredible people just represent so many rare qualities I love to find in musicians and their music, they're an ecclectic collective.
For a friends nice story of a run in with them last year -
http://www.auraluna.org/archives/73/solo-social-scene
James BachmanOct 28, 2005 at 7:28AM
Have it. Have yet to listen to it.
However I will recommend 'Captured Anthems for an Empty Bathtub' by KC Accidental, which is an instrumental offshot of BSS.
This thread is closed to new comments. Thanks to everyone who responded.