Broken Social Scene [LIMITED EDITION] [EXTRA TRACKS]

Broken Social Scene

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 4, 2005)
• Original Release Date: October 4, 2005
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Limited Edition, Extra tracks
• Label: Arts & Crafts
• ASIN: B000AP2ZTE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #34,966 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Bands that draw musicians from other well-known acts are called "supergroups." Broken Social Scene is a supercollective. Ranging from five to 17 members, the Toronto-based outfit includes musicians from Stars, Metric, and many other bands, as well as the up-and-coming Leslie Feist. Frontmen Kevin Drew (formerly of Do Make Say Think) and Brendan Canning (By Divine Right, Len) founded BSS in 1999 and their mission has stayed constant: take a deep love of indie rock and expand on that by making experimental mini-symphonies. Their latest work is not so much a series of songs as it is a musical mood. The infectious cacophony comes through immediately, opening with a rapidly-expanding collection of xylophones and trombones that create Burt Bacharach-style instrumental jaunts, while Kevin Drew's vocals whisper through the melodic mayhem. Notable tracks--from the rhythmic "Fire Eye'd Boy," to the gorgeously floaty "Major Label Debut," to "Ibi Dreams of Pavement" (featuring rapper K-Os)--have two elements in common: all feature expansive melodies and all have vocals consciously (sometimes annoyingly) buried quite low in the mix. However, the CD's highlight (and disc-closer), "It's All Gonna Break," holds the key to BSS's beauty; it's simultaneously far-reaching and uplifting, a near-perfect 10 minutes of music. This limited edition version of the release also contains a seven-song EP filled with some dropped tracks and an alternative version of "Major Label Debut". --Denise Sheppard

Product Description
The massively anticipated follow-up to "You Forgot It In People," the Canadian cult BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE deliver an amazing new LP, filled with monumental songs layered with huge choruses, symphonic arrangements to compliment their many instruments and vocalists, and the intimate/experimental/hooky sound that makes their headphone and rock-out appeal a 2-pronged-force to be reckoned with. The LIMITED EDITION version of Self Titled release features a bonus EP, titled "EP to Be You and Me".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars well..., December 30, 2005

By	N. Turner - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

i can see why alot of people are put off by this album, its alot different than BSS's last record "you forgot it in people"...but after an album that great, what direction do you go? Do you make the same album again? Do you pull a Neutral Milk Hotel and quit while you're ahead? or do you venture into entirely new territory?

you forgot it in people was all about a gentle, breezy flow. the songs came and went and left you feeling happy and satisified. This self titled album is a different beast all-together. This album is about confusion, worry, and doubt. Alot of people dont like the production job Dave Newfeld did, but personally i love it. I think the washed out sound fits perfectly with the vibe the album is going for. I mean, they've said that they had a different version of "ibi dreams of pavement" with cranked up vocals all ready to go, but they shelved it. I can see why...the song sounds amazing buried beneath a wall of sound. these tracks, to me, sound exaclty the way they should.

And production and sound aside, theres some flat out amazing songs on this album. "7/4 (shoreline)" is probably the best song i've heard all year(but of course im a little biased towards Leslie Feist). Song for song i personally enjoy it more than you forgot it in people, but i try to avoid comparing the two. One major plus as far as im concerned is the more dominate role horns play in the mix, adding a huge emotional punch to alot of the tracks.

ibi dreams of pavement, 7/4 shoreline, fire eye'd boy, windsurfing nation, swimmers, handjobs for the holidays, superconnected, banwitch, it's all gonna break, there's just too many FANTASTIC songs on this album to hold any negative technical opinions against it, because the songwriting is so superb. But, unlike you forgot it in people, this isnt an album just anyone could pick up and enjoy. It's more difficult, but i love it just the same.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of 2005's best. , October 5, 2005

By	Vicious Lips - See all my reviews

'You Forgot It In People' was one of the best albums of 2003 and on this self-titled follow up, the same pop genius resides in each track, taking Broken Social Scene to new heights on the Canadian music scene.

The only way to say what this album really feels like is to call it psychedelic-synth-folk-pop. There's no other way to describe it. It's a combination of eclectic creativity, blending uplifting ambience with gloomy atmosphere, modern in sense of electronics but old-fashioned in sense of watered-down old-school pop. Sometimes the band sound like they're singing from the bottom of a stuffed biscuit tin and at other times, they sound like they're screaming from a passing truck.

The moment 'Our Faces Split the Coast in Half' comes on, you're sucked in the Broken Social Scene circle of chimes, bustles and sugar-laden garbled pop. Everything familiar on YFIIP is replayed here, but in a way that you can't really comprehend. The genius of this band lies in how they can make the familiar sound so fresh and innovative each time.

The guitar work, synths and keyboards on 7/4 (Shoreline) is classic Broken Social Scene and when combined with Leslie Feist's distorted vocals, it invokes a dreamy albeit loud mish-mash of swooning melodies, hazardous twist and turns that leave you breathless like a slap of cold rain.

Then theres 'Superconnected', easily the best track on the album with its tawdry yells, vitriolic anthems and fancy guitar work combined with the said biscuit tin shouting bursting into a frenzy of thumping and Coke-can kicking and whirrrring of all sorts of machines.

Like their Canadian counterparts The New Pornographers, Broken Social Scene's creative prowess lie in the fact that they combine just enough electronically generated melodies with established norms of pop that their music seems hardly contrived, but suitably fashioned to please even the most discerning of listeners. I would recommend you to go out and buy this album, and let the 7 track bonus CD be an added incentive to listen to what would undoubtedly be one of 2005's greatest musical release.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Daydreamers Bliss, December 9, 2005

By	jessicaovaughn "Flowerchild" (Jacksonville,Fl) - See all my reviews

Broken Social Scenes music is sheer art.This album is wonderfully creative. This group of musicians have mastered sounds that stimulates and fuels the emotions giving the listener a sense of Daydreamers Bliss. The Music paints pictures of beautiful landscapes,fun memories,tranquil recoveries,with a raw unstructured form that feels real.The CD can be played loud or soft and never loses its impact.I am disappointed that this group is not getting the exposure that they deserve by way of radio,big screen scores and clubs in the U.S. When I let people listen everyone runs to get the CD and asks how did I hear about them.All I can say is the UK is always in touch with great artist in the U.S. and we find out what they knew 6-10 months afterwards(shame shame shame). Must Have CD trust me