Editorial Reviews

Canada's reputation for inventive underground rock -- think Vancouver's New Pornographers or Montreal's Godspeed You Black Emperor! -- gets another boost from Broken Social Scene, whose sophomore album, You Forgot It in People, took the title of Alternative Album of the Year at the 2003 Juno Awards (Canada's Grammy equivalent). And the disc clearly earned its trophy, making of its influences something inventive and markedly tuneful. Broken Social Scene take two cues from their Canadian brethren in Godspeed: First, they're a large conglomerate whose numbers are difficult to count (though ten names are credited on this disc); and second, they have an energizing, anything-goes spirit. Unlike those alt-prog-rockers, however, BSS craft shorter songs with vocals. Key touchstones include Sonic Youth, whose unique tunings and abrasive guitar duels inform songs such as "KC Accidental" and the spastic "Almost Crimes (Radio Kills Remix)," peppered with squawking horns and a powerful chorus. Elsewhere, BSS suggest the British dream-pop of A. R. Kane (the cool, arty "Pacific Theme") and the unusual vocal phrasing of the Sea & Cake's Sam Prekop (the rhythmic "Cause = Time"). Rather than a collection of cool referents, however, You Forgotot It in People plays like the music's next logical step -- and you'll definitely want to be along for this ride. Lydia Vanderloo, Barnes & Noble

Customer Reviews

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