Broken Social Scene’s slice of gritty indie pop heaven

Broken Social Scene Presents: Kevin Drew – Spirit If…
(City Slang)

‘SPIRIT If…’ is the first in a series of Broken Social Scene Present albums with fellow co-head Brendan Canning’s to be released early next year. Drew’s songwriting addresses all his favourite topics: shagging, fighting, fear and hope. Both Drew and Brendan Canning, the two co-founders of Broken Social Scene, decided to approach making records as solo projects. In the process, the Social Scene community participated, playing key support roles, returning to the creative process that was the initial spark for BSS and giving birth to this new series.

Opening track ‘Farewell to the Pressure Kids’ wouldn’t be out of place on BSS’s self-titled 2005 album. Blasting off with squawking guitars, jaunty drums and unintelligible vocals this is the same kind of mind-blowing euphoric chaos that had us fall head over heels in love with Drew’s Canadian supergroup in the first place. Brash and calculatedly bombastic this is an immensely joyous mess with its freaky violin and jazzy clarinet outbursts.

‘TBTF’ is a perfect slice of indie-pop heaven. With its gyrating acoustic guitars, chirpy backing vocals and captivating drum beat this has radio hit written all over it even with Drew trying to sabotage such a possibility with the use of some deliberate profanity. ‘F**ked Up Kids’ a title which is sure to make sure this track never bothers the airwaves, is another radio-friendly gem. A wonderful love song that bobs along over a simple acoustic arrangement this sounds like Radiohead at their melancholic hit-making best.

‘Safety Bricks’ with its fervent Violent Femmes-ish acoustic guitar strumming and clattering snare drum still somehow manages to uphold a blissful air of sadness which makes it one of the records finest moments. ‘Lucky Ones’ with its exuberant chord progression and gorgeous chorus is the album’s most rocking tune and one that is sure to keep Broken Social Scene fans very happy indeed.

‘Spirit If…’ is a fantastic album and one that should see Kevin Drew receiving the same kudos as fellow BSS players such as Feist, Metric and Stars. This is very impressive and spirited stuff.

4/5