Search - Broken Social Scene :: Forgiveness Rock Record

The band is back

Dr. Rock | Chicago | 05/05/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm very critical when it comes to modern indie rock. I feel like a lot of bands like to slip by on fads, cookie cutter copies and cornball music that is very for-the-moment (basically, music we'll look back on and laugh at). Broken Social Scene is not one of those bands. Everything I've heard them put out has been fresh yet classic sounding. Aside from a few creative decisions made here and there, I'd say this album is a good example of music that was made to last.



Track by track:



"World Sick" - The first song I heard from this album, thanks to the people at stereogum. This brought back the classic sound that I felt was missing from the last two "Broken Social Scene Presents..." albums. (I know a lot of people will disagree with me here, but I much prefer the collective band releases over the Kevin Drew/Brendan Canning semi-solo affairs.) Anyway, this song is the perfect introduction to an epic album. (10/10)



"Chase Scene" - I still don't know if I'm completely sold on this song. The synths and drumming pattern is very current and fits in nicely with the popular indie trends but that is also the problem. It might sound good to some this year but who knows what we'll think in 2011. (5/10)



"Texico Bitches" - Probably the best song title on the album - a toe-tapper with a great hook. The vocals, instrumentation, and the Yoshimi-style yelps in the background make this an instantly likable track with a few twists and turns. (9/10)



"Forced to Love" - The verse is pretty typical BSS (which is a good thing), then the chorus explodes as they tend to do on most of the songs this band puts out. Overall, a catchy song but there's definitely better stuff to be heard on the album. (7/10)



"All to All" - This is the first song on the album where the girls come out to sing. The ethereal, swelling harmonies are a perfect accent to the chorus. The song chugs along at a good pace and the vocals become catchier as it goes. The strings add a perfect layer. My favorite part is the end of the song where it's practically A capella. (9/10)



"Art House Director" - This is hands down my favorite track on the whole album. The horns are very Tom Jones sounding (which sounds like a horrible thing to say) but I get a very 70's vibe from this song. I only hope Levi's doesn't buy this song and use it for a skinny jeans commercial. (10/10)



"Highway Slipper Jam" - This is like theme music for making breakfast in the morning. It's very low key and whispery with crisp production. It tends to meander but remains pleasant. (6/10)



"Ungrateful Little Father" - The first half is very in your face with guitars, loud vocals, and weird robot noises. Then, the second half sounds like some kind of a space journey score. Oddly enough, I think I prefer the second half. (8/10)



"Meet Me in the Basement" - To me, this sounds like what would happen if Broken Social Scene asked Andrew W.K. to join the band and let him compose a song. By that, I mean it sounds very uplifting and epic. Great instrumental track. (9/10)



"Sentimental X's" - The second all-girl song, this one didn't catch me as much as the first. Don't get me wrong, it's still good but in comparison... meh. The horn part is nice though. (7/10)



"Sweetest Kill" - Another favorite of mine. The effect put on the vocals is airy and fits well. Everything seems to click with this song. (10/10)



"Romance to the Grave" - The backup vocals are my favorite aspect of this song. If you want to know the definition of bliss, listen from 3:40 on. (10/10)



"Water in Hell" - Maybe it's just me but I thought after hearing Romance to the Grave this song paled in comparison. It's not bad or anything, yet it sounds like something that might play in a bar, especially the country outro. Take from that what you will. (7/10)



"Me and My Hand" - This is by far the most bizarre track on the album and an interesting closer. I read online that the band just simultaneously released a short EP of soundscapes entitled "Lo-Fi For The Dividing Nights" and that this song was originally on it. I'm a huge fan of their ambient experiments, so I need to get that next! (10/10)



I downloaded this album a little while ago so now I plan on grabbing it on vinyl when my local record store gets it back in stock - it sold out in one day! Anyway, thanks for reading and make sure to buy the new album."

Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record

Andrew Vice | Plano, TX | 05/04/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not a fan of song-by-song reviews, so I'll keep this brief. Anybody who is a fan of Broken Social Scene knows that their records are a true stylistic mash. You hear a little bit of everything from BSS, but they're always tight and on-point when writing songs. The musicians are all talented players, so you can always count on a well-performed record, but Forgiveness is the first BSS album in a long while to scale back the band, and frankly, I think it benefits from that. Forgiveness recalls the genius of You Forgot It In People, with songs like All to All summoning the heartfelt melodrama of one of BSS's best songs, Anthems of a Seventeen Year-Old Girl. True to BSS form, the album is a blend of pop songwriting and extended instrumental jamming, and as always, the songs are pertinent, topical, and sincere. Another great record for 2010, without a doubt, and the best BSS album in quite a while."

BSS reminds us what music is.

Andre Lamar Vinning | Chicago, IL USA | 06/06/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Forgiveness Rock Record is what music should sound like. I am not speaking about the genre, the vocal talent, or even the choice of instruments and song structure. They have taken eveything beautiful about their past releases, and illuminated it in every way imaginable.



(Feel Good Lost was and instrumental mind trip that showed a lot of potential. You Forgot It In People was just as trippy but with lyrics and emotion that made it possible to sit through multiple listens. It even had gems like Cause=Time, Almost Crimes, and the eerie, yet unforgetable Anthems. Broken Social Scene (ST) was all over the place, and not exactly in a good way. It felt rushed and tried way to hard not seperate itself from any identity at all.)



Forgiveness Rock Record is the result of 3 trips to the plastic surgeon with extensive work at the gym in between. They have shaved all the unwanted (noise at times) 4-5 minute gloomy, archaic instrumentals between vocals. Don't get me wrong, I love ambient music, but only when it fits and its necessary. The interludes (not seperated by individual tracks) arent unwelcomed here like they were in previous efforts. I find myself deciding to allow the instrumental interludes to play through as a means to prepare myself for the next brillant song.



Highlights on the record include:



World Sick - The album opens with a nearly 7 minute long triumph of music. Does an amazing job pulling the listner in and almost not wanting to move on.



Chase Scene - The second song on the album is just as, if not more, tasteful than the first. Extremly accessable also.



Art House Director - This song is reminesant of older BSS, and reminds you they haven't changed a bit.



Water In Hell - The true outro to the album (a 2 mintue "Me and My Hand wraps up the album and may be the weakest part of the piece)



Broken Social Scene is slowly moving into my "Top 25 Most Played" playlist more and more everyday. This album is nothing less than a feat. They have somehow managed to create the perfect Summer/Fall album. This album is great background music for the gym or a jog. It may be close to impossible to be in a bad mood while enjoying this ablum. Some will say this album is a bit more geared to a mainstream fanbase, and maybe it is, but that does nothing to thwart the genius displaying song in and song out. Even the lesser songs hold their old against BSS's older more off the wall albums. I was afraid this ablum would fall flat on it's face, and to be honest I may have wanted it to in a sense. You Forgot It People was a very special album to me and constantly had a spot on my iPod shuffle. Those days are over with the arrival of this record. Buy it now, this album should not be missed.



I hope this helped!"