Broken Social Scene

Feel Good Lost
$12.98
Debut for BSS is essentially an album of instrumentals, spacious and ambient and explorative, with words appearing at small and sporadic intervals (and even then, it can be difficult to hear/understand). As such, it's a very strong candidate for moody background music, floating effortlessly and, well, feeling good lost. As the songs move from one to the next, it's easy to tell that the band was definitely trying for a complete album, but a lack of crowning moments mars its success. It rarely feels as alive as it should be. And since it serves as background music, it wastes the intimacy of close inspection, which it may crave but doesn't deserve.

Early moments shine brightest: the low-key swirl of "Passport Radio," the rise and fall of the guitars on "Guilty Cubicles." But an interlude like "Prison Province" adds nothing and cries out its lack of necessity. Long workouts like "Blues For Uncle Gibb" and "Last Place" have mixed results; the latter, especially, drones on for so long that it starts becoming boring long before it fades out. In the end, musical monotony brings this down to a mostly solid release and little more. It would be another two years before the band would be truly noticed and actually earn their endless accolades. But for a first effort, it scores enough to warrant a purchase.

Best cuts: "Love and Mathematics," "Passport Radio," "Guilty Cubicles," "Mossbraker," "Cranley's Gonna Make It," "I Slept With the Bonhomme At the CBC," "Stomach Song"

You Forgot It in People
$12.98
five stars...for one song alone. that song is anthems for a seventeen year old girl. anthems is a heartfelt ballad featuring the mother of jesus herself...emily haines. before you call me sacrilegious...listen to the hip tune. listen to it once...and you find the song to be a little curious but won't understand the hype. a second time, you'll find it sort of interesting but will find the vocal effects distracting. you will listen again..and again. it will be absorbed into your bloodstream...and become associated with memories. it's like walking home alone and looking at the stars. it's like they made nostalgia but in the form of a song. it's the sad yearning of youth...perfectly captured.

Broken Social Scene Presents: Kevin Drew Spirit If...
$14.98
I had no clue about this band or their previous works and now it is a great thing to know they're around. I hate the gang like hip-hop or rap crap music. This band is a refreshing change in a world where good music no longer exists. Now I am a Broken Social Scene fan. Good band, good music and refreshing. Loved them!

Broken Social Scene
$7.99
You should pursue Broken Social Scene's entire catalog, especially YFIP, but this is an incredible follow-up. The reviews here sum it up pretty well, but for anyone on the fence, just spend 89 cents on 7/4 Shoreline (or find the video). As another reviewer said, it's essentially a perfect pop song.