In the five years that have passed since Broken Social Scene released their last full-length, a lot has gone down. Obamarama. Italy scammed its way to another World Cup final win. Avatar reminded us that imperialism sucks even in 3D. Kim Kardashian became famous for no reason. Animal Collective went from being left field wingnuts to captains of indie rock. The list is long and the shifts are many and whatever I just rattled off most likely makes me look like a guy with a loose grasp on what’s important. But as the core members of BSS got back together after a few years of splintering, they wisely did so with a new producer: Tortoise’s John McEntire. It’s a gutsy move considering how much of the band’s layered, ultra-saturated sound had been seemingly defined by their work with Dave Newfeld at home in Toronto. But the difference is very clear when you hear new track “World Sick.” Despite a near seven-minute running time that’s as sprawling as their lineup and work has often been over the years, this is Broken Social Scene at their most devastatingly direct. Perhaps even their best as well.
If there’s one thing the Internet is good for (do not say pornography), it’s making judgments on stuff and endlessly categorizing and organizing bands into genres. Oh, and arguing about it— the Internet’s good for that as well.
So, without introduction — okay, much introduction — we’ve neatly organized this year’s Sasquatch! lineup for you in terms of musical “genres,” after the jump. Don’t like reading? Fine, we’ll just tell you the basics: it’s taking place from May 29 – 31 at the Gorge Ampitheatre in George, WA, and Pavement is playing. ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?!?!?!
There’s more to be announced as well, so if you’re really disappointed Limp Bizkit didn’t make the cut, well, keep your fingers crossed (or not).
Oh, those pealing bells of joy you hear? No, no, it’s not a wedding. It’s almost better! On May 4th, 2010, Broken Social Scene will release the long-awaited follow-up to their 2005 self-titled record via Arts & Crafts. The as-yet-untitled album will sport not only the collective’s current members, but also spots by Leslie Feist, Amy Milan and Evan Cranley (of Stars), Emily Haines and Jimmy Shaw (of Metric), as well as many, many other recognizable folk (former BSS family and other independent stars of that stripe).
After the wide critical success of their Broken Social Scene Presents… series, BSS has been moving in a new direction, one characterized by “more cohesive, melody-driven compositions than previous BSS output”. But the propulsion behind the new record remains (we’ve been assured), as grotesquely obvious and horrifically necessary as ever, mired perpetually in that shifty business we term love.
Also! In the name of spreading the aforementioned love, they’re embarking on a summer tour (of love). Dates after the jump. Read the full story
Hater Mondays: September will see the release of The Indie Rock Coloring Book, a compendium of illustrations by Andy J. Miller based on the oeuvre and aura of his favorite indie rock bands, including a “fill in Rilo Kiley’s hair” page and a “psychedelic” MGMT “playground”. We cannot front too hard because any proceeds the book collects will go to the Yellow Bird Project, which works with indie rockers to raise money for various charities. But the arrival of this illustrated tome forced us to delve into the psyche of such conceits—whose clear geneses reside in twee—which cherish an infantilized notion of “childlike splendor” and abhors the concept of “acting appropriately according to one’s birth year in relation to the present.” True, perhaps there are some extremely advanced children of coloring book age who will enjoy recreating the movie projector on The New Pornographers’ Twin Cinema album cover in crayon. More likely, we envision a gaggle of 24-year-old boy-men in rust-colored turtleneck sweaters using Utrecht-purchased colored pencil packs to fill in a Broken Social Scene maze (possibly while listening to ancient Beat Happening records). Caveat Emptor, amigos! Carpe Diem! This is not the new primitivism! Benjamin Button was a work of fiction! LIVE YOUR LIVES!
This past Saturday, stars aligned as Broken Social Scene reunited for a brief moment, with Emily Haines, Amy Millan, and Feist taking a break from their respective musical enterprises to jam with their former group at Toronto’s Harbourfront Center. This show is only one of many things on the band’s radar, including the recording of a new full-length, a book, and, apparently, starring in an upcoming film. Titled This Movie is Broken, the movie revolves around a fictitious couple attempting to score backstage passes to a BSS concert. The producers of the film are currently looking for footage of Toronto; to find out how to submit your filmic meditation on the lovely Canadian city, look here.
There is an abundance of footage on YouTube of the band’s performances from Saturday, check them out here.
Featuring music from: The Radio Dept., Badly Drawn Boy, Love Raid, Broken Social Scene, Portugal. The Man, Neon Indian, The Constellations, Everything Everything, The Drums, Crystal Fighters, Setting Sun, My Gold Mask, Overnight Lows, Me + Z, Cloud Nothings, Static Jacks, The Answering Machine, Bear Ceuse, Emma Pollock, Ash, The Seabellies, Here We Go Magic, Trances Arc, The New Pornographers, and Dr. Dog
We’re not sure Fela Kuti’s epic story should be told in any other format besides the musical, and we don’t even like musicals! That said, it just so happens we’re giving away two tickets to see the show for zero dollars. All you need to do is leave us a haiku in the comments before [...]
