Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People
(Paper Bag)
It's not very often that I'll make an impulse purchase at the record store based on something the clerk has put on; less often still will I come to love that purchase, and say, "my, well this might become one of my favourite records!" Nevertheless, that has happened with the latest release from Toronto's Broken Social Scene, the instantly likeable future classic You Forgot It In People. Let me elaborate.
You Forgot It In People is a grab-bag of a whole lot a genres, and yet, it's remarkably cohesive. The trance-inducing drones of "Capture the Flag" segue perfectly into the back porch polyrhythms of "KC Accidental," which is followed by the lovely "Stars and Sons," after which comes the post-punk stomp of "Almost Crimes." The only things these songs share are the band's central members of Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning, and the moods that each evoke. What I'm trying to say, here, is that the mood of melancholy jubilance remains throughout the album, with some songs being reflectively joyous, while others are profoundly—yet hopefully—sad.
A good example of the latter would be the stunning "Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old
Girl," which, let's be honest, is the best song Mirah will never write. It's built around a simply plucked banjo, strings, and the soaring vocals of Emily Haines. "Used to be one of the rotten ones/And I liked you for that" is repeated several times in a warbling sing-song, followed by, "Now you're all gone/got your makeup on/and you're not coming back." The song is very simple, but I can't begin to convey how beautiful it is. In part due to it's repetition (which, I must admit, I'm a sucker for), but also because of Emily's almost childlike voice, "Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl" has in its lyrical and musical content what I think is one of the most incredible songs Canada has produced this year.
What's unfortunate is that, with the first half being so good, it's hard to sit through the second half without wanting to go back. Which is a shame, really, because the songs are just as good. Take, for instance, "Lover's Spit," which has one of the most affecting, beautiful builds in it, and some really striking group singing. Or, "Pitter Patter Goes My Heart," the too-short closer, which is as gorgeous as you could ever hope; it's instrumental, and only clocks in at just over two minutes, but I can't begin to express its greatness. Basically, it's all of the elements that have made the album good: strings, guitar, light drumming, and tasteful production, but it's just... amazing. It sums up the album perfectly.
With albums like this and Do Make Say Think's & Yet & Yet, it's hard to see why Canada isn't considered more of an artistic powerhouse. Both of these records reach near perfection, and carry with them a special sort of beauty. And both were released this year! Seek out You Forgot It In People, although I've got fears in the back of my mind that it'll be hard to get outside of Ontario, or, barring that, Canada. But seek it out. Please. You won't be sorry.
|
