t’s tough being an acclaimed indie-rock band. First, you get support from smaller sources (in this case, Web sites http://www.pitchforkmedia.com and http://allmusic.com). Then, a major publication features your band in hopes that the masses will pay the slightest bit of attention. Then, the fan base that built you up in the first place turns its back on you, calling you a sellout. Broken Social Scene is a long way from being a sellout, but there’s only so long that you can keep the lid on a good thing, as anyone fortunate enough to attend the Casbah show on Nov. 22 will learn.
You Forgot It in People, Arts & Crafts
The 14-piece band from Toronto has been gaining more and more attention, thanks to a healthy dose of critical acclaim, including winning a Juno award (Canada’s answer to the Grammy). A Rolling Stone feature and a U.S. tour have followed, and the band shows no sign of slowing down.
Its latest album, You Forgot It in People, is considered by many music elitists to be one of 2003’s best albums. It’s hard to disagree when listening to the band’s expansive sophomore album. Full of atmosphere, drama and intricacy, the band injects indie-rock convention with actual pop-hooks and imaginative songwriting. Just as on its records, the band’s live shows are collaborative efforts, with the simple reconstruction of songs taking a backseat to instinctual improvisation and band interplay.
Broken Social Scene consists of friends from various Toronto-based bands such as Metric, Do Make Say Think and the synth-pop band Stars, the latter of which is touring with Broken Social Scence. The sensitive songwriting of Stars recalls indie-pop favorites as the Magnetic Fields and Belle and Sebastian. Broken Social Scene and Stars play the Casbah Nov. 22.
