Sep 29, 2007

Broken Social Scene Presents: Kevin Drew - Spirit If... (Arts & Crafts, 2007)

As founder - and one of the core-members - of Broken Social Scene, a collective of Canadian musicians that includes the likes of Feist, Metric's Emily Haines, Stars' Amy Millan, and many others, Kevin Drew has spent the better part of the new millenium creating life-affirming albums full of sonic-pop experiments, beguiling lyrics, and often sweet and tender melodies.
In comparison to the group's previous albums, Spirit If... - a Broken Social Scene album in all but name - is a far more refined affair, and is all the better for it. While I am a big fan of Broken Social Scene, I find that on occasion, the impact of their songs is lost beneath the multi-textured layers of sound that are one of the band’s trademarks, but which can be distracting at times.
The focus of Spirit If… is squarely on Drew and his fine songwriting ability. Songs such as TBTF, F..cked Up Kid and Gang Bang Suicide all share a tender fragility that belie their somewhat provocative titles, and which seems to be a template for most of the album. Drew knows his way around a pop song and this album is littered with gems that will stay with you long after the album has finished spinning. The joyful spirit of the album is perhaps best conveyed in the celebratory Backed Out On The…, which features lead guitar and backing vocals from Dinosaur Jr. front man, J Mascis, and is one of the best sing-a-long songs of 2007.

Check Out: www.myspace.com/kevindrewspiritif

Sounds A Bit Like: The best parts of Broken Social Scene; hearts mending; one of the best albums of 2007.