It's Something, That's For Sure

Last year the Broken Social Scene hiatus project went into effect. "Hiatus project" is a good way to describe it, as I think you can't really call a Broken Social Scene album by that name unless it includes some performance, no matter how small, by ALL the members of the huge collective. The last time we were treated to that was on the 2005 self-titled album, which was then followed by a full-on touring ensemble which resulted in my favorite set at Lollapalooza 2006. Shortly afterwards, main BSS dude Kevin Drew announced there would be a hiatus. The ladies of Broken Social Scene went back to their respective other solo and/or band incarnations, as did a few of the men, with a couple guys left behind to fend for themselves in the aftermath. And so the "Broken Social Scene Presents..." idea was born, featuring songs performed by varying members of the band, with assistance by other members of the band, but NOT the full band. Kevin Drew released the first installment of the series last year, and "Spirit If..." turned out to be surprisingly good to the point where it made my list of favorite albums in 2007.

This year, Brendan Canning is taking over the reins with an album titled "Something for All of Us." As somebody who is used to a couple years of leeway between Broken Social Scene albums, this does feel like it follows a little too closely on the heels of Kevin Drew's effort, but that shouldn't really make it any less important. Yet somehow I don't feel as excited or inspired this time around. To be clear from the start, I don't think this is a bad album by any means. It's more like the words Broken Social Scene, which I've associated with musical brilliance for so many years now, feel slightly weakened by this Brendan Canning album.

Maybe this has to do with, as I've mentioned already, the album being released less than a year after Kevin Drew's effort. I feel like I'm still digesting "Spirit If..." and my stomach/ears aren't ready for another portion of BSS-associated music. I've always felt like the band had a distinct sound to them, and the more material that gets poured on, the more that sound almost dilutes itself. Kevin Drew's album held to the Broken Social Scene mold pretty well but was still able to add different pieces (personal touches, probably) to create something that was familiar yet still unique in terms of its association with the group.

Brendan Canning does this in a similar manner, but his album mines from a different aspect of the Broken Social Scene aesthetic. Whereas Kevin Drew may have tinkered with the quieter, moodier and smoother jazz-influenced side of things, akin more to the first BSS album "Feel Good Lost," Canning skews a bit more towards the louder numbers that have higher energy and plenty of electric guitar, akin more to the last self-titled BSS album. The problem I find is that those louder BSS tracks are more anthemic in nature than anything else, and incorporate a large number of instrumental elements to help achieve that sound. "Something for All of Us" lacks that anthemic nature in most of the tracks, both in screeching guitars and choruses that are bigger than life. Granted, it's clear that not every song is shooting for the moon, but there are a couple that feel like they could've been taken to another level but weren't. The same pretty much goes for the quiet stuff as well, because when Canning takes everything down a few notches there's a sparseness that makes it seem emptier and less purposeful than could and should be. Again, that's not at all bad, I just don't think it quite lives up to the massive expectations a BSS-associated project should have.

Though I will say that "Something for All of Us" is the weakest album that's ever had the Broken Social Scene name attached to it, this is still better than a vast majority of other records released so far in 2008. And much like how its release came somewhat shortly after Kevin Drew's BSS effort, Brendan Canning's album feels like it's chasing "Spirit If..." at a moderately close range. The songs generally hit home, but lack...depth and breadth. Ultimately I'm very pleased with the end product but really only have one request- get the whole band back together already. Drag Feist and her iPod ad, along with the rest of the crew back into the studio to give us a proper Broken Social Scene record again. Things are just not the same without everybody's involvement, just like witnessing a Broken Social Scene live show these days isn't what it could be. I suppose I'm also grateful though, because getting these "BSS Presents" projects are better than getting nothing at all, and though the overall material may be weaker, it carries the same aesthetic. And that's about all you can ask for while we wait for a full reunion that may or may not happen, right?

Broken Social Scene Presents Brendan Canning- Hit the Wall
Broken Social Scene Presents Brendan Canning- Chameleon (left click)

Buy "Something for All of Us" from Arts & Crafts

Labels: brendan canning, broken social scene