Broken Social Scene (2 Discs) [Limited Edition]

Bands that draw musicians from other well-known acts are called supergroups. Broken Social Scene is a supercollective. Ranging from 5 to 17 members, the Toronto-based outfit includes musicians from Stars, Metric, and many other bands, as well as the up-and-coming Leslie Feist. Frontmen Kevin Drew (formerly of Do Make Say Think) and Brendan Canning (By Divine Right, Len) founded BSS in 1999 and their mission has stayed constant: take a deep love of indie rock and expand on that by making experimental minisymphonies. Their latest work is not so much a series of songs as it is a musical mood. The infectious cacophony comes through immediately, opening with a rapidly expanding collection of xylophones and trombones that create Burt Bacharach-style instrumental jaunts, while Kevin Drew's vocals whisper through the melodic mayhem. Notable tracks--from the rhythmic "Fire Eye'd Boy," to the gorgeously floaty "Major Label Debut," to "Ibi Dreams of Pavement" (featuring rapper K-Os)--have two elements in common: all feature expansive melodies and all have vocals consciously (sometimes annoyingly) buried quite low in the mix. However, the CD's highlight (and disc-closer), "It's All Gonna Break," holds the key to BSS's beauty; it's simultaneously far-reaching and uplifting, a near-perfect 10 minutes of music. This limited-edition version of the release also contains a seven-song EP filled with some dropped tracks and an alternative version of "Major Label Debut." --Denise Sheppard

Broken Social Scene & Friends

You Forgot It in People , Broken Social Scene	Bee Hives, Broken Social Scene	Feelgood Lost, Broken Social Scene
Let It Die, Feist	Set Yourself on Fire, Stars	Idols of Exile, Jason Collett

UK Limited edition 2 CD set. Ranging from five to 17 members, the Toronto-based outfit includes musicians from Stars, Metric, and many other bands, as well as the up-and-coming Leslie Feist. Frontmen Kevin Drew (formerly of Do Make Say Think) and Brendan Canning (By Divine Right, Len) founded BSS in 1999 and their mission has stayed constant: take a deep love of Indie rock and expand on that by making experimental mini-symphonies. Their latest work is not so much a series of songs as it is a musical mood. City Slang. 2006.

Once Described as the "Indie Wu Tang Clan", Broken Social Scene Are the Lynchpin in the Musical Utopia that Has Evolved in Canada, in Particular Toronto, Over the Past Few Years. Featuring Some 17 Members, Many of Whom were Childhood Friends and all of Whom Happily Cross-pollinate in Each Other's Live Bands and Studio Recordings, Broken Social Scene Are a Modern-day Phenomena. The Two Key Members of Bss Are Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. Kevin is also the Foundation of the Arts and Crafts Collective, which is at Any One Time "a Record Label, Artist Management, Design House, Distribution and Production Company... Dedicated to the Development and Proliferation of Beauty and Greatness in all Disciplines of the Arts." Lofty and Wonderful Ambitions One and All.