You can definitely hear a few new influences, especially from other Canadian bands: theres more than a little New Pornographers in the chorus of Protest Song, and several of these songs sound like they could have been co-written by Win Butler. Most of the cuts here would feel just as comfortable on previous albums like You Forgot it in People and their self-titled 2005 effort. The downside of all of these good vibes is that the record doesnt really bring anything new to the table. In our interview with band member Andrew Whiteman, he noted how the band is still friends after 15 years of playing together, and it shows. You can practically hear how much fun these guys are having making this music, and its infectious. Highlights like the grimy Vanity Pail Kids and Gonna Get Better, whose chorus shamelessly quotes The Beatles, build on a foundation of solid instrumentation and a collaborative spirit. There isnt a hair out of place on tracks like triumphant single Halfway Home and Fleet Foxes-inspired Skyline. Its as if someone tried to make the most Broken Social Scene of Broken Social Scene records: not only does it meet every expectation, but it hugs them tightly and doesnt let go.įan favourites like Feist and Metrics Emily Haines are in full form, and their experience with their own musical projects adds to the variety of styles at play. The interplay between vocalists and founding members Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning blend together like careful brushstrokes in a Bob Ross painting. Listening to the record, youd think the band never went on hiatus: the back-and-forth between the members is natural and effortless. Its a crowd pleaser in every sense of the term. Over 11 tracks, the band plays to their strengths and recalls some of their best moments, focussing both on pleasing longtime followers and attracting new ones. Hug of Thunder, the first Broken Social Scene record since 2010s Forgiveness Rock Record, is aptly named: Its warm and familiar like an embrace, with just enough of a spark.
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