A dark, dank melancholy drifts over Broken Social Scene, the latest in an unfortunate series of Canadian bands lumbered with the ‘new Arcade Fire’ tag. In truth, the Toronto group traffic in sounds far stranger and more otherworldly than that of their Montreal compatriots.
They say less is more. Obviously ‘they’ hadn’t seen Broken Social Scene. I quickly ran out of fingers trying to count exactly how many individuals comprise this rampaging Canadian horde. But, hey, let’s not worry about quantifying the experience, it’s the quality that counts, right?
With their affirmative vibes and sprawling line-up, indie heroes Broken Social Scene are a sight to behold. But keeping this 40-legged rock machine on the road isn't always exactly a romp in the playground, confesses fromtman keving Drew.
They’ve recorded with Broken Social Scene and once shared a flat with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Now Toronto avant-rockers Metric are set to make a splash of their own.
They're unheralded heroes of Canadian rock, purveyors of slinky indie-pop and swooning torchsongs about gay football hooligans. Say hello to Stars, the other great band from Montreal.
You know her as the songstress from Stars and Broken Social Scene. Doing her own thing AMY MILLAN reveals herself to be, of all things, a country chanteuse, her heart heavy with woe.
Hotly tipped Britrockers Los Campesinos talk about the influence of the '90s riot grrrl scene on their music and explain why the prospect of arena rock success doesn't rev their motors.
Millan comes stamped with the Broken Social Scene/Stars seal of approval, serving time in both bands as a vocalist, so in theory ‘Baby I’ should be something to get quite excited about. In reality it’s an acoustic stroll that doesn’t ever find second gear. An interesting voice in search of a better song.
To coincide with a tour supporting Bloc Party (only in Blighty – humph!), Metric, a Canadian quartet who often lend their lead singer Emily Haines to Broken Social Scene, are releasing this little gem of a T.U.N.E. from their 2005 release, Live It Out. ‘Empty’, the album’s opener, is reminiscent of BSS for the first minute or so as it floats along gently and inconspicuously, before raw and rockin’ energy breaks out of nowhere. If you already have the album, give yourself a pat on the back, and then get this for the b-side: a Howie B remix of ‘The Police And The Private’.
The border counties may not exactly be a hotbed of indie rock but that hasn’t stopped Monaghan hopefuls The Flaws from producing one of the year’s most mesmerising debuts.
2006 seems to be the Chinese year of the side project, what with Broken Social Scene, James Dean Bradfield, The Raconteurs, Thom Yorke and now this second album from Queens Of The Stone Age frontman Josh Homme – or ‘Baby Duck’ as his alter ego dictates.
Those lucky sods who happened across Leslie Feist’s second record, Let It Die, will no doubt be lighting bonfires just now to welcome the advent of its eagerly-awaited follow-up.
So, how was it for you? On reflection, 2003 was a good year but one that offered little in the way of genuine surprises. Not that we didn’t go looking for them. As always the hunt was on to find the next big thing, the one new act that would define 2003 in years to come.
Rollerskate Skinny frontman Ken Griffin is back with an ace new band, Favourite Sons. And, would you believe it, they’re the toast of New York’s rock scene. Even Jack White’s a convert.
Underwater Cinematographer takes a few listens for the material to take hold, but the moments where The Republic bring it all together are worth waiting for.
Annual article: The Electric Picnic wasn’t just one of the musical events of the year; it also let us chow down and have a natter with some of the top pop combos of the day, including Bloc Party, Gang Of Four and New Order.
Half Nelson reminds us how cool the independent sector used to be – two first-timers expand a 2004 short into a kick-arse screenplay, land the services of a super actor (Gosling) and end up with a dozen awards and an Oscar nod.
They love Ireland and Ireland loves them. As the Arcade Fire ramp up for world domination, the band talk about love, death, war and making music in churches.
Stars and Broken Social Scene member Amy Millan is bringing her solo show to Ireland.
Music Review | Live
15% | 7 Sep 2006
They said it couldn’t be done, but this year’s Electric Picnic achieved the impossible by being even more joyous, vibey and action-packed than its predecessors. Hot Press was in the thick of things as 200 acts and 30,000 music lovers descended on one very big house in the country.
