Album Review: Broken Social Scene, Hug Of Thunder

At this stage, Canadian art-rockers Broken Social Scene are less a band, more a small nation; currently, the Toronto collective have no less than 26 official members. Aside from the core duo of Brendan Canning and Kevin Drew, other notable names among the BSS diaspora include the likes of Emily Haines and Feist. And like Real Madrid, they are always looking to strengthen the squad, with a big recent signing being John McEntire of brilliant Chicago post-rock pioneers Tortoise.
As well as one of the best band names ever, Broken Social Scene also boast admirable consistency. Though Hug Of Thunder is their first LP in seven years, the constituent parts are still in fine working order and the album has several high-points. ‘Halfway Home’, for example, is a soaring effort with echoes of the band’s compatriots Arcade Fire, while ‘Skyline’ is another compelling exercise in anthemic rock.
‘Stay Happy’, meanwhile, is an infectious tune, built around a juddering rhythm. However, the band certainly haven’t discarded their avant-garde tendencies, and the title track’s dreamy soundscape proves to be the standout moment.
Overall, Hug Of Thunder makes for a perfect storm.