Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People (Album Review)

 

Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People

(2002)

My copy: 2017 reissue by Arts & Crafts.

What began originally as a bedroom two-piece was now rapidly evolving into one of Toronto’s most ambitious pop collectives: as the formidable You Forgot It In People rocketed Broken Social Scene into indie fame. Focused on expansive and borderline-baroque arrangements, they blur the lines between pop and ensemble music with a wide variety of instruments and performers.

Beginning quiet and curious, “Capture The Flag” shimmers and slowly rises - with horns yawning loudly as if to interrupt the gentle ambiance. “KC Accidental” then thrusts forward, centered on a grand melodic guitar riff that serves to break apart the cacophonous jam sequences. The music turns euphoric with swells for strings and voice, before rising to a mountainous crescendo, then running out of steam. Cool organ dances lightly through “Stars And Sons” with romantic, drunken vocal rambling, tying this relaxed indie-rock piece together nicely with feedback and electronic swells. Most of their progressions would be unremarkable in the hands of Arcade Fire or similar bands, but thanks to clever use of layering these pieces manage to feel unique. “Almost Crimes” mixes in a crackling saxophone for added texture over a catchy duet for female and male vocals. There are dissonant surges that threaten to untether their compositions, but then they flow smoothly into coffeehouse ballad “Looks Just Like The Sun” with warm hand percussion and breathable instrumentation; though the noise can be heard attempting to claw its way back in under the surface. 

Live drums intertwine with electronic loops on “Pacific Theme” where sweet, motherly arpeggios are unfortunately undercut by somewhat tactless horns. One of their big hits, “Anthems For A Seventeen Year Old Girl” is an emotional march of repetition that plays to themes of innocence and bittersweet maturation, churning and building around warped vocals. The subtly anthemic “Cause = Time” takes the rhythmic focus away from the chorus, instead crashing into instrumental frenzies before breaking down into half time. “Late Nineties Bedroom Rock For The Missionaries” toys with structure and atmosphere via low tremolo and whispered background vocals while “Shampoo Suicide” makes use of polyphony to stretch vocals out into a wash of harmony, all with careening, delayed guitar accents. “Lover’s Spit” is their closest brush with shoegaze, thanks to droning organ and distorted guitars while the lyrics touch on indulgence and dependency. 

“I’m Still Your Fag” dives back into lounge jazz or RnB and is notable for it’s tragic story of societal pressure and forbidden love. As if to mirror the introductory track, “Pitter Patter Goes My Heart” begins with a swaying reprisal of the string motif from “Anthems...,” now slowly unraveling and dissipating quietly with one final wash of ambiance. 

Considering what a collaborative effort the record is, You Forgot It In People manages to still feel light and fresh - ensuring each addition fits into a delicate balance. The production is well balanced similarly, though some additional instruments don’t always feel necessary. You Forgot It In People should stand as an example of executing grand and dramatic pop/rock music without delving off the path too much.