Broken Social Scene’s
Forgiveness Rock Record is like running into your ex-lover, grabbing coffee to catch up on each other’s lives while reminiscing on old times, and then asking forgiveness for past transgressions. It looks back, even mirrors at times
You Forgot It In People but doesn’t quite reach the same epic quality. Maybe a similar lovely tune without the sense of newness? “World Sick” kicks off the album with strong drummin’ and a catchy chorus. I enjoy “Texico Bitches” because I can sing the song to my geologist friends. And recently, I’ve replaced Texico with BP! (It’s all the same, really.) “Forced to Love” is classic windsurfing nation BSS while “All to All” is a beautiful moment, set in a comfortable range. It’s one of the only places you can get lost in that pleasant daze they do so well, yet, still want to explore the echo. The layered sounds of “Highway Slipper Jam” gaze straight into a blood red setting sun, one you can’t turn away from, while weaving though a sad, dusty place I “thought I knew. But I don’t”. One of the best songs.
Whenever I listen to an album I, usually consciously, try to reason where the title comes from. Broken Social Scene does what few have achieved—the album actually
feels like the title: forgiveness. For what, you ask? Forgiveness for giving up? For loving too much, or maybe not enough? For forcing something that isn’t there? Forgive me, but I really couldn’t care less. It’s not an easy feeling, and they hint at that complexity in tight, composed songs. It might not be as sprawling as
You Forgot It In People and more official critics might be more harsh, but I love the record. And forgive it at the same time. A must have, without a doubt, for fans. With that said, for reasons unknown even to myself,
Beehives is my favorite BSS record to date. I can’t be trusted. Hopefully that puts it more into perspective? Sorry.
