Jonesing for Some New Broken Social Scene But This Will Have to Do

    I recently listened--in their entireties--to both Feel Good Lost and You Forgot It In People, and it made me realize how much I am looking forward to and yearning for anything new coming from the Broken Social Scene camp. But is there anything on the horizon? Apparently they've done the score for a film called Snow Cake, but other than that there seems to be a dearth of news.
    For now, I suppose I'll have to make do with various members' solo works. You most likely already know about Emily Haines's moody and somber Knives Don't Have Your Back, but I didn't know whether you were aware of these.
    Memphis is Torquil Campbell's side project with Chris Dumont. (Torq is also in Stars. The Canadian music scene is so incestuous, isn't it? In a good way, of course.) This is a really nice little album, romantic and atmospheric, although it probably doesn't qualify as an "upper." My favorite song off it is the following, and it may not be the most representative, as it's pretty uptempo, but it will give you a feel for their sound.
Memphis--"I'll Do Whatever You Want" mp3 off A Little Place in the Wilderness (buy--I think it's still an import in the States) There's something about the opening guitar licks that evokes BSS, but Torq doesn't play guitar and Chris Dumont isn't in BSS, so I can't explain the impression.
    Apostle of Hustle is Andrew Whiteman's band. I liked this tune right away, especially the booming drums and the laughter in the very beginning. It doesn't come off all that BSS-y to me. That may be because, according to their website, they're "returning to their days as the minstrels of the alcoholic (or soundtrack to other people's drinking)", whatever that means.
Apostle of Hustle--"My Sword Hand's Anger" mp3 off National Anthem of Nowhere (buy--well, pre-order, as it comes out 3/6)
    Amy Millan is not only a member of BSS, but also of Stars. This is the least BSS sounding of the lot, as it's got a touch of that country twang to it.
Amy Millan--"Baby I" mp3 off Honey From the Tombs (buy) (mine comes from the Paste Magazine Sampler #24)
    I'm also including this achingly beautiful version of "Lover's Spit." It's sung by Leslie Feist and is different than the one on You Forgot It In People. It's at least one-third slower, the piano is more prevalent and her voice sounds almost haunted. (update--I was wrong about it predating YFIIP)
Broken Social Scene--"Lover's Spit (Feist vocal)" mp3 off Bee Hives (buy) Bee Hives is an album of B-sides and rarities. It's spooky and ethereal at times. There aren't a lot of melodies in the traditional sense. It is instructive, though, in that you can hear the progression/change in their sound and songwriting style from Feel Good Lost to YFIIP and, of course, onward to Broken Social Scene.
    So does anybody out there know anything about any activity from BSS? The most recent semi-related thing I found was a tune by k-os, a Canadian rapper whose new-ish song "Valhalla" features Kevin Drew and Sam Roberts. (Kevin Drew is one of the founding members of BSS and k-os appears on BSS's phenomenal self-titled album from 2005. See, I told you it was incestuous.) Check it out over at think tank.
    The above photo includes everyone mentioned here except Torquil Campbell and Feist. Andrew Whiteman is in the brown shirt, with, from l-r, Amy, Emily and Kevin on the bike.

tags: memphis  amy millan  apostle of hustle  broken social scene  

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