Forgiveness Rock Record
Arts & Crafts
2xLP/CD
I wasn't really on board with BSS until 2005's classic self-titled romp, and it appears they aren't looking back. They have become an indie rock band in the vein and relative importance of Pavement. Unlike Arcade Fire, too many cooks barely disturb the pot that Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning, and company are cooking in. With so many singers and guest musicians, you would think there would be clutter with players choosing their spots but each track is well-crafted. The songs aren't trying to be overly catchy, more calculating and solid.
"World Sick," kicks it off and it may be the highlight of the album. There is a great pace throughout the first half that is more reminiscent of Feel Good Lost than the self-titled record. This album is really the marriage of what the band started off as and what they became into something bigger. This is just the latest progression of their musical identity. There are plenty of new elements, such as the use of the Dap-Kings' horn section on "Art House Director," that does not only take away (You may recall my distaste for horns in rock music) or annoy but is welcome. Half way through the album, I'm not even sure who I'm listening to anymore. "Ungrateful Little Father," could just as easily fit on a Modest Mouse album. The second half slows everything down. Typically, of course, albums run bi-polar in pace: up-tempo/ballad/up-tempo/slow, etc. This album more once to wake you up and then chill you out, at least until standout track "Water In Hell," gives you one last adrenaline rush before Kevin Drew delivers his not-for-kids lullabye, "Me And My Hand," which is certainly the low point of the album. Judging by the whole, the album would have benefitted from leaving this last track off because it is, by far, the weakest track and has no energy.
Listening to this album is a bigger ordeal than you realize going in but there are certainly plenty of rewards along the way. The band has taken another step on a different path. They took some steps off the trail but I believe eventually arrived where they wanted.
Track Grades:
- World Sick - 8.9
- Chase Scene - 7.7
- Texico Bitches - 8.3
- Forced To Love - 8.1
- All To All - 8.7
- Art House Director - 8.4
- Highway Slipper Jam - 7.2
- Ungrateful Little Father - 7.5
- Meet Me In The Basement - 8.0
- Sentimental X's - 7.7
- Sweetest Kill - 7.9
- Romance To The Grave - 8.2
- Water In Hell - 8.6
- Me And My Hand - 6.8
Lo-Fi For The Dividing Nights
Arts & Crafts
Download only
Like 2005's self-titled, there is a concurrent collection of outtakes and leftovers along with a new LP. Largely consisting of what could be instrumental interludes on another album, this EP is really for die hard fans. If you can only download individual tracks, I recommend "Eling's Haus," and "Paperweight Room,".
Track Grades:
- New Instructions - 6.9
- Sudden Foot Loss - 6.5
- Shabba Lights - 6.1
- Song For Dee - 7.0
- Eling's Haus - 7.8
- Professor Sambo - 5.9
- Never Felt Alive - 7.4
- Paperweight Room - 7.7
- Turbo Mouse - 6.2
- Far Out - 6.8
