They say, ‘life wasn’t meant to be easy,’ and for the music reviewer is can be nigh on impossible. Take this album for example, it’s got heritage and quality writ large all over it, but can I understand it…? But I do actually like it a lot…so what is one to say?

If Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene was sitting next to me I’d ask, ‘so explain this little beauty Kev…’ Opener ‘Farewell To The Pressure Kids’ sounds extraordinary with its crashing instrumental intro and undecipherable, distant vocal. The revolving rhythm is heart-stopping, and then the swooning vocal seems to go in reverse before keyboards and drums welcome in the second part of the song, which is more clearly defined, albeit with a vocal that is just about audible. And you know what? It’s a fabulous track and one I will open my next radio show with. I suspect that the song’s title is what it’s all about but frankly it sounds so good, I just don’t friggin’ care. ‘TBTF’ is next and is slightly more conventional with a relentless pace and superb melody, but what’s it all about Kevin? Like it though… ‘F-ked Up Kid’ has stacks of musical invention and this time I go onto the Internet to try and find some lyrics, and here they are:

Skin stains are left across the floor

And I know it’s cause we didn’t speak about the war

My time is only a guess

Faces are like out upon the wall

And I hope the rumors will break your fall

Guess it’s gonna be a love for the fucked up kid

Spoiled fingers in a club that’s a mess

I’ve separated their eyes from their chest

And I think we look like the rest

And if you seize the carrot from there

He might take his words and write down with his plan

I know ya did, cause he’s in love with the fucked up kid

And all the puddles that are disserving to explain

And I heard there’s a funeral formulating

And they say their lies are better than the tests

And when you came back you killed me with a kiss

Like a glorious fire I wish I missed

Oh shit, I guess I’m in love with the fucked up kid

And I still can’t figure it out! There are several songs here that blow me away including the bouncing, guitar dominated ‘Broke Me Up’, and the acoustic sound of ‘Gang Bang Suicide’ (lyrics below).

Well if you love, what you are

Then your notes (nose?), try to solve

All the things, you can’t leave

Through the minds, and retrieve

They say size, doesn’t care

But my heart, Is a house

Will you come, and move in

Leave a space, for us to give

They say size, doesn’t care

But my heart, Is a house

They say size, doesn’t care

But my heart, Is a house

They say size, doesn’t care

But my heart, Is a house

They say size, doesn’t care

But my heart, Is a house

All makes sense now eh….? ‘Big Love’ has a massive bass-line with shrill vocal harmonies and a lead vocal that’s lost in an astonishing electronic din, with a complete change of instrumentation close to its conclusion…

Feel lucky? Feel adventurous? Then you gotta try this record because it will keep you guessing like nothing you ever heard. There’s an astounding diversity of sound, for example out of the blue on ‘Backing Out On The…’ country fiddles appear alongside thrashed guitars… a Hammond dominates the simpler vibe of ‘Bodhi Sappy Weekend’ and then things get (unusually) simple in the alt-country, acoustic ‘When It Begins’ – well almost, until the last few passages when an organ, that sounds as though it’s be dragged through the desert sand, kicks the song finally into touch. Fascinating, puzzling, great… You got me Kev but I’m not sure how or why.

4/5