Album Reviews of Broken Social Scene, Backini (pictured) and The Mitchell Brothers.

Broken Social Scene: Broken Social Scene

(Arts and Crafts)

Harnessing post-rock’s instrumentation and the irresistible pleasure of driving pop, Broken Social Scene have already given indie a much needed tatty trainer up the arse with last release ‘You Forgot It In People’. With their self-titled third album, the Canadian music club seem confident enough to give up showing the same urgency. Abandoning the avalanche of hooks approach, their songs fall under two categories: big sing-along Shine compilation reunions, and lazy lounging lullabies.

The vocals either belt out laments along to trumpeting choruses, as in ‘7/4 (shoreline)’, or drift in and out of a romantic haze, ‘swimmers’. With an amazing gift for dynamics, Broken Social Scene build up songs capable of being both epic and immensely personal at the same time, demonstrated beautifully in ‘major label debut’. Tightly wound high strings pluck out gentle, angelic chords. A kick drum slowly pounds away until a crescendo of fiddles lift you up into the sky.

If you play air-guitar to Fleetwood Mac when you think no one’s looking, if Björk’s reverse samples soothe you into a daydream, if you’ve fallen into a drooling trance to My Bloody Valentine, I urge you to find a way of listening to the galloping ‘fire eye’d boy’ or the swaying ‘hotel’. Everything sounds a little fuzzy and distorted. Although this dampens their tour-de-force energy, it helps create an amazing soundscape where we can lay a languid gaze over a collage of instruments interweaving lines around a rolling rhythm section.

8/10

Edd Gibson

Backini: Re:Creation

(Lumenessence Records)

This is the follow up to the debut record ‘Threads’, which was released in 2003. A variety of samples are seamlessly mixed into an impressive array of beats and grooves. This record somehow manages to masterfully condense an abundance of rich musical history into just fourteen tracks, lasting just a tad under an hour. From hip-hop to electro-fushion, Backini has all the bases covered.

‘Radio’ is a thumping tune, with brave lyrics such as "Tupac is dead, you rappers need to let the man rest". This not only challenges the mainstream rap industry, but also pays respects to a now deceased former influence. It was co-written by the LA hip-hop icon Droop Capone, proving that Bakini has friends in high places. The funky combinations are unrelenting, and ‘Waking’ displays some fine scratching skills, professionally timed and expertly executed. ‘Boathouse’ is musically dense and a real treasure chest of contemporary electronica. ‘Deus ex Machina’ takes the pace down a few notches, without losing any of the brilliance present on the faster numbers.

‘Chameleon’ mixes classic piano music with dirty beats, creating a kaleidoscope of sounds and making for very enjoyable listening. The amalgamation of styles acts like tin foil, keeping this record fresh and appealing again and again. ‘Little Big Horn’ is a personal favourite. It is smoother than Galaxy chocolate and more infectious than TB. Even if you hate dancing, this gem of a tune will make you succumb to it’s will, and get you moving in no time. Written and recorded in Brighton, this is one of the most intriguing records I have heard in years. There is something for everyone. If Mr Scruff ever had an affair with The Avalanches, Backini would be the funk filled offspring.

9/10

Stephen Thompson

The Mitchell Brothers: A Breath Of Fresh Attire

(The Beats)

May be soon, when we hear of The Mitchell Brothers we won’t think of hairless duo Phil and Grant, but rather the English rappers Teddy and Tony. After signing for The Streets front man Mike Skinner’s new label, their debut album ‘A Breath Of Fresh Attire’ must be one of the best British urban albums of the year. Interestingly, Skinner only signed them after Teddy slipped the duos mixed tape into his bag in a queue at a bank in Brixton!

It was back in Brixton that I saw the 24 year old South Londoners stirring performance while supporting The Streets, while they also impressed at Nelly’s European tour as they begin to make a name for themselves beyond Channel U.

The album features The Streets, Leo the Lion, Kano, and Sway in what is a who’s who of current UK urban talent. It is tellingly produced by Skinner, with his trademark beats peppered throughout. We also hear some upbeat melodies along with the pair’s lyrics on the everyday ups and downs of growing up in a city, much like Skinner has done in his two previous albums. The themes that the album touches on include football, drink, money, the Met’s stop and search policy, clothes, girls, and the dole. The lyrics combined with Skinner’s production, and even an element of humour, makes this album as English as a cup of tea.

‘A Breath Of Fresh Attire’ partly refers to the pair’s liking of being well-dressed, something that is far-flung from the US hip-hop scene where baggy clothes and flat peaks on a baseball cap are a must. The two, who are actually cousins rather than brothers, have a debut album to shout about. It is similar to The Streets at times but retains an air of originality.

8.5/10

Richard Clare

 

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