Grade: B | Genre: Prog Rock Summary: What made You Forgot It In People one of my favorites, from the dynamic rhythms to the lush melodies, are evident on this record, but because of Producer Dave Newfeld's self-imposed commitment to top himself, Broken Social Scene forgets that it's about musical growth and not about out doing your big brother. My first impression of Canada's Broken Social Scene came via the stomach turning "Lover's Spit" off the Wicker Park Soundtrack. Lyrics like, "All these people drinking lover's spit / They sit around and clean their face with it," created squeamish imagery that overshadowed otherwise luscious melodies forcing my finger towards the skip button. It was that track that extinguished my desire to pursue the band further until a friend (thanks Mark!) handed over a collection of albums that included Broken Social Scene's You Forgot It In People. It was a symphonic masterpiece that I almost never got a chance to experience and one that quickly became part of my must have list for 2004 (eventhough it came out 2 years before). Now, just one year after my late discovery and 3 years since You Forgot It In People, Broken Social Scene returns with their 3rd self-titled release full of musicians (six new members to an already 10+ piece band) and ruckus tunes for your listening enjoyment.

So what's a band to do with all those musicians originating from the likes of Stars, K.C. Accidental, Apostle Hustle and Do Make Say Think? An orchestra of 30+ players can pull off feats of musical brilliance under the guidance of a skilled conductor, but alas, Broken Social Scene is no orchestra. With so much music packed in, one would find it difficult to contain an explosion of musical chaos while presenting a sense of unity and cohesiveness. You Forgot It In People somehow proved us wrong as it displayed organized confusion within a rich musical spectrum. Broken Social Scene does it's best to improve on its predecessor; however, you almost get the feeling that it's also trying top itself.

"Our Faces Split the Coast in Half" strums itself into a wonderful jam session over layered tracks. It's like a sound check to warm up the pipes and instruments before the main show. However, this is really one of the qualities that I love about Broken Social Scene. They are a jam band like no other. Their instrumentals aim to penetrate your mood while keeping you interested in the music unlike tired acts such as Dave Matthews Band and Phish. Sorry.

Don't hold your breath, because this is where the noise and confusion begins to kick in. You really want to rock it out with "Ibi Dreams of Pavement (A Better Day)" and "7/4 (Shoreline)," but the extra number of band members creates obnoxious reverb that keeps us from really hearing the music.

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A prime example of beautiful music turned ugly is "Fire Eye'd Boy." It begins innocently enough with guitar riffs characteristic of great indie rock flare, but inevitably turns into loud static. The vocals become distorted, and you wish you could get more out a song that you know could be better. On the other hand, "Swimmers" and "Hand Job for the Holidays" hit the mark, but it's just not enough to deem the record a classic, especially with You Forgot It In People as a lead in.

Unfortunately, Broken Social Scene isn't the next breakthrough for the band that we were hoping. What made You Forgot It In People one of my favorites, from the dynamic rhythms to the lush melodies, are evident on this record, but because of Producer Dave Newfeld's self-imposed commitment to top himself, Broken Social Scene forgets that it's about musical growth and not about out doing your big brother. It kind of feels like an unedited movie; a rough draft before the final cut. If you could pull back the cushions and suck out the debris, this really could have been a record that would make you forget You Forgot It In People.