What’s That Noise?

Michelle da Silva

Broken Social Scene Presents Kevin Drew

Broken Social Scene (BSS) is the Mickey Mouse Club of Canadian indie music. Spawning the likes of indie darlings Emily Haines of Metric, Amy Millan of Stars, and Leslie Feist (better known simply as Feist), BSS is ready to put another member of this exclusive club of prodigious musicianship in the spotlight: enter Kevin Drew.

Drew was actually a founding member of BSS, along with Brendan Canning, and therefore has collaborated on three BSS albums: 2001’s Feel Good Lost, 2002’s You Forgot It in People, and 2005’s Broken Social Scene. He was also a member of lesser-known band KC Accidental, which also consisted of BSS members. This year, Kevin Drew released Spirit If…, a “solo effort,” which I say hesitantly in quotations since BSS plays backup on pretty much all 14 tracks. Consider this album more of what the pre-title suggests — “Broken Social Scene Presents: Kevin Drew.”

The album opens with “Farewell to the Pressure Kids,” filled with rock-inspired passion over the BSS signature of overlapping instrumentals. Drew’s voice can be heard almost yelping above the aggressive drumbeats and the psychedelic polyphone. Another favorite, “Gangbang Suicide,” is, despite what the title suggests, soft, acoustic, and poetic. Drew’s voice is, overall, gentle and loving, secretive and heartbreaking.

Drew and Co. began their tour at the end of September on Canada’s East Coast before fleeing off to Europe for a whirlwind 15-city tour. He will be serenading Vancouver audiences on October 25, 2007 before heading south of the border for more touring until mid-November. Catch the ever-so-talented and always-inspiring BSS with Kevin Drew at one of their many stops. For a complete list of tour dates, visit Drew’s website at www.arts-crafts.ca/kevindrew/