Track Listing

1. Farewell to the Pressure Kids
2. TBTF
3. F--Ked Up Kid
4. Safety Bricks
5. Lucky Ones
6. Broke Me Up
7. Gang Bang Suicide
8. Frightening Lives
9. Underneath the Skin
10. Big Love
11. Backed out on the...
12. Agng Faces/Losing Places
13. Bodhi Sappy Weekend
14. When It Begins

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #82722 in Music
• Released on: 2007-09-18
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics

Album Description
Spirit If... is the first in a series of "Broken Social Scene Presents" albums. This solo effort from Kevin Drew unfolds like an emotional comic book. Drew's songwriting addresses all his favourite topics: fucking, fighting, fearing and hope. Both Drew and Brendan Canning, the two co-founders of Broken Social Scene, decided to approach making records as solo projects. In the process, the social scene community participated, playing key supporting roles, returning to the creative process that was the initial spark for BSS and giving birth to this new series.

Amazon.com
The cacophonic opening track to Kevin Drew's debut solo disc, Spirit If…, clashes and crashes its way through the first two minutes almost as if it has something to prove. Perhaps it is Drew's testament to the early days of the band he fronts (Broken Social Scene), or possibly he is just showing that he still loves sonic anarchy… either way, the lion's share of his solo debut is neither bombastic nor a true solo project. In fact, many different Broken members participate on this CD, including the three most indie-famous members: Feist (who shines in "Aging Faces/Losing Places"), Metric's Emily Haines, and Stars co-frontwoman Amy Millan. One thing that the CD makes crystal clear is the type of music Drew has been influenced by: tracks like "Safety Bricks" and "Lucky Ones" could just have easily come out of the mouths and minds of '90s indie rock bands Sebadoh, Pavement, or Dinosaur Jr. (especially the latter group). Smartly, Drew doesn't just resemble his idols, he includes them on this disc: Dino frontman J Mascis contributes vocals and guitars to "Backed Out on the…," while Pavement guitarist Scott Kannberg contributes noodlings on "Lucky Ones." All in all, this charming offering is less dissonant and more mellow than Broken discs, making it a sonically consistent ride that could--and should--bring more fans into the Drew fold. --Denise Sheppard

Customer Reviews

Drew breaks away from the social scene... (sorta)
Like most people who may stumble across this record, it occurred completely out of my love for Broken Social Scene and their two latest sonic masterpieces, "You Forgot It In People" and the self titled follow up. My expectations were not quite so high for this record, and seeing as how the whole BSS cast played here without it actually being a BSS release, I was unsure of what to expect.

If it is that quintessential BSS sound that you are thirsting for than you will find it on this record. Much like the supergroup's other work there is always an ecletic swell of voices and instruments, consistently anchored to that pounding backbeat that propels the music forward without rushing it. This record differs however in that there is not so much variance from song song. You will find Drew singing lead on every track, and for the most part an almost hushed and restrained feel prevails throughout the disc. The melodies are not as consistently strong as on the BSS records either.

This being said however, it is a very personal and poignant album lyrically, which is given weight by the hushed intimate feel. Some truly beautiful moments can be found on tracks like "Safety Bricks", "Broke Me Up", "Aging Faces/Losing Places", and "Bodhi Sappi Weekend". "Farewell to the Pressure Kids" kicks the record off with what proves to be the most bombastic two minutes of the record, and then ending with the same melody played in the calmer style. It is as if this track serves as a transition, introducing us to the mood of the rest of the album. J Macsis makes a fun appearrance on guitar in "Backed Out In The.." which any Dinosaur Jr. fans will probably get a kick out of. The disc ends with the folksy "When It Begins", which closes things off nicely as Drew jauntily sings "Its gonna be really hard when we get to the end, but don't forget what you've found.."

All in all, not the masterpeice that the last two BSS releases were, but a great album which will only sweeten with every listen.

super good
it just does so much right...
the abstract lyrics, the transition from track to track...

a euphoric plunge into my minds eye.

One of the best records of the year
Broken Social Scene has been one of my favorite bands since I discovered them about 5 years ago. This album, even though it is technically one member of the band's solo effort, still represents everything I love about them.

If you like Broken Social Scene, buy this record. It's like having another album from the full band, especially since Drew incorporates a lot of them into many of the songs as guests.