Broken Social Scene Revive Indie Rock’s Most Recent Golden Age

The Toronto supergroup has always made wide-scale, maximalist rock that inspires both music nerds and bros to send “This is EPIC!” text messages without thinking twice.

IMAGE: Norman Wong.

[BIG PICTURE INDIE-ROCK] In a year where many of the last big indie-rock bands—Fleet Foxes, Wolf Parade, Dirty Projectors, Grizzly Bear—returned with new music for the first time since early in Obama's second term, Broken Social Scene's Hug of Thunder sounds the most triumphant. This shouldn't come as a surprise. The Toronto supergroup has always made wide-scale, maximalist rock that inspires both music nerds and bros to send "This is EPIC!" text messages without thinking twice. After a brief instrumental intro, "Halfway Home" sends you right into Broken Social Scene's world. Bandleader Kevin Drew sings about broken dreams and inevitable death as the music swells higher and higher, layering strings and bright horns against a bed of feedback and one of Drew's best melodies. Hug of Thunder features the contributions of nearly everyone in the BSS orbit, but it's the lone Feist's lead vocal on the understated title track that shines brightest. Like the band's best work, it slows the pace but heightens the tension. "All along we're gonna feel some numbness/Oxymoron of our lives," she sings as the drums begins to rumble. If you haven't downloaded a lighter app for your phone, this is your queue. Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside St., 503-225-0047. 8 pm Tuesday, Oct. 24. $31 advance, $33 day of show. All ages.

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