Categories : Music Reviews, Rock + Pop.
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Rating: 4 / 5 Reviewer: David Coats |
Something For All Of Us… is the second release in the BSS Presents series, following the 2007 release of Kevin Drew’s Spirit If… While this is still clearly a Social Scene record (complete with performances from 21 members of the BSS extended family), the difference here is that these are Canning’s songs, and this leads to some subtle stylistic deviations that will likely determine your opinion of this record.
It’s clear that Drew is Social Scene’s “rock star,†while Canning keeps things grounded and focused. Where Spirit If… was full of rock-star bombast, Canning’s record hearkens back to the earlier days of Social Scene, and is a meeting point between the instrumental experimentation of Feel Good Lost with the balanced cohesiveness of You Forgot It In People. The record is more stylistically cohesive than Drew’s, even if it does lack the knockout punch and self-indulgent charm of some of Drew’s songs. More importantly, Canning’s songs allow for an emotional experience that is alternately communal and poignantly solitary. This is especially the case with the uplifting, multi-part instrumental ‘All The Best Wooden Toys Come From Germany,’ and ‘Been At It So Long,’ songs you genuinely lose yourself in. ‘Chameleon’ is arguably the record’s finest song for how it brings the two sides of Canning together at once, demonstrating Canning’s ability to not only build relationships between songs, but to build relationships between instruments within songs. Canning also demonstrates his melodic skill with the catchy ‘Churches Under The Stairs’ and expansive ‘Possible Grenade.’
Drew and Canning have promised a proper Social Scene record before any further Social Scene Presents albums are released, and as strong as their solo material has been, it will be exciting to see them join forces again. Meantime, Something For All Of Us… isn’t as instantly memorable as Drew’s Spirit If…, but is rich in artistic experimentation and emotion, and offers valuable rewards for those willing to dig a little deeper. Don’t underrate this one.
