CD: "Broken Social Scene" by Broken Social Scene; Arts and Crafts records

Release Date: October 2005

Style: Rock

My take: The Toronto, Canada, hipster band Broken Social Scene has delivered its follow-up to 2003's "You Forgot It in People," a breezy affair that was widely hailed as one of the best albums of the year. Some critics, unable to keep their hyperbole in check, went as far as to call it one of the best records in the past five, 10 or 20 years.

The current release, the eponymous "Broken Social Scene," rivals the band's previous attempts at sonic greatness, and, in some respects, surpasses its achievements.

While "You Forgot" was a very eclectic affair — some songs were quite country oriented, some were pop-rock jewels and some were bossa-nova pieces — "Broken Social Scene" is, in a sense, a much more focused record in that the songs all have a very similar style.

While the band hasn't totally eschewed experimentation, most of the songs here have the same sort of driving, yet laid-back and airy, and dense feel. Like the atmospheric debut album "Feel Good Lost," the layering on "Broken Social Scene" is very deep and listeners can surely pick out new parts on every listen. This keeps the record fresh every time it is played.

The claustrophobic opener "Our Faces Split the Coast in Half" is a sign of things to come. It goes through sparse periods, then builds with percussion crescendos, and, at the two-minute mark, the entire song's mood changes, which is something Broken Social Scene has become quite deft at.

The album's single "7/4 (Shoreline)" is perhaps most reminiscent of anything on "You Forgot It in People," but the band has managed to add a more rock feel to its coastal California sound, giving its sound immeasurable depth. "Finish Your Collapse and Stay for Breakfast" can be considered an intro track, but really, it's similar to the band's work on "Feel Good Lost" and shouldn't be skipped.

"Major Label Debut" is the most country-tinged song on the record, and "Fire Eye'd Boy" is another upbeat number, as is "Windsurfing Nation" (which was the album's original name). Although many of the songs can be put in the "mid to uptempo" range, Broken Social Scene has figured out a way to change vocal deliveries and instrumentation to the point where everything feels very fresh.

"Hotel" offers a groove-driven number not unlike the work of The Sea and Cake or Tahiti 80 and is a real treat. The album closes with "It's All Gonna Break," a 10-minute piece that does indeed sound like it might fall apart. It makes for one of the most exciting songs recorded to disc last year.

"Broken Social Scene" really does have something for every music listener. It rocks enough in places to keep fans of heavier types of music engaged, but is subdued enough for listening before bed.

The bonus EP that is packaged with the album is also a very special treat and enhances the experience of listening to Broken Social Scene. This album should not be ignored and is probably one of the best released last year, and maybe — just maybe — the past 10.

Joshua Masayoshi Huff, a graduate of Moanalua High School, attends George Washington University in Washington, D.C.