Record Label: Arts and Crafts Records
Genre: Indie Pop
Band Link: link
Buy on Amazon.com link

Yes, this is another band with members also in Broken Social Scene. But I mean, BSS has a pretty good track record, with awesomeness literally gushing out of it into all kinds of projects, including Andrew Whiteman’s Apostle of Hustle. On this their second album, they really are coming into their own. Where their first album, Folkloric Feel, was a far simpler acoustic album, this one really seems to embrace a polyrhythmic, international feel. It feels tight and well-written and constructed, and is tons of fun to listen to.

It’s weird. I’ve listened to this album a couple of times and half of the time I forget it’s on. But when I do listen to a song here or there, it’s amazing. I think it’s a testament to the record that it has that ability to be completely unassuming but very strong. Each song seems to have the same amount of love and precise instrumentation that it deserves; changes in tempo, tone, or sound, only enhance the entire album’s cohesion.

Unlike the last Broken Social Scene record, which felt like too much was going on, National Anthem of Nowhere seems to have the right mix of songwriting, layering, and tightness to show that the band are the real deal. Their sound is rooted in simple folk-pop songs, but layered with Afro-Cuban beats, distorted indie pop, acoustic noodling, and the occasional Spanish vocal.

Basically, if you love Broken Social Scene, you’ll want this. If you enjoy a bit of world music that doesn’t sound too foreign, you’ll want this. If you just want something fun for the background, you’ll want this. And unless your only exposure to indie music is deleted Japanese Radiohead singles, you’ll want to pick up this one.

Bottom Line: Wonderfully textured and layered album from one of Broken Social Scene’s most exciting offshoots.
Notable Tracks: My Sword Hand’s Anger, Rafafa, Chances Are, Justine, Beckoning
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