 Kevin Drew Spirit If... is the first of a series of solo albums being produced by Broken Social Scene. The band members first met in Toronto and have been playing together since 1999. Kevin Drew, their lead singer, has created something fantastic in this new record. Billed as a solo project, it still includes many of his BSS band mates and friends. This circumstance brings out the familiar sad, rough, and inspiring sounds that are associated with previous Broken Social Scene albums. Before you even have a chance to listen to Spirit If... you instantly see the cover’s bright yellow background and two unicorn figurines giving very endearing looks to one another. As the case unfolds like a present, it's clear that something special lies in your hands. At first listen, I was skeptical of whether or not this album would be able to surpass the expectations set by preceding Broken Social Scene records. After listening to it more than once it is clear that Spirit If... surpasses any former doubts. This album has the ability to stand on its own, and I have the feeling that even if it wasn't presented by Broken Social Scene, it would still fly off the shelves. Drew is accompanied by Justin Peroff's crisp drum sound, flute interludes by Ohad Benchetrit, and the lovely backup vocals of Amy Millian, Feist, and Emily Haines. Drew himself sings with a strange intensity that comes naturally as he sings into the mic. Drew's almost inaudible lyrics in “Farewell to the Pressure Kids” set the scene for the coming songs; it's a mess of instruments and voices that can only fit with Drew's style of music. Fingers tap as the drums start up in the second half of the track and the words, “Well the pressure kids... they like to escalate, believe the measurers will form an alarm with the silence that speaks to the ridlin mouths and tongues of hate” slide from Drew's mouth. This is just the first song, and excitement builds as the second song starts to play. Whether you are a long time fan of Kevin Drew and Broken Social Scene, or just happen to have picked up the album at random, there is little chance of disappointment. This album is something fresh, new, and can be listened to again and again.
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