Artist Appreciation: Broken Social Scene

Photo from Exclaim.ca
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Ah. Broken Social Scene. How I love you.
Canada exports a ridiculous number of amazing bands, but BSS pretty much tops the list. They are a band (more of a supergroup, really) that was founded in 1999 by Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. Their roster of musicians shuffles, and they currently have 19 members apparently. Feist, Emily Haines and Amy Millan are all one-time collaborators. So you know it's gotta be good!
BSS has a truly unique sound. The combination of instruments and vocals creates dense, atmospheric, beautiful music. I really can't say enough how much I love this band. Seeing them live was like a religious experience. When Kevin Drew sang Lover's Spit, I teared up. I admit it. I think Lover's Spit, 7/4 (Shoreline), Anthems for a 17 Year-Old Girl, and Backyards are some of the most beautiful, gorgeous, wonderful songs ever written. Seriously. Listen to them.
Here's a lovely instrumental track off their 2002 album You Forgot It In People:

Download: Broken Social Scene- Pitter Patter Goes My Heart
Broken Social Scene's Myspace
Buy their albums at Insound. You won't regret it.

Artist Appreciation: Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer

I've decided to start a new feature: Artist appreciation posts. Whenever I feel like it, I'll write about one of the artist I love. To "switch it up", I'm going to start at the bottom of the alphabet. So Zolof it is!

I was really into Zolof when I was in 11th grade. Anthony Green sang with them for a while. The funny thing is I never liked Circa Survive or Saosin really. But anyway. They are just... cute. Haha. I love when there are male and female vocals in a band, and their instrumentals are way catchy. My favorite song was always "Plays Pretty for Baby". I think it captures adolescence so perfectly. Especially the lyric:
"I feel your smooth skin slightly brush against the backside of my arm."
I think everyone can identify with that feeling of electricity between someone you're "crushing on". Even when they just barely touch you it's exciting.
The song is short and sweet, adorable, and has some feel-good "do-do-do's" in the chorus. What's not to love?
Download:

Plays Pretty For Baby