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Lost At Sea

This is one for the ages, an album that you will covet, listen to, and live by.

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Stylus Magazine

Spirit If... may be the second-best record any of those associated with Broken Social Scene have issued--whether together, apart, or kind of both.

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Drowned In Sound

Not since Mansun's "Six" have I heard an album twist its songs into a musical Lombard Street--and I can already picture the audience screaming its approval in the break--before a wall of static and synthesizers takes us home. And home is a little nicer place to be after taking a ride on Spirit If...

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

Drew makes the most of his solo-album freedom on 'Lucky Ones,' doubling piano and guitar into a hook that, in just a few notes, matches the wonder of any number of BSS songs.

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Pitchfork

Spirit If… offers jams that don't really jam, acoustic ballads about fights and lies, and lushly orchestrated songs that come together effortlessly while cracking up hopelessly.

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Rolling Stone

The pulse of the quieter cuts draws you into dreamy little songs that play out like strolls through an art gallery. Beautiful, if not always transfixing.

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Under The Radar

Drew's supple but fragile voice--there's eloquence in his mumblings--guitars providing spots of light and color, and enough layered sounds to keep lively what could otherwise become repetitive. [Summer 2007, p.72]

The Phoenix

Spirit If . . . takes plenty of time to revel in the beauty of its surfaces.

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Uncut

With Drew at the helm, however, it becomes a messier, less wholesome affair, seductively so on 'Lucky Ones' and 'Frightening Lives,' which scamper toward some grubby euphoria like a hal-cut Arcade Fire. [Oct 2007, p.87]

cokemachineglow

The album's best moments are when Drew's fundamental pop becomes unhinged and thrashes passionately about its aesthetic playground, planetoids seeming at odds in their mad swing through space but connected by some invisible force.

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New Musical Express

In the same spirit as Broken Social Scene's baroque pop, his first album stitches together the psychedelic, lo-fi montages and creates something unworldly and unique.

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All Music Guide

Tthe record is focused more on the future, on creating an impression, than on immediate satisfaction, giving it an appeal that only strengthens as time goes on, and making Spirit If... another impressive, affective release in the ever-growing Broken Social Scene catalog.

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PopMatters

If you’re at all familiar with the previous work of Broken Social Scene, then nothing on this album will sound new or particularly fresh.

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Filter

So while Drew’s songwriting roots remain strong, he and the BSS family tree need to watch their creative waistlines, lest the spirited Canadian musical movement they’re responsible for should hit its saturation point too soon.

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NOW Magazine

It sounds very much like the disjointed collection of rickety epics about fucking and frustration you'd expect from a BSS disc.

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Mojo

The best of these songs are easily a match for Broken Social Scene. [Nov 2007, p.106]

Q Magazine

Drew's little-boy-lost whine on the likes of 'Gangbang Suicide' occasionally grates, but the supreme soft-rock anthemics on 'Lucky Ones' more than compensates. [Oct 2007, p.94]

Austin Chronicle

There are cool reminisces (opener 'Farewell to the Pressure Kids,' 'Safety Bricks'), but the bulk is derivative.

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Slant Magazine

When Drew tones down his approach on tracks like 'Safety Bricks' and 'Gang Bang Suicide,' the result is underwhelming and seems to want for additional input.

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Spin

Despite numerous cameos from his mates, Drew still sounds orphaned and adrift. [Oct 2007, p.96]

Urb

It sounds like Drew would still benefit from having his Canadian ragtag team behind him though, because his solo effort just isn't very strong.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 34 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Ben M. gave it a9:
Great album - I always forget how many great songs are on the album until I'm actually listening. I went back through some older BSS this weekend, and I still love it all.

Nick R. gave it a10:
This album gets better with every listen. Picks up right where he left off with It's All Gonna Break. Always been a huge BSS fan. Hope they can all get back together for another album...... Really would love to see the whole group together live again, but that probably won't happen. Glad I got to while I had the chance. Just amazing.

Cables gave it an8:
This is an excellent album that would have made for a better follow up to "you forgot..". I don't quite understand the negative reviews. It sounds like a bss record. Some reviews are claiming that he sounds "adrift" and "off on his own". Anyone who has heard this and has some sort of bss listening experience will be more than pleased.

Brian gave it a10:
Best album I've heard this year. Kevin drew, and broken social scene, continue to put out the best music on the market!

Rob B gave it a9:
It was even better live!! The album doesn't end all that well, but overall it was a great collection.

Bradley M. gave it a9:
Amazing album, just shy of perfection

Matt gave it a10:
Definitely a grower. More rewarding on every listen. Check out - "Farewell to the Pressure Kids", "Gang Bang Suicide", "Boddhi Sappy Weekend".

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