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Forgiveness Rock Record Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 54 Ratings

  • Summary: With John McEntire as producer, Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning, Charles Spearin, Andrew Whiteman, Sam Goldberg, and Justin Peroff worked together to write the group's fourth studio album (outside of the two Broken Social Scene Presents...albums). Other BSS members do appear as guests on thisWith John McEntire as producer, Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning, Charles Spearin, Andrew Whiteman, Sam Goldberg, and Justin Peroff worked together to write the group's fourth studio album (outside of the two Broken Social Scene Presents...albums). Other BSS members do appear as guests on this release, including Leslie Feist, Amy Millan and Evan Cranley of Stars, Emily Haines and Jimmy Shaw of Metric, Jason Collett, and Ohad Benchetrit of Do Make Say Think and Years. Expand

Top Track

All to All
ALL TO ALL Call of forgiveness I'm like the beat of the hurt I'm not the only one You tried to save when you fell out Call of forgiveness I'm like... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 31
  2. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Forgiveness Rock Record is not the sound of Broken Social Scene dumbing themselves down; it's the band taking their sound to its logical conclusion. Few people would've guessed that in doing so, they've stumbled upon their second straight-up masterpiece.
  2. Though they've trimmed their lineup to seven members, the band's repertoire of art-rock anthems and hazy folk jams has survived intact.
  3. Essentially, Forgiveness Rock Record finds Broken Social Scene trading "big and loud" for "wide and warm" and as a result sounding like they've really just settled further into their identity as a band.
  4. Forgiveness Rock Record might lack the romance of Funeral but it's far more alive than Neon Bible, with an urgency and energy that invigorates rather than drains.
  5. The new BSS album may already have a lock on most dynamic record of the year.
  6. They may have traded in a certain sort of urgency and sprawl, but there's a certitude to the whole affair that makes the album go down easy.
  7. Uncut
    40
    The album is reliant on the Scene's female associates--like Lisa Lobsinger on the lovely Moroderish cosmic disco of "All To All"--to bring character to whtat remain some pretty hazy jams. [Jun 2010, p.83]

See all 31 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. Dec 4, 2010
    10
    Album of the year. Hands down. Forgiveness Rock Record is one of those album that you appreciate more and more with repeated listens. So ifAlbum of the year. Hands down. Forgiveness Rock Record is one of those album that you appreciate more and more with repeated listens. So if you haven't listened a thousands times, get on it. It isn't quite YFIIP. But it's close. And that's saying something. YFFIP is maybe the album of the decade. I love this band. I hope we don't have to wait another five years for more music. Expand
  2. JeffL
    May 4, 2010
    10
    Its good to have so much new music from BSS. It is less produced, more rockish, and sounds more like a group of folks who just like to play Its good to have so much new music from BSS. It is less produced, more rockish, and sounds more like a group of folks who just like to play good music together. Its refreshing all the way through. Expand
  3. TimS
    May 5, 2010
    10
    It's fantastic. Bottom line. It's not nearly as spectacular as "You Forgot It In People," but BSS have overcome a series of It's fantastic. Bottom line. It's not nearly as spectacular as "You Forgot It In People," but BSS have overcome a series of middling solo projects to produce another stellar effort. Expand
  4. MikeW
    May 4, 2010
    9
    A really fantastic album. Better than the self-titled one from '05 Lots of very melodic, catchy solid songs on this. The band has A really fantastic album. Better than the self-titled one from '05 Lots of very melodic, catchy solid songs on this. The band has matured and it shows, production is top notch and working with John from Tortoise really seems like a smart decision. Lisa Lobsinger has a wonderful voice, I just wish there was one more tune on here with feist/millan/haines because Sentimental X's is definitely one of the best tracks. Expand
  5. t$M.
    May 5, 2010
    9
    The best BSS album since You Forget it in People. You can't expect a better album than that, so it was worth the wait.
  6. AdrianK
    May 20, 2010
    8
    Despite of the last track a very good and enjoyable album.
  7. Oct 27, 2010
    3
    Maybe I dont like this kind of music, but this is so inexpressive for me. This album hasnt think. External melodies pronouncedly spoil it. IMaybe I dont like this kind of music, but this is so inexpressive for me. This album hasnt think. External melodies pronouncedly spoil it. I am really disappointed of it. 3 Expand

See all 13 User Reviews