The Daily Growl

“You didn’t tell me we were going to see The Arcade Fire” said my friend when he came back from the bar at the Barfly on Friday night. Now I know that Broken Records aren’t too keen on the comparisons with Win Butler and co. but I’m afraid they’re going to get a whole lot more of them as their profile rises, which no doubt it will, over the next few months. You may argue that just because they use violins, mandolins and accordions, they’re not necessarily comparable to their more famous Montreal peers, but these elements are there, there is a little similarity to the sound and well… you know…

But back to the show. This was my first real opportunity to see Broken Records and my anticipation was high enough to be mightily annoyed by missing the start of their set due to one of these inexplicable queues outside the venue. Inside and upstairs Broken Records were making a lovely noise. The Barfly has an excellent sound system which often seems just a wee bit too powerful for the size of the space, and I’m pleased to say that it was used to the maximum. All the elements were right as the seven guys on stage made their way through their short but memorable set. What they lacked in stage presence they made up for with extraordinary proficiency – Matthew Song, By Toad has already talked about how fully-formed Broken Records appeared to be when they first appeared playing in Edinburgh earlier last year. Although it’s been a good few months since then, the same is true now, just more so. They play like they really mean it and make an amazing sound. As expected, One Good Reason was a particular highlight.

Given that they were ostensibly the second support band at this gig, I don’t think I’ve seen a venue quite so full for the first band on before. There were certainly a lot more bodies in the room than for the next lot for sure. And by all accounts the Drowned in Sound gig the next day was a bit of a storm as well. Chequebooks are no doubt being readied as I write this and we’re going to be hearing a lot more from Jamie and the boys soon.

Download: Broken Records – Lies
Download: Broken Records – If Eliot Lovborg Wrote a Song, It Would Sound Like This

Pre-order the debut 7 inch from Rough Trade. Buy the band’s EP from their myspace or download from 7Digital Indiestore. And if it’s free songs you want, go to Song, By Toad for an excellent acoustic session.