|
|
|
The Canadian super-group The New Pornographers are back with yet another amazing album of hook-laden pop songs with weird-ass titles ("Jackie, Dressed in Cobras"?) and lyrics ("Two sips from the cup of human kindness/ And I'm sh*tfaced").
The first time I listened to this CD, the first thing I noticed was that it seemed a bit more downbeat compared to their first two CDs, especially 2003's Electric Version. "Bones of an Idol" caught my ear with its slow tempo, and even "The Bleeding Heart Show" starts out all slow until they get to the end with their rousing "Hey La" chorus. (I should note that even "Bones..." steps it up eventually with an unexpected shoegazer-esque guitar turn in the middle, providing a bizarre counterpoint to the slide-guitar and old-timey-style piano in the background.)
But, oh hells yeah, there is the expected infectious New Pornographer rockin', like the title track "Twin Cinema" and "Star Bodies". The aforementioned oddly-titled "Jackie, Dressed in Cobras" (as I mention in an early concert review) has a keyboard riff that just kills me everytime I hear it, it's so good! "The Jessica Numbers" rocks out completely mid-90's style, reminding me of something like Catherine Wheel, just less ethereal and with three-part harmonies.
stuff that might grow on me:
They haven't changed their sound too much (hey, why mess with perfection, right?). Even with Neko's lovely voice at the forefront, the ballad "These Are the Fables" reminds me of AC Newman's "Come Crash" from his solo album last year (they even have a lyric about "come crash on my doorstep", just hightening the similarity!). Of course, "Come Crash" doesn't close out with the groovy 60's breezy piano bit that "These Are..." does!
But all in all, it's really super-great (as is to be expected from the Pornographers). This CD will definitely be getting repeated listens in the copacetic household! ;) (janice.08.05)
rating
related links