Nothing New for the Pornographers

New Pornographers continue to prove why they are among the indie rock elite

The New Pornographers

Challengers

Released on Nov 30, -0001

5

The end of summer is upon us. Flash flooding, funnel clouds, and a hord of locusts is no doubt on the horizon. What to do? Luckily our friends from the North, The New Pornographers, have concocted the perfect remedy. "Challengers" is the end of Summer hangover record we've all been waiting for.

The New Pornographers are known for writing some of the catchiest poptastic rock music in the last ten years. A collective of Canadian friends initially set out for a one-off record with "Mass Romantic," have now realized their full and warmest potential with this latest on Matador Records. A.C., Neko, Danny, and the gang have injected a sense of calm and beauty never shown before. "Challengers" is their most thoughtful album yet, with songs lIke "Myriad Harbour," a sugary and almost Mekon like ode to the all the pretty girls of the city. "Go Places," sung by Neko Case, waltzes it's way into your heart and out explodes a rainbow of drunken late night Carol King proportions. "Unguided," in all of its lilted beauty really sinks in and says, "yes, there is hope still."

The best thing about the New Pornographers is that they are so familiar, yet all so new at the same time. Other worldy harmonies singing lyrics David Milch would be proud of. Cryptic, but the listener still gets the joke and story of it.

High Point

Low Point

Posted by Joe Roth on Aug 24, 2007 @ 12:00 am