New Pornographers?

[smashbar]

Does anyone know anything about these guys? Their new album has been getting some excellent reviews and its peaked my interest...

Hmmmmm.....

 

[corianderstem]

I have both of their previous albums, which I bought on the strength of one or two songs I'd heard, and great critical acclaim.

They have some really good, catchy songs, but there's something about them as a whole that makes me not like them as much as I normally would. I don't know if it's their sound, their production, or what, but it's ... I don't know ... noisy or something. Like all their levels are turned way up, and it's just grating.

And it kills me, because I still want to get their new album, based on the critical raves alone. I'm goofy that way, I guess.

Neko Case, one of the female singers, is amazing. I want her voice. Her solo record "Blacklisted" is really great.

 

[lmjhitman]

i liked 'mass romantic', but still have to listen to 'twin cinema'.

jack in the box likes it though, and she's got great taste in music, so it must be good.

 

[smashbar]

Who's this 'Jack' fellow, of which you speak?

 

[lmjhitman]

'jack' is not a fellow, but a female. she's a member of this forum with awesome taste in music (there are quite a few here).

she's been talking about how much she likes 'twin cinema' lately. so, as soon as i'm done with my broken social scene obsession, i'll be taking her advice and listening to it.

 

[LarryMullen's POPAngel]

I got their new album on iTunes after listening to samples of each of the songs.

 

[Jack In The Box]

Twin Cinema is their best work so far, I love it... I have their two previous albums, both are good too

my current favorite song it's "The Bleeding Heart Show"

thanks lmj you need listen to this album... now! NOW!

 

[boosterjuice]

I'm listening to the album "Twin Cinema" now.

It's not bad at all. There are some sweet guitar riffs that remind a lot of the Edge. As far as the music goes, it is very "structureless" in the sense that doesn't seem to be obvious verses or chorus'. This is a good thing because it works for them.


I'm liking all the vocal harmony. But, at times, the vocals seem a little childish (like Mr. Dressup sounding).

As is the case with many albums, most of their better songs are found in the first half. I didn't find too many good songs in the latter half.

HEre are the songs I'm liking so far:

Twin Cinema
The Bones of an Idol - listen the guitar work in this song. Very edgy.
USe It
Jackie Dressed in Cobras- Weird song but i like it.


Anyone know what their band name means?

 

[typhoon]

The New Pornographers are grade A pop, so I suppose everyone here is obliged to hate it.

Anyone know what their band name means?

Andy Warhol or some other artsy guy said that music was the new pornography.

 

[yertle-the-turtle]

Wonderful band.

I have heard nothing but good things about 'Twin Cinema' so I'll have to acquire it one way or another soon.

 

[boosterjuice]

Okay, just a heads up:

I've been listening to this album more and more. It's really growing on me big-time! The songs stay stuck in your head.

Twin Cinema is a HUGE recommendation!

 

[If you shout...]

It's a nearly perfect record which corrects the glaring sound issues which hampered each of the band's previous releases. They've always written great tunes ("Letter From An Occupant" and "To Wild Homes" just might be the best one-two punch of this century), but now then sound as spectacular as they've always wanted to.

Listen to "The Bleeding Heart Show" as Ms. In-the-Box suggested and see for yourself. I can hear the drums. Which kick motherfucking ass, by the way. It's a great album. Unless I'm forgetting something (which I may well be doing), it's the best I've heard all year.

Well....this or Sleater-Kinney. Buy 'em both. You'll never forgive yourself if you do anything else.

 

[smashbar]

Sounds very tantalizing. Thanks for all the feedback, people! I'll try to pick up a copy this weekend.

 

[IWasBored]

yes, definetly get it good stuff.

 

[lmjhitman]

ok, i finally listened to it. and it's really, really great.

i love 'sing me spanish techno', 'these are the fables', and 'the bleeding heart show'.

these canadian collectives are kicking ass all over the place.

 

[Jack In The Box]

I love "Sing Me Spanish Techno" (but "The Bleeding Heart Show is still my fav)

glad you like it lmj

 

[agentorange]

I love "Sing Me Spanish Techno" (but "The Bleeding Heart Show is still my fav)

Spanish Techno is a great pop song coming out of the same sound as the first two albums, which are genius. I appreciate some sugar pop as much as anyone. But in spite of that, it took me a few weeks each of listening to those two albums before I starting loving them. And it takes more listens to truly begin to appreciate the musical complexity of them. It's kind of like wedding cake, where you can only handle so much before it makes you sick. Mass Romantic and Electric Version's tracks are like back to back to back three-foot plastic Pixie Sticks. And they are overwhelming until you build up the pop tolerance.

But Twin Cinema has some variety that those two did not have. There are some more reserved, and I guess moodier songs on it, instead of the nonstop Romper Room punk. Songs like These are the Fables, and Bones of an Idol are uncharted waters for the NP's. And like the first two albums, my first reaction to the album was, this is overrated. But it is growing on me far faster than the first two albums did. I just don't know if it will have the staying power that they have had with me.

By the way, I highly recommend finding a torrent of a NP's show - they are outstanding live as well, and Carl Newman's stage banter makes it worthwhile alone. He's a funny, quirky, and intelligent guy. I really hope these guys do some extensive touring for this album.

 

[lmjhitman]

they're on conan o'brien tonight.

 

[boosterjuice]

they're on conan o'brien tonight.

I'm setting my recorder!

 

[yertle-the-turtle]

'The Bleeding Heart Show' is I think the best song I've heard this year.

It's like, epic.

 

[boosterjuice]

I saw these guys on Conan and they were fairly bad live.

 

[Mr. MIKEphisto]

Twin Cinema is amazing.

I wasn't expecting anything going in.. and now the CD is on my regular rotation. I'm loving most of the tunes.. but I gotta say Spanish Techno is my favorite.. hm.. well.. maybe not. It's hard to say!

I would recommend (at least) this album to anyone.

 

[boosterjuice]

Twin Cinema : BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR!!!!

"STacked Crooked" is my new fav song from the album.

 

[barlowdog]

Twin Cinema is definitely in my top five for the year right now probably coming in just behind Bloc Party and Death Cab.