The New Pornographers – Challengers
A lot of the circumstances around this album are perhaps more interesting than the album itself. There’s been so much action from the individual Pornographers themselves since Twin Cinema that I find it quite difficult to think of them as the intact group I heard when I bought the previous record. I listen and keep hearing Dan Bejar here, Neko Case there and so on and it makes it an odd listen.
In terms of evolving as a group, it’s more interesting than Twin Cinema, in the sense that it encompasses a broader gamut of atmospheres, from the power pop we all know and love, to angrier songs, to sadder, slower stuff than we’re used to hearing. Actually, the more downbeat songs are the ones I like the best, with the more upbeat stuff sounding a little too familiar for my taste. Neko Case has possibly one of the greatest voices in music at the moment, and the ones where she gets to let loose a bit are the ones I prefer.
Stylistically, it’s a minor evolution really, but the hummability of the new songs perhaps doesn’t quite match Twin Cinema. It’s a harder, more *ahem* challenging record than its predecessor but may well turn out to be better after repeat listens. I’m still digging around in it myself and finding more to like each time I do.
New Pornographers – Challengers
New Pornographers – Adventures in Solitude
Nein! Verboten! Zer shall be no more musikenfun auf der internets. Der heiderblitzen websherrif has mein doggen gefucked und zer shall be kein tunesen mehr. Verstanden?
I’ve tried and I’ve tried, but with the exception of a few tracks from Mass Romatic I’ve just never been able to get excited about the NPs. And I don’t like Dan Behar’s solo stuff either, despite the fact that many many people whose musical tastes I respect think he’s the greatest thing since K-Y Jelly. I keep listening, waiting for that moment of epiphany when it all finally makes sense, but thus far I listen, and wait, in vain. That Neko Case is right purty, though, ain’t she?
Hey cool blog, I’m a frequent reader.
I’ve only just started getting into NP and the new album isn’t all that different to their other stuff but I see what you mean about repeat listens.
I still love “My Rights Vs Yours.”
Still, no song will match “Bleeding Heart Show” I reckon.
Well I’m just not a massive NP fan really, although they have done lots of stuff I like, rather than love. This album has more songs I love and more songs I don’t especially like than Twin Cinema, which makes it.. mmmm… better or worse? I can’t decide.
WEB SHERIFF
Protecting Your Rights
on the Internet
Tel 44-(0)208-323 8013
Fax 44-(0)208-323 8080
websheriff@websheriff.com
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Hi SbT,
On behalf of Matador Records and The New Pornographers, we would kindly ask you NOT to post newly released New Pornographers links on this site / thread.
We do appreciate that – of course – you are fans of / are promoting The New Pornographers but, by the same token, you must also appreciate that, by posting a pirate copy of the album or tracks from the album pre-release / upon release (or linking to pirate copies), you are potentially causing considerable inconvenience and we are sure that you would not want to be personally responsible (or liable) for all of the resulting damage and disruption.
Thank you for respecting the artist’s and label’s wishes and, if you want good quality, non-pirated preview tracks, “My Rights Versus Yours” and “Myriad Harbour” are being made freely available to fans off the label’s and artist’s official web-sites, (check-out http://www.matadorrecords.com and http://www.thenewpornographers.com for full details), which you are most welcome to host / post etc. Unfortunately, the tracks that you’ve selected are not designated, preview tracks and, as such, it would be greatly appreciated if you could remove them asap / substitute them with either or both of the above tracks.
Whilst writing, we’d add that The New Pornographers and Matador Records are not at all against free music BUT, at the end of the day, it should be (and is) the artist’s decision as to whether or not they effectively allow the unauthorized distribution of their album on-line before / upon its release – as it’s THEIR MUSIC !! Thank you, again, for respecting their wishes.
As you will appreciate, this e-mail – containing, as it does, a position that is potentially prejudicial to our clients’ open / formal position – is written on a without prejudice basis and, as such, all of our clients’ accumulated, worldwide rights remain strictly reserved : please excuse this required formality.
With Thanks & Regards,
WEB SHERIFF
THEIR MUSIC !!, eh? Great. Then I hope they’ll enjoy playing all these songs around the dinner table next Christmas with THEIR FRIENDS!! and THEIR FAMILIES!! because I’ll be fucked if I buy a copy. They’re all for free music, so long as it’s not theirs! Well thanks sooooo much for that principled stand. I know they need to make a living and all that, but …
Out-ranted on my own blog. Splendid effort C&B!
Actually, looking at their commment they have made two tracks available as preview songs, so they can’t play much fairer than that.
But, equally, I have had this album for weeks and I have sat on it until release date for just this reason. Now it’s been released and we still can’t post, it’s just all a bit depressing.
I do love the ‘THEIR MUSIC’ remark. Excellent point C&B, very well made.