Though we got this record like a month ago, it took a while to really sink in. So here it goes- a review (or quick overview) of the New Pornographers' record entitled, "Challengers".
....and (LISTEN TO IT HERE) There are also videos below.
First of all, I have to explain that the name comes from a Jimmy Swaggart quote in which he proclaimed that Rock n Roll was the "new pornography". So the band's name is clever and harmless, so cool your jets.
Besides that, they are a Canadian supergroup that contains 4 different vocalists (2 males, 2 females) who trade of on each song or sometimes trade off during songs. Dan Behar from Destroyer, Carl Newman from Zumpano, and Neko Case- a solo country chanteuse. Plus a swarm of instrumentalists. They play a super energetic brand of thick, fun powerpop.
On this record, they've definately reached a more mature plateau. At first, I missinterpretted the plateau as a rut, but then realized that they've intentionally pulled back some of the over-the-top high-energy stuff to let real songwriting come out. This especially happens in the girls' power ballad-esque tracks, which are beautiful and well-crafted. (See the bottom video for what I mean)
Great album.
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