Features Disc of the day
The New Pornographers
Twin Cinema
(Matador, 2005)
Vancouver collective say goodbye to restraint. World says hello to a power pop gem.
You’re familiar with the term “melody”, I’m sure. Well, having gotten acquainted with that concept, prepare for the Ultra-Melody™, as typified by Vancouver indie collective The New Pornographers. In the world of the Ultra-Melody™, it is unacceptable for guitars simply to soar. They must launch into the stratosphere. And why settle for a lone voice when the entire band can bellow the words to the rafters in perfect harmony? For that matter, why limit yourself to a simple four-piece when you can invite all your pals to join in? Songwriter and head honcho A.C. Newman (formerly of influential Sub Poppers Zumpano) always took inspiration from such melody masters as Bacharach, Wilson and the Zombies, and with Twin Cinema, he put all the lessons he learned into practice.
The result is an album that bristles with anthemic abandon and nod-along immediacy. Impeccably arranged pop mixes perfectly with the childlike grace of Newman’s lyrics. From the frenetic rhythm of Use It to the irresistible cruisin’ chorus of Sing Me Spanish Techno, this is a bag of gems that requires no polishing. Crucially, though, with off-key ballads Bones Of An Idol and These Are The Fables (both with lead vocals by alt.country queen Neko Case), Newman shows he has the songwriting chops to take his foot off the gas and give listeners pause for thought. And allow them to catch their breath.
Chris Lo
Posted by Danny_Eccleston at 6:00 AM GMT 28/05/2008
Further Listening
Swan Lake – Beast Moans (Jagjaguwar)
Zumpano – Look What The Rookie Did (Sub Pop)
The Zombies – Odessey And Oracle (CBS)
SUGGEST YOUR OWN DISC OF THE DAY ON OUR MESSAGE BOARD HERE, OR, MORE PRIVATELY, HERE!
Previous Disc of the day
-
Tom Waits - Mule Variations
The gruff one emerges from the shouty art ditch with a varied, heartfelt album that’s among his best
6:00 AM GMT 25/07/2008
-
Julian Cope - Fried
Naked under a giant turtle shell, Cope gets to grips with psychedelic roots of oak.
6:00 AM GMT 24/07/2008
-
Various - Heartworn Highways
2006 reissue of songs from Jim Szalapski’s now-legendary document of ’70s ‘progressive country’.
6:00 AM GMT 23/07/2008
-
Jackie Lomax - Is This What You Want?
The forgotten soul of the Beatles vanity label.
6:00 AM GMT 22/07/2008
-
Jody Wildgoose - Afterlife
Super-charming cottage-psych from Sheffield. Tells Eminem “it’s OK to be gay”
6:00 AM GMT 21/07/2008
-
Various - So Young But So Cold – Underground French Music 1977-1983
Like a French Futurama festival. On CD.
6:00 AM GMT 20/07/2008
Merchandise
end of body content back to top
Footer
© Copyright Bauer - all rights reserved. Reproduction of this website, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Bauer is prohibited.
All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
|
|
Comments
Comment on this post
Comment on this post