but better than the title track from twin cinema, actually.
no way!!
― call all destroyer, Monday, 22 February 2010 17:26 (fourteen years ago) link
Yeah, what the hell is this?
― ksh, Monday, 22 February 2010 17:27 (fourteen years ago) link
otm
― Zeno, Monday, 22 February 2010 17:31 (fourteen years ago) link
one of those 'oh, they're still going' bands
― thomp, Monday, 22 February 2010 17:32 (fourteen years ago) link
i hope i'll be proved wrong, but the AC Newman songwriting formula now looks overused/out-of-date-so-00's now..
― Zeno, Monday, 22 February 2010 17:34 (fourteen years ago) link
It's alright, we still have Twin Cinema--the only NP record I've heard in full, and the only record of theirs I'll probably ever need.
― ksh, Monday, 22 February 2010 17:35 (fourteen years ago) link
so 00s hahaha
but seriously I kinda had the same reaction, too.
xpost
― Cunga, Monday, 22 February 2010 17:37 (fourteen years ago) link
"out-of-date" Newman-style powerpop >>>> 90% of new indie-fux0r shit
― Simon H., Monday, 22 February 2010 17:42 (fourteen years ago) link
uh yeah, no kidding
― tylerw, Monday, 22 February 2010 17:43 (fourteen years ago) link
sorry. finding a bigger fan than me of twin cinema, the album, would be hard. but the title song wasn't among my favorites, and i know it was one of the big ac newman "rock" songs on the disc, which is why hearing the new one brought the comparison to mind.
― Daniel, Esq., Monday, 22 February 2010 17:48 (fourteen years ago) link
Twin Cinema (the album) for me was the apex of The New Pornographers as an idea. Supergroups, indie or otherwise, rarely live up to expectations. TNP's had done it on several songs before that, but the Twin Cinema album was absolutely phenomenal (even Carl's title track). Such a thing will probably never happen again, but it took me over a year to really appreciate Challengers... so what do I know.
― Johnny Fever, Monday, 22 February 2010 17:51 (fourteen years ago) link
challengers is better than it was given credit for. they didn't let the songs soar (i.e., they tried too hard to make a "mature album," but the songs themselves had lots of potential). i don't see why they couldn't equal or top twin cinema.
― Daniel, Esq., Monday, 22 February 2010 17:54 (fourteen years ago) link
I really like Challengers, it's got some of their best tunes on it. I'd say each record has at least six stone-cold awesome tracks, so if they can keep the quality level up I'll be satisfied.
― Simon H., Monday, 22 February 2010 17:56 (fourteen years ago) link
Correct. I rate Electric Version slightly over Twin Cinema for sheer tunedom, though they're both crammed with splendidness. Challengers was not as consistently compelling, but has some really excellent songs, and IMHO "Adventures In Solitude" is probably the best song Newman has ever written.
― Freedom, Monday, 22 February 2010 18:25 (fourteen years ago) link
I can't snark on a band that is responsible for the existence of "The Bleeding Heart Show."
― ksh, Monday, 22 February 2010 18:36 (fourteen years ago) link
yes. bleeding heart show and sing me spanish techo stand at the top of an album of amazing high-points.
― Daniel, Esq., Monday, 22 February 2010 18:37 (fourteen years ago) link
Besides being strong from beginning to end, Twin Cinema was also paced really, really well. Opening with "Twin Cinema," closing with "Stacked Crooked"? Excellent.
― ksh, Monday, 22 February 2010 18:46 (fourteen years ago) link
Would have been a perfect record had they lopped off "Broken Beads" and "Three or Four," mind.
Also, I haven't seen this mentioned elsewhere, but Challengers had some great outtakes - esp. "The Speed of Luxury" and "Fortune."
― Simon H., Monday, 22 February 2010 18:48 (fourteen years ago) link
so true. there's a stretch of semi-mediocre songs that do drag the album down a bit, but that's quibbling, given all the high-points -- twin cinema was my favorite album of the decade for a long time.
― Daniel, Esq., Monday, 22 February 2010 18:50 (fourteen years ago) link
I like Three or Four a lot, you guys!
― Johnny Fever, Monday, 22 February 2010 19:16 (fourteen years ago) link
both those songs are awesome
― call all destroyer, Monday, 22 February 2010 19:22 (fourteen years ago) link
meh.
― Daniel, Esq., Monday, 22 February 2010 19:23 (fourteen years ago) link
At least Challengers was better than the last A.C. Newman album Get Guilty. That one never sunk in.
Heresy: All New Pornographers albums would be improved by the removal of Dan Bejar songs except "Jackie Dressed in Cobras" which is awesome.
― Hideous Lump, Tuesday, 23 February 2010 03:11 (fourteen years ago) link
All New Pornographers albums would be improved by the removal of Dan Bejar songs except "Jackie Dressed in Cobras" which is awesome.
^ this!
― Johnny Fever, Tuesday, 23 February 2010 03:12 (fourteen years ago) link
I really loved A.C. Newman's first solo album, I think that was released in '04
― subversive time travel (FACK), Tuesday, 23 February 2010 03:14 (fourteen years ago) link
Never got Dan Bejar, honestly except for "To Wild Homes."
― Inculcate a spirit of serfdom in children (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 23 February 2010 03:19 (fourteen years ago) link
i hate destroyer but he's contributed 1-2 good songs to all the new pornos albums
― call all destroyer, Tuesday, 23 February 2010 03:30 (fourteen years ago) link
!
― ksh, Tuesday, 23 February 2010 03:31 (fourteen years ago) link
Destroyer's Rubies is an excellent record, and 75% of Trouble in Dreams is also solid. "Libby's First Sunrise," the final track off the latter record, is probably one of my favorite songs of his.
― ksh, Tuesday, 23 February 2010 03:32 (fourteen years ago) link
this thread would have been perfect for you, kshDestroye's Rubies
― i know who the sockpuppet master of ilx is (velko), Tuesday, 23 February 2010 03:33 (fourteen years ago) link
didnt that get a 10 on pitchfork?
― call all destroyer, Tuesday, 23 February 2010 03:35 (fourteen years ago) link
Apparently you thought the thread was "lol."
― ksh, Tuesday, 23 February 2010 03:36 (fourteen years ago) link
you supply the night, baby, i'll supply the lol
― i know who the sockpuppet master of ilx is (velko), Tuesday, 23 February 2010 03:38 (fourteen years ago) link
Let's make lots of money.
― Inculcate a spirit of serfdom in children (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 23 February 2010 03:39 (fourteen years ago) link
cad: 8.5
― ksh, Tuesday, 23 February 2010 03:40 (fourteen years ago) link
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/8970-destroyers-rubies/
it would have, too, if you people hadn't ruined things with all your "thread comments."
― Daniel, Esq., Tuesday, 23 February 2010 03:41 (fourteen years ago) link
Good record imo, but it's no Have One on Me, my record of the year, which I still haven't heard.
― ksh, Tuesday, 23 February 2010 03:41 (fourteen years ago) link
lol
― call all destroyer, Tuesday, 23 February 2010 03:42 (fourteen years ago) link
;-)
― ksh, Tuesday, 23 February 2010 03:42 (fourteen years ago) link
OTM.
The Slow Wonder would be just behind EV as my fave NP or NP-related album. Get Guilty was below-par though, with some exceptions.
― Freedom, Tuesday, 23 February 2010 03:55 (fourteen years ago) link
^ Get Guilty just doesn't have the sort of variety in the arrangements that you expect from a Newman project.
Nice to see I'm not the only one who doesn't like Bejar.
― Hideous Lump, Tuesday, 23 February 2010 04:14 (fourteen years ago) link
get guilty is awesome you are all crazy
― call all destroyer, Tuesday, 23 February 2010 04:25 (fourteen years ago) link
i'm a guy who really likes twin cinema and electric version but i gotta say it's still all downhill from "my slow descent into alcoholism."
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Tuesday, 23 February 2010 05:26 (fourteen years ago) link
yeah I'm pretty happy with Get Guilty you wackjobs
whereas Challengers never really grabbed me aside from the title track which is impossibly good
― all yoga attacks are fire based (rogermexico.), Tuesday, 23 February 2010 05:55 (fourteen years ago) link
Get Guilty is half great, has a few of his best tunes but quite a few that never grabbed me.
― Simon H., Tuesday, 23 February 2010 06:28 (fourteen years ago) link
Get Guilty is all mediocre, to me. What song(s) on there are noteworthy?
Also, love Dan. The anti-Bejar sentiment in here is all out of wack.
― Jouster, Tuesday, 23 February 2010 06:37 (fourteen years ago) link
Nothing--and I mean NOTHING--about "The Heartbreak Rides" is mediocre.
― winnebago taco, Tuesday, 23 February 2010 06:38 (fourteen years ago) link
get guilty is a snooze imo
do all the bejar-in-new pornos haters like destroyer solo? i think i'm kind of weird in that i can't bring myself to give a shit about the new pornographers as a group, but really love their solo acts, destroyer being my favorite. j0rdan s is like this too iirc
― idgi, mon (k3vin k.), Tuesday, 23 February 2010 06:41 (fourteen years ago) link
Destroyer is ear poison to me.
― Johnny Fever, Tuesday, 23 February 2010 06:42 (fourteen years ago) link
I didn't have any objections to Whiteout Conditions other than my boredom with power pop.
― the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 30 August 2017 21:38 (six years ago) link
I never experienced Twin Cinema as the consensus pick, but then that's only in relation to my 'bubble'. Always thought the quintessential NP album was, still, Mass Romantic tbh.
But you are so right: it doesn't really matter when your discography is this consistently great.
― Le Bateau Ivre, Wednesday, 30 August 2017 21:42 (six years ago) link
Electric Version was my first NP album and it will always be the consensus #1 in my eyes
― Mordy, Wednesday, 30 August 2017 21:43 (six years ago) link
I think I probably burned out on them pretty early on, because power-pop, but that's my problem, not theirs.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 30 August 2017 22:27 (six years ago) link
challengers is their best album imo but yeah the distinction is meaningless
― ToddBonzalez (BradNelson), Wednesday, 30 August 2017 22:30 (six years ago) link
I read the Stereogum article and ended up spending some time with the catalogue as well. I'd always had TC #1, but the production is kind of lacking there.New #1-Electric Version. (I think they could have recorded Twin Cinema the song on a boombox and it would still be great though).
― campreverb, Thursday, 31 August 2017 05:40 (six years ago) link
Speaking of Newman's solo albums - how does everyone rate them? I had the first one and liked it fine, though it kinda felt like diet cola compared to NP material. Never followed up with his subsequent solo stuff but have been meaning to.
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Thursday, 31 August 2017 16:07 (six years ago) link
i like all of them but new pornographers lite is a good description
― Mordy, Thursday, 31 August 2017 16:15 (six years ago) link
get guilty is maybe my fave
― Mordy, Thursday, 31 August 2017 16:28 (six years ago) link
yeah same, i think the best of get guilty hangs with peak nps but wouldn't say that about the other two
― call all destroyer, Thursday, 31 August 2017 16:30 (six years ago) link
I've never warmed to Destroyer the way I have his NP tracks.
― campreverb, Thursday, 31 August 2017 16:38 (six years ago) link
love The Slow Wonder, never got into the rest
― niels, Friday, 1 September 2017 08:02 (six years ago) link
True story. I was listening to the new OMD (which is good). Next up in the queue was (I learned retroactively) "Brill Bruisers," which I'd literally never heard. The OMD album is playing when my wife pops in, but she doesn't say anything. Then seconds later I notice the music has changed.
"What is this?" she suddenly asks. "It sounds familiar."
"Well, it had been OMD, so it should be familiar," I say. "But I was just wondering what it was myself, because I think the album switched."
"Hmm," she answered. "Reminds me of the New Pornographers."
Which I think is nuts impressive, because she likes the NPs when they're on, but they're almost never on here, and she's never asked to hear them, but was immediately able to identify an album I'd literally never heard or played before (and neither had she) as the NPs. Good for her, I say. And good for them!
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 1 September 2017 16:12 (six years ago) link
we should just poll them at this point, I've spent so much time listening since that Stereogum article. Thanks Dan!Current ranking: EVTCMRBBeverything else.
― campreverb, Friday, 1 September 2017 17:06 (six years ago) link
Thank you again, thread revive, because I think there was a better than average chance I might not have ever listened to this band on purpose ever again, for no good reason, the ultimate taking a group for granted. But I'm loving them today.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 1 September 2017 18:08 (six years ago) link
I sort of fell into a state of ambivalence toward them for the last couple of years but Whiteout Conditions totally rekindled my love for them. It's one of my favorite records of the year.
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Friday, 1 September 2017 19:47 (six years ago) link
best recorded catalog of the past 2 decades, imo
― alpine static, Friday, 1 September 2017 23:50 (six years ago) link
Here's the list I came up with.
― the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 2 September 2017 02:18 (six years ago) link
not bad. jessica numbers would be the biggest omission for me.
― call all destroyer, Saturday, 2 September 2017 02:22 (six years ago) link
We have arrived
― When I Get To The Borad (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 4 September 2017 14:44 (six years ago) link
Too late to play
― When I Get To The Borad (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 4 September 2017 14:45 (six years ago) link
Hard to argue with that list. "Divine Right" would replace "Testament" in the top 5, but the other 4 are pretty undeniable, especially the vocal octave leaps and drops in the chorus of "Spanish Techno," or the end of "The Bleeding Heart Show" when it goes all "Pleasant Valley Sunday."
(Psst... "Mass Romantic" is on twice.)
― Hideous Lump, Monday, 4 September 2017 17:52 (six years ago) link
easy to argue with that list. "the bleeding heart show" is their best song and remains unmentioned. talk to me about the stooges without mentioning "fun house" or run DMC and "raising hell" and i tune you out
― reggie (qualmsley), Monday, 4 September 2017 19:03 (six years ago) link
Uhm, 'Bleeding Heart Show' is Alfred number one?
― Le Bateau Ivre, Monday, 4 September 2017 19:05 (six years ago) link
aaahh. no arguments with alfred's list. i thought you were talking about the challopsy stereogum dude's. sorry!
― reggie (qualmsley), Monday, 4 September 2017 19:43 (six years ago) link
I'll give you something to be sad about
― Star Star City Slang (James Redd and the Blecchs), Tuesday, 12 September 2017 22:32 (six years ago) link
Ranking their albums. They've shown this on both screens!
― You like queer? I like queer. Still like queer. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 30 October 2018 02:17 (five years ago) link
Why is this nsfw?
― Trϵϵship, Tuesday, 30 October 2018 02:27 (five years ago) link
guessing it's a joke derived from the band name
― niels, Tuesday, 30 October 2018 07:57 (five years ago) link
went on a lil new pornographers ride the other day,
twin cinema deffo seems the best when going back - had a surprisingly good time with brill bruisers too
― nxd, Tuesday, 30 October 2018 10:16 (five years ago) link
I love the way the drums get mixed on Twin Cinema.
― You like queer? I like queer. Still like queer. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 30 October 2018 11:54 (five years ago) link
My man Todd fancey has a new LP out todayhttps://ffm.to/eyesoffire
― calstars, Thursday, 17 June 2021 23:21 (two years ago) link
New!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fDdetA8LU4
"Really Really Light"
― an icon of a worried-looking, long-haired, bespectacled man (C. Grisso/McCain), Monday, 9 January 2023 06:06 (one year ago) link
whoa!
― alpine static, Monday, 9 January 2023 08:47 (one year ago) link
We’re so incredibly excited to share our new record ‘Continue as a Guest’ with you on 3/31. This one feels extra special, as it will be our first release with the legendary @mergerecords. Pre-order is available, as well as our latest merch! We’ve also released our brand new single “Really Really Light”, paired with a beautifully directed video by Christian Cerezo. Listen + watch + pre-order: lnk.to/ContinueAsAGuestWe can’t wait to play these new songs for you all when we hit the road this spring! Ticket presale will begin tomorrow 1/10 at 10am local and general onsale begins on Friday 1/13 at 10am local. Sign up to get the presale code for your show via thenewpornographers.com. A portion of the proceeds from presale tickets sold via our website will go to @fronterafundrgv. Special guests @wildpinknyc open all shows. See below for a full list of dates. 4/19/23 - Asheville, NC - Salvage Station4/20/23 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse4/21/23 - New Orleans, LA - Tipitina's4/22/23 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall4/23/23 - Dallas, TX - Studio at The Factory4/25/23 - Austin, TX - Paramount4/26/23 - Oklahoma City, OK - Tower Theatre4/27/23 - St. Louis, MO - Sheldon Concert Hall4/28/23 - Omaha, NE - The Waiting Room4/29/23 - Kansas City, MO - The Truman4/30/23 - Denver, CO - Gothic Theatre5/03/23 - St. Paul, MN - The Fitzgerald5/04/23 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall5/05/23 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall5/06/23 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall5/08/23 - Cincinnati, OH - Memorial Hall5/09/23 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall5/11/23 - Detroit, MI - El Club5/12/23 - Toronto, ON - Danforth5/13/23 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground Ballroom5/14/23 - Norwalk, CT - Wall Street Theater5/15/23 - Boston, MA - Royale5/17/23 - New York, NY - Brooklyn Steel5/18/23 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer5/19/23 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club5/21/23 - Saxapahaw, NC - Haw River Ballroom
We can’t wait to play these new songs for you all when we hit the road this spring! Ticket presale will begin tomorrow 1/10 at 10am local and general onsale begins on Friday 1/13 at 10am local. Sign up to get the presale code for your show via thenewpornographers.com. A portion of the proceeds from presale tickets sold via our website will go to @fronterafundrgv. Special guests @wildpinknyc open all shows. See below for a full list of dates.
4/19/23 - Asheville, NC - Salvage Station4/20/23 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse4/21/23 - New Orleans, LA - Tipitina's4/22/23 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall4/23/23 - Dallas, TX - Studio at The Factory4/25/23 - Austin, TX - Paramount4/26/23 - Oklahoma City, OK - Tower Theatre4/27/23 - St. Louis, MO - Sheldon Concert Hall4/28/23 - Omaha, NE - The Waiting Room4/29/23 - Kansas City, MO - The Truman4/30/23 - Denver, CO - Gothic Theatre5/03/23 - St. Paul, MN - The Fitzgerald5/04/23 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall5/05/23 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall5/06/23 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall5/08/23 - Cincinnati, OH - Memorial Hall5/09/23 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall5/11/23 - Detroit, MI - El Club5/12/23 - Toronto, ON - Danforth5/13/23 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground Ballroom5/14/23 - Norwalk, CT - Wall Street Theater5/15/23 - Boston, MA - Royale5/17/23 - New York, NY - Brooklyn Steel5/18/23 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer5/19/23 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club5/21/23 - Saxapahaw, NC - Haw River Ballroom
― an icon of a worried-looking, long-haired, bespectacled man (C. Grisso/McCain), Monday, 9 January 2023 15:31 (one year ago) link
Tracklist:
01 “Really Really Light”02 “Pontius Pilate’s Home Movies”03 “Cat And Mouse With The Light”04 “Last And Beautiful”05 “Continue As A Guest”06 “Bottle Episodes”07 “Marie And The Undersea”08 “Angelcover”09 “Firework In The Falling Snow”10 “Wish Automatic Suite”
― an icon of a worried-looking, long-haired, bespectacled man (C. Grisso/McCain), Monday, 9 January 2023 15:54 (one year ago) link