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New Pornographers
Side projects have a way of taking on a life all their own. For example, there's the New Pornographers. This Vancouver based collective came together in '96 around vocalist/multi-instrumentalist A.C. (Carl) Newman, vocalist/guitarist Dan Bejar, bassist John Collins, synthesizer player Blaine Thurier (also a well known cartoonist/filmmaker) and vocalist Neko Case.
They watched members come and go, including Case and Thurier, who subsequently returned. Case relocated to Chicago while Thurier worked his film Low Self Esteem Girl. In addition, there were periods of inactivity as members worked with other bands or on outside ventures.
It was difficult to determine whether the New Pornographers was the main endeavor or in fact a side project for its members. But in '00 things were on track with the addition of drummer Kurt Dahle and guitarist Todd Fancey.
The New Pornographers debut album "Mass Romantic" won indie critic's praise as did "Electric Version" which came out three years later. That may seem like a long time between releases, especially for a relatively new band. Here's what happened. The group played Austin's SXSW in '01 and even had the honor of Ray Davies joining them onstage for a performance of the Kinks' "Starstruck." That was followed by a brief North American tour. But rather than build on the momenteum, members decided to once again focus on individual projects. However, once those labors were completed, abandoned or a combination of the two, the New Pornographers returned to the studio.
For '05 release "Twin Cinema" the New Pornographers beefed up their vocal chops with Kathryn Calder and Nora O'Connor. Calder, who also played piano, was Newman's niece. Nice to keep family members employed. She was brought onboard largely as a live replacement for Case, whose solo career often created scheduling difficulties.
Looking less and less like a side project and more like a full-time, real deal, the New Pornographers returned in '07 with "The Challengers." The set held Calder's first vocals for the band. Her lead on "Failsafe" and duel lead with Newman on "Adventures In Solitude."
The group's fifth album, Together," landed in '10.
You'd think with a name like the New Pornographers that they would be a hard core Punk band with a penchant for explicit lyrics. But no. They blend acoustic and electric instruments with strong, melodic vocals. The good news is, the group has improved with each album.
On "Twin Cinema" there's the contemplative yet intriguing "The Bones Of An Idol." "The Bleeding Heart Show" dwells on random chances with the line "looks like I picked your name out of a hat." "Sing Me Spanish Techno" features a catchy riff and is a subtle charmer, as is "Streets Of Fire."
"Mass Romantic" with the title track and the rousing "The Slow Descent Into Alcoholism" is a good effort but songs like "The Fake Headlines" drag. "Electric Version" has "All For Swinging You Around," the choppy but melodic "From Blown Speakers" and the title track's harmonic Rock, complete with falsetto vocals.
"The Challengers" starts off so low key that it barely registers. When "Myriad Harbor" rolls out with a catchy hook and Dylan-esque harmonica it's a welcome change. Fortunately, things keep moving with a blast of straight-ahead, old fashioned Rock n' Roll on "All The Things That Go To Make Heaven And Earth." That song and the retro-Rocker, "Mutiny, I Promise," with a Vox-style organ, are the prominent tracks. But there's also the reverb-guitar drenched "Failsafe," the elegant cool of "Entering White Cecilia" and the set's best ballad, the harpsichord laced "Unguided."
"Together" is Folk-Rock cabaret with enough embellishments to impress the Beach Boys, circa "Pet Sounds."
"Valkyrie In The Roller Disco" is a great title - too bad the song doesn't live up to it. But that's the only rough patch. "Crash Years," "Your Hands (Together)," "Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk," and "Up In The Dark" are an appealing synthesis of what the New Pornographers do best - great tunes with a lot of smart stuff going on.