Sound: Since achieving the indie pop perfection of 2003’s Electric Version (my #2 album of 2003), New Pornographers have been scaling back on the snappy, immediate singles and replacing them with more reserved and reflective tunes. The move towards a more somber mood has also decreased the synths, organs and electric instruments in favor of acoustic instruments like banjo, mandolin, flute, French horn and string sections. And Neko Case’s masterfully infectious vocal appearances are few and far between as frontman Carl Newman’s niece Kathryn Calder takes a more prominent role in the band.
Heavy Rotation tracks: “Myriad Harbour”; “All the Things That Go To Make Heaven and Earth”
Medium Rotation tracks: “All the Old Showstoppers”; “Go Places”; “Entering White Cecilia”; “Mutiny, I Promise You”; “Challengers”
Recommended: Of the four New Pornographers albums, Challengers is certainly the least fun and catchy, and the most challenging. For some, putting in the effort to embrace this evolution may be too much. But there is plenty to like on here. Dan Bejar’s three glammy, folky tracks are solid, and Carl Newman makes sure they’ve got a couple of the energized sing-alongs we’ve come to expect from them. The New Pornographers machine may be splintering and aging, but it’s still one of the best collectives indie rock has ever witnessed.
Grade: B+

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