On my first spin through the Twin Cinema, however, the song that really grabbed my attention and made me pay attention to what I was listening to was "These are the Fables," a dreamy groove that really shows off the range of the superb Neko Case. The second or third time through this song, you'll catch yourself singing along. I dare you to resist.
10,000 dancing girls kicking
cans across the sky
No reason why
Oh, I know why. Because Neko Case is amazing.
The song that immediately follows, however, is a little disappointing. "Sing Me Spanish Techno" needed a more standout vocal; again, that's my only real complaint with the album. The vocal track just fades back into the song, bursting out only occasionally, but the energy doesn't last. It just seems a little muddled, which is a shame. This could have been a really great song and is instead merely pretty good.
Other standouts are "Three or Four," sung by Case and A.C. Newman's niece, Kathryn Calder, a new addition to the band. They harmonize happily, girlishly over a jagged beat and the result is sharp indeed. But if I were forced to play only one song from the album in an attempt to explain what The New Pornographers were all about, I'd choose "Falling Through Your Clothes," an ethereal puff of sound that's something of a departure from the rest of the album (very minimalist), but manages to make the best use of every part of the ensemble. This is the smoothest track on the album, and the song most likely to make you want to lie on the floor and stare at the ceiling with the volume cranked as you watch your daydreams play out across the plaster.
The final song, "Stacked Crooked," is another high point on the album, and the perfect choice to wind down. The rest of the album is summed up here in a lip-biting, hopeful song that builds to a perfect pop crescendo before winding down again to the final lines, a plea for a moment of magic that leaves the listener a little wistful in a satisfied sort of way.
Article comments
1 - The Theory
Ok, I adore this album to death. It's been on practical non-stop play for me since the begining of this month. I think there are probably 7 songs that I could probably call 'the greatest thing ever.'
2 - LegendaryMonkey
It IS pretty damned catchy. I listened to it many, many times last night and caught myself running through the parts of “Use It” I could remember this morning while at work.
3 - John
Anyone have the lyrics for this CD? If so please e-mail me a link or something. I like this album a lot...although it took me a few listens to start liking it. I agree though, the lyrics need to stand out more. I really can't hear a word they are saying on most tracks, which is why I am looking for the lyrics. I thought for a momment maybe I got a dud CD that was not mixed the way it should have been. Come on New Porno's let us hear those great lyrics of yours. Jesh. Any comments? E-mail me!
4 - Temple Stark
LM,
New music editor Matt Freelove chose this for a pick of the week. Click HERE to fnd out why.
Thank you. EE Temple
5 - LegendaryMonkey
Eeeeeeeee! Thank you!
6 - bwat?
Sing Me Spanish Techno is amazing I don't know what you're talking about.