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Pay no attention to the reviews that imply the New Pornographers have "grown up" or "matured" or "drifted away" from the perfect-pop promise of their first three records. For if you throw darts at the songs on Challengers, an ambitious soundscape that had members of the all-star Canadian band recording their parts all over North America, you'll hit one flawless song after another. "All The Old Showstoppers," "All the Things That Go to Make Heaven and Earth," and "Mutiny, I Promise You" (with its driving Farfisa organ) all venture back to the infectiousness of the band's earlier records, with leader and chief songwriter A.C. Newman (now a Brooklyn native) penning some of the most thought-provoking lyrics this side of Billy Bragg. Yes, there are departures, including a string section, flute and harp, and Dan Bejar's foray into indie-pop hip-hop with the witty, New York-heavy "Myriad Harbour." But there's also Neko Case dominating the divine title track and equally charming "Go Places"" as only she can, Kathryn Calder making her lead-vocal debut on "Failsafe" and (with Newman) on the melancholy "Adventures in Solitude," and Newman using an ambitious six and a half minutes to write about his new home city ("Unguided"). Then, your 50 minutes--a dozen songs--are up, as is the conclusion: Grown up? Sure. Matured? OK. Still pop perfect? Utterly. --Scott Holter More from the New Pornographers and Friends 
Mass Romantic | 
Electric Version | 
Twin Cinema | 
Destroyer's Rubies, Destroyer (featuring Dan Bejar) | 
Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, Neko Case | 
Slow Wonder, A.C. Newman |
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0744861077022
Label: Matador Records
Manufacturer: Matador Records
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Matador Records
Release Date: 2007-08-21
Studio: Matador Records
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: Loved it the first time through!
Comment: I learned about this group/CD in an NPR interview, of all things. I liked what I heard and ordered the CD - A great impulse decision! I fell in love with the songs the first time I played through the CD. I'm not a music snob or anything, so I can't think of anything clever to say about it - I just like it!
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Pornographic? Hardly!
Comment: These musicians are pretty good and the songs on CHALLENGERS are simple but extremely melodic. There's a fair amount of variation between them, as a few of them rock out a bit while others are more subdued and stately. The emphasis here is on vocal melody and voices singing in harmony. Overall, the music is a bit too twee and sing-songy for my tastes, but listening with an objective ear, I can tell why people like it. If you like, say, the Beach Boys PET SOUNDS (which I don't), you'll probably go for this.
What I don't get is why this band would call themselves The New Pornographers. There's nothing pornographic, raunchy or even "racey" about them. It's a very misleading name. the only thing I can think of is that they wanted a name well off the beaten path that will ensure their status as an "underground" band in order to maintain their "indie" cred. In the meantime, their name probably turns off a lot of people who would ordinarily like their music but would prefer not to hear anything having to do with "pornography." More astute music fans won't be so easiliy put off - in fact, one of my favorite albums, The Cure's PORNOGRAPHY, has virtually nothing to do with x-rated films. Robert Smith, the Cure's mastermind, gave that album its title to reflect the album's turmoil and depressive aspects - he in fact abhored pornography. Still, I can't help thinking that this other wise decent band chose a monumentally stupid name to call themselves.
Customer Rating:
Summary: I just didn't get it.........recomend the new Poi Dog Pondering "7" CD
Comment: Too be honest....I just don't get it....a blend of numerous influences and styles, but they just never seem to quite blend...hard to describe and it's a worthwile listen....however if you want to hear a band blend various influences from Jam, to Jazz, to Grunge, to Americana Folk...check out the '7' CD from Poi Dog Pondering......truly amazing
Customer Rating:
Summary: Please!
Comment: Pretentious and awful. I bought it and listened 3 times before giving it to my neice, who also wasnt impressed.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Will widen their audience
Comment: I stumbled on this and liked it immediately. I've gone back and listened to their earlier efforts and I don't care for them. I can understand why fans of their earlier works will find this a bit slow, but it strikes me as reflecting a maturation of their talents.
I suspect that this will widen their audience.
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