Austinist: Feature Review: the New Pornographers Challengers

guest

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 22:51:25 -0600

i'm a huge fan of dan bejar, but myriad harbour is one of the worst songs he's ever written.

sparklebliss

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 21:05:03 -0600

I knew about the album. I've in fact listened to the full catalog. I just, you know, mucked up a word. I think this particular album is underwhelming. Taken its own merits, it's underwhelming, taken in the context of their other albums, it's still underwhelming.

guest

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 14:14:38 -0600

#9, especially when the album they don't even know about is the best one. Sheesh.

guest

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 13:17:09 -0600

Always a treat to see someone reviewing a band's new album who isn't even familiar with said band's very small discography -- lends an air of credibility to the review, you know?

adi

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 12:39:29 -0600

i actually like this one more than Twin Cinema, but might just be me :) the 1st two are still my favorites though. Electric Version is tops in my book, then Mass Romantic, then Challengers, and finally Twin Cinema. and i love this band. ok, back to Anthrax live!

sparklebliss

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:47:53 -0600

Ok, I tweaked it to say "last" rather than "sophomore." Apparently the discography I consulted was not up to snuff.

guest

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:42:24 -0600

you like myriad harbour because it is a creation of that musical sevant Daniel Bejar. I'm not knocking AC Newman, but "Danny" rules

guest

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:23:07 -0600

like #2 above, i thought twin cinema was their third album.

danimal

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:08:05 -0600

Agreed that Twin Cinema is better. Agreed that Myriad Harbor sounds like a Pixies track, but I don't think it is the best (and definitely not the pop-iest) on the album. Overall I like the album though, feels even more varied than they past albums (which is definitely saying something). Personally "My Rights vs. Yours" is the tune that I've been humming all day... And if you don't like "Go Places", I wouldn't pick up Neko's latest solo album...

tim

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:03:54 -0600

I thought Twin Cinema was a bit flat, the new one's flatter still. Neither compares to Mass Romantic or Electric Version. Someone needs to give them some espresso shots before they go into the studio. I'm sure these songs will be fantastic in concert, but both these new albums just have that "Can't get up enough enthusiasm to make this song great on a recording" problem. Of course they're still far better than most of the music I've heard this year, but I want them to top Electric Version dammit!

Elizabeth S.

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:00:52 -0600

I think that technically Electric Version was their sophomore album. I only know because that remains my favorite of their albums and I have them all downloaded . . . except this new one, which I hope will be on eMusic soon. And for anyone interested, this whole album is streaming on their MySpace page.

guest

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 09:54:05 -0600

Agreed. I loved Twin Cinema, but this new album is F-L-A-T.