Categories : Music Reviews, Rock + Pop.
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Rating: 4/5 Released: August 23, 2005 Reviewer: Nathan Atnikov |
At this point, it’s somewhat pointless to debate A.C. Newman’s genius. The man is, simply put, prolific – almost as if pop songs seeped out of his pores and into public consciousness. His effortless melodies and breezy hooks are out in full force on The New Pornographers’ third release, Twin Cinema.
That’s not to say this album is just a re-hash of the power-pop group’s last effort, Electric Version. Twin Cinema is actually a lot slower paced – less plastic smiles and more furrowed brows, and the result is a better album. A range of emotion that was lacking on EV is welcome on Twin Cinema, as the album feels less like a sustained sugar high and more like a full balanced meal. The Bleeding Heart Show, with its focus on harmony between Newman and vocalist Neko Case, is a brilliant example of a hyperactive band proving that they can build to a climax, instead of just starting in the middle of one.
Twin Cinema is the New Pornographers’ most reserved album to date, despite its overwhelming exuberance. The indie supergroup seems much more concerned with pace and variety than the overwhelming energy that made their last two albums enjoyable but exhausting. The result is a perfect pop album, and another notch in the belt of pop genius Newman.
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