Strange News and Galesburg proudly present...The New
Pornographers, for the first time ever in New Zealand!
A.C. (Carl) Newman, for all the good-times vibe of his
band The New Pornographers, likes his alone time. Last year
he disappeared from Vancouver without a word, reappearing
four months later in Brooklyn, where he has stayed ever
since. He resurfaced with a mystery scar, an extra blush to
one cheek, and an armload of songs which tell tales of his
last two years.
Challengers continues along the lines of 2005's Twin Cinema,
whose "relative melancholy makes it the band's best album
yet" [Blender]; indeed, the first track, "My Rights Vs.
Yours," is almost a cross between that album's beloved "Use
It" and "The Bleeding Heart Show". Dialing back the frantic,
these are songs with dynamics and epic sweep. While it's
still a "top-down summer power-pop classic" (or any
variation thereof that the band's enjoyed over the last
several years), this is something more personal, more
lasting.
Recorded for the first time largely outside John Collins'
Vancouver JC/DC Studio, Challengers is their most
organic-sounding record, reflecting a conscious decision to
use less "beepy synth" and almost entirely "real"
instruments (in addition to those listed above, they
recruited an entire string section, plus harp, flute, and
more). And Newman is slightly more scrutable this time
around; his lyrics still ring with wry perception and
political metaphor, but betray some of the magnanimity that
comes with new love ˆ "our arms fill with miracles", he
writes in "Go Places," his most beautiful love song since
"My Slow Descent Into Alcoholism."
The New Pornographers formed in 1997, almost immediately
recorded the classic "Letter From An Occupant," and it was
on. Their three full-lengths (as well as Newman's 2004 solo
debut The Slow Wonder) received wild critical and public
acclaim, and they continue to enjoy bigger (and taller and
smarter) audiences.
The New Pornographers ARE, in alphabetical order - Kathryn
Calder, John Collins, Kurt Dahle, Todd Fancey,
Allan Carl Newman, and Blaine Thurier.
Now, for the first time ever, Strange News and Galesburg are
delighted to be bringing them to NZ for two shows only:
Kings Arms, Auckland - Tuesday 14th October, 2008
San Francisco Bathhouse, Wellington - Thursday 16th October,
2008
