The New Pornographers - The Bleeding Heart ShowAlbum: Twin Cinema [2005]
this vancouver indie rock supergroup's third album, "twin cinema", garnered a good deal of critical praise and received near-perfect rankings from such influential outlets as rolling stone and pitchfork (doesn't really mean anything, just sayin'). it's a bright, hooky record that sounds cheerful even when the tempos slow down and the melodies drift toward a minor key. it's sharp and tuneful, abundant in references to classic guitar pop yet never sounding beholden to the past, thanks to the lively, loose performances, a simple yet powerful production, and smart writing, usually from the pen of "leader" a.c. newman. although he writes 10 of the 13 tracks here, newman has a different perspective when writing for the new pornographers as opposed to his solo work, composing within a specific framework that emphasizes the collective nature of the group, giving every member more or less equal time. and, as the album proves, collective is a better word to describe the new pornographers than band, since they have a friendly, casual vibe that sounds like the product of informal jam sessions. that's appealing, but it's also part of the reason that the group doesn't have a distinctive personality or focal point outside the tunefulness of the music itself. anyway, it's a deliberately charming in its modesty, which makes for an endearing listen. the hooks and harmonies on this tune tumble out one after the other, as the band plays with energy and enthusiasm. neko case's harmonies match newman's vocals so well, and the "ooooh ooooh"'s and "hey la's" at the climax of the song are damn near orgasmic. always a pleasure, just like sunshine.
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