Disco de The New Pornographers: “Twin Cinema”

I've had nearly 6 months with this record now and am convinced that it is the New Pornographer's masterpiece, though I believe (and hope) that the best is still yet to come.

This album departs from the previous album 'Electric Version's overall veneer of hook laden, sunny, formulaic pop (as addictive as it was) and steps up with a startling array of musical shades. The album offers up endlessly exquisite examples of alt-pop, rock, country, underground, prog rock and experimental compositions. Somehow, it also makes sense as a whole.

It's been said many times, but this band has the greatest musical chops currently on offer. Their virtuoso stylings at times show them pushing beyond the limits of expectation. Simple treatments of the songs would be just too boring, given the technical abilities of everyone involved. The important thing is it's joyous in a twisted kind of way, and every part of the production is there because it needs to be there.

On this album you will find a few instant winners (for me it was Use It, The Bones of an Idol and These are the Fables) but after you've played them to death, the other tracks will one by one start to reveal themselves - my current favourites are Jackie, Dressed in Cobras, Streets of Fire, Stacked Crooked and Broken Beads. Honestly, there isn't a dud here.

The innovative production here is so organic to A C Newman and Dan Bajar's brilliant song writing that it almost goes unnoticed. The songs are fully developed and often, cross and counter melodies begin to emerge as you get to know the songs better. Check out the sudden stomping rhythm at the end of Stacked Crooked that develops into a chorus chant. Earlier, a faux-Arabic lilting vocal breaks unexpectedly in the same tune. The most glorious moments could be the sudden time shifts and beautiful piano runs in Jackie, Dressed in Cobras. The lyrics seem equally random and incisive "On a train devouring the land, there's a kid going insane over her man, insane over her man, insane over her...".

`Use It' is a post sixties, darkly decorated shuffle, that takes off like a rocket. Newman's vocal has never sounded cooler than on this track.

On `These are the Fables', Neko Case, just the cream on top of all the other brilliance on this album, sings with perfect composure. Her work on Bones of an Idol is deceptively effortless.

So many things are right about this record - experimental and melodic, enigmatic and confident, it's endlessly enjoyable and fascinating. I can hardly wait to hear what they come up with next.

"Twin Cinema" eventually takes over your full attention span with the beautiful vocal work and the diversity of their music from track to track. "The Bones of an idol", "The Bleeding Heart Show" and "These are the Fables" are testimony of the extraordinary work of this fascinating Canadian ensemble do (what are they doing to the water north of the border these days?) Without going as full fledge into experimental territory as their Montreal counterparts, Broken Social Scene, they still get a lot accomplished (actually, they sound a bit like BSS' sister band Stars, once in a while), making this album one of the best ones to have been released in 2005.

I had to listen to this album a couple of times before it really clicked with me, but it did and I now consider it to be at least the equal of Mass Romantic and The Electric Version.

Like those two albums (and A.C. Newman's solo album The Slow Wonder), Twin Cinema is packed with songs that are absolute pop perfection. "Three or Four", "Sing Me Spanish Techno", "Twin Cinema", "Broken Breads" and the last two minutes of "The Bleeding Heart Show" are all absolutely gorgeous songs, catchy and fun.

And then there's "The Jessica Numbers". I can't get enough of it. I think it may well be my personal pick for Song of the Year.

Pound for pound, The New Pornographers might just be the most talented group of musicians performing today. Buy this CD and enjoy!

I have anxiously been awaiting the release of the New Pornographers' next album for some time now, as I fell in love with them upon purchasing "Electric Version", which was then further cemented by "Mass Romantic". After two stunning albums, I wondered how they would fare with this, their third release...and needless to say, I was blown away all over by them again with "Twin Cinema". This cd is the jewel in their crown; the best they have made thus far, and in my humble opinion, that's saying a lot!! It is flawless, stunning, melodic, colorful, diverse, flowing over with the pure joy of making music and bursting with exuberance. Truthfully, there is not a single bad song to be had in this amazing collection!! There are few bands on the face of the earth that make me want to cry with the rush of happiness, bliss, positivity that they make me feel...and this group is one that definitely falls into that category. It's impossible to not be uplifted by the bouyant harmonies, excellent insturmentation, and sharp lyrics. One reviewer here obviously doesn't know much about how they came by their name (taken from Jimmy Swaggart calling music "the new pornography")-get your facts straight before assuming that they are associating themselves with the real pornography industry, buddy!! Talk about no sense of humor.... :-/ For me, I let this incredibly talented band and their fantastic music speak for itself...that's truly the only thing that matters!! Words fail me when trying to describe how much I love this band, or how much I love the new album....I can't recommend it highly enough!!! :-)

For a Brit living in the U.S., NY Specifically you would have to forgive me and my fellow countrymen for touting the latest and greatest next big thing to float across the ocean. Listening to this album though I feel that maybe some of us have our blinkers on to just how wonderful some of the U.S. bands can be. 'Twin Cinema' kicks into place many of the pretentious [...] that the U.K. has currently thrown the States way. Music with such great depth and soul, richness and beauty. I suddenly realize why U.S. still has Britain beat in the music stakes, when bands like this still exist. I bought this CD purely based on a single free Download from 'Amazon.com', namely 'The Laws have Changed' which is such a brilliant track that I almost had the thought of buying their entire back-catalogue sight (or rather hearing) unseen. However, I went for their latest effort and I think I hit the jackpot. Somewhere between melodic pop/rock, raging indie college darlings and psychedelic ballads. Check out the track 'The Bleeding Heart Snow' track which you will recognize from some unrecognizable advert on TV purporting to convey the best in music, hey if only all new music sounded this good. Neko Case's vocals are well complimented by the music of the band but are actually used quite sparingly, hey you don't waste a fine wine you savor every drop and make the most of it. The lyrics on some of the songs are ethereal and strangely beautiful. 'These Are the Fables' is a treasure of modern pop-rock. Perfectly sensible and incomprehensible artistic ramblings that make a sense in a mystical world that belongs purely to this group alone. The Albums that always stand out to me are those that sound unlike anything else out there and 'Twin Cinema' has now taken its place with those very few bands whose art is passionately worn on their sleeves. I can't praise this album enough. My favorite album of 2005. 5 Stars absolutely, no doubt about it. If you're stuck in the mind-set that they don't make good music anymore, please check out this modern masterpiece. There is hope after all.