#3 Album of 2005

The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
[Matador Records; released 8/23/05]

Twin Cinema is the 3rd release from this Canadian indie all-star band, and this album features some of the best indie pop songs in recent memory. With this album, The New Pornographers have mastered the ability to write some dang catchy power pop songs yet still manage to expand their sound, but no where near to the extent of being considered “weird” or “experimental.” That is a very hard and tricky thing to do. Anyone can pop this album in (or click play on the ipod) and get into the songs without being overwhelmed. In that way it is a very accessible record. But, after a few listens, one can start to appreciate the depth of the music and the amazing talent of every single musician in the band. There is not one part of the music that does not step to the forefront at some point. The vocals are fantastic, the hooks are amazingly catchy, the piano steps up big, and the drums are absolutely amazing. It’s as if the band just decided to let each member go off on their own and finally let his or her talent shine through. Rarely can that work out to the success of what Twin Cinema offers. I really don’t know if the band had any idea what they were accomplishing while recording this album. They probably just figured they needed to expand their sound a bit, yet remain a power pop band at heart…how they accomplished that is absolutely mind-boggling.

My #2 album of the year tomorrow…