The New Pornographers Review by moi.

Here's my first ever music review!!
To be published in our university magazine.


‘Pop music as it should be, raw and without the cliché mainstream bullshit.'

Canadian-US collective group The New Pornographers are back with their fifth studio album Together with Neko Case and Destroyer’s Dan Bejar, Together also features contributions from Beirut’s Zach Condon, St Vincent’s Annie Clark and the horn section from the Dap-Kings. The title Together suggests what the album is all about; a collaboration of beautifully crafted lyrics, harmonic melody and the perfect mixture of pop rock seduction and explosive alternative glory. As a dedicated fan I could find no fault with the album. Perhaps a little mellower than former albums Electric Version and Twin Cinema, the album is still a great indulgence of pop powered goodness. Some of the vocals may sound similar to bands like Belle and Sebastian, The Mountain Goats or My Morning Jacket, but don’t be fooled; The New Pornographers are a band born on originality. Determined to pull away from the generic-ness of yet another ‘alternative’ band, the Pornographers offer light, fun, pop driven music that is bound to have you off your feet in no time. The New Pornographers take the shame out of ‘pop’ music and have somehow managed to make it cool again. They have invented their own sound and have stayed loyal to this over the years, from the 2000 debut release of Mass Romantic, to the band’s last release Challengers in 2007. ‘Together’ is yet another example of this great distinctive sound. The use of cello and strings provides an interesting twist throughout the album while tracks like ‘Your hands’ opt for a more rock based approach. While all the tracks are deliciously lust worthy, the best to linger over would be ‘Sweet Talk Sweet Talk’, ‘What Turns Up in the Dark’ and ‘We End Up Together’. For any Pornographers fan I can safely say you will not be disappointed; the tunes are catchy, the songs work well together and the lyrics will be stuck in your head, so if you have never heard the band before than what better place for the two of you to get together.

By Gabrielle Johnson.