When it burst onto the indie scene a decade ago, The New Pornographers were touted as something of a super-group featuring A.C. Newman, Neko Case, Destroyer's Dan Bejar, as well as a stellar supporting cast. However, as it albums have unfolded, it's become increasingly clear that the New Pornographers is really Newman's group (with occasional cameo songs from Bejar). You could really even count Newman's solo disc, "The Slow Wonder," as a fifth NP's album, as it fits neatly into the context of the songs on the first three New Pornographers albums. However, despite Newman's guiding hand, there was an undeniable energy in the first few New Pornographers albums, the result of so many talented musicians enjoying playing with each other, and bring the best out of each other. As The New Pornographers became successful, however, it changed from a super-group side-project to full time rock group (sometimes in live setting with Case and Bejar, often not). Now, on their fourth album, the novelty of the lineup has settled and so has a bit of the energy. For a group that was so great because of their lively fun, this is problematic.
"Challengers" has all of the hallmarks of a more "mature" record, with more somber lyrics and an emphasis on ballads. Newman seems to have suffered some sort of existential crisis, whether musical or personal, disappearing from Vancouver and moving to New York. As such, he is attempting to transition to an "adult songwriter." There's nothing necessarily wrong with this, but many of these attempts like the title track and "Unguided" feel ponderous and listless. Many of the songs are based around acoustic guitar and lack the pizzazz of older tracks like "July Jones" or "The Laws Have Changed." This is also the first album where the female vocal role has been split by Case and her frequent live fill-in, Kathryn Calder. Calder does not miss a beat when singing back-up. It's only when she has to take center stage as lead vocalist (especially on "Adventures in Solitude") where the differences are noticeable. Calder is a fine vocalist, but she lacks the throaty pipes and ballsy attitude of Case.
While "Challengers" could have turned into a maudlin bummer, it's saved to a large degree by Bejar's three songs. As the band has progressed, Bejar's songs have increasingly stood out from the rest of the vigorous albums, often because of their labyrinthine lyrics and his eccentric vocal delivery. However, on "Challengers," it's Bejar who unexpectantly brings the fun. "Myriad Harbour" features the kind of self-references Destroyer fans have come to expect, as Bejar directly addressed both Newman and bassist John Collins (the latter is a great line: "I said to John, 'do you think the girls here ever wonder how they got so pretty.'") And Bejar's yelpy glam-troubadour vocals are a welcome respite from the overly earnest delivery of Newman and Calder on much of the rest of the disc.
Newman clearly still knows how to write a wonderful pop song, as evidenced on a hand-full of tracks such as "All the Old Showstoppers" and "Mutiny, I Promise You." The most rocking track, "All the Things that go to Make Heaven and Earth," is a great rollicking number that makes me miss the New Pornographers of past albums even more. I can understand Newman wants to evolve, but contrary to what he proposes on "Challengers," there's a difference between growing up and slowing down.
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