The indie rock supergroup the New Pornographers hails from Vancouver.  Members include Carl Newman of Zumpano, John Collins of Three Evaporators, Dan Behar of Destroyer, cartoonist/filmmaker Blaine Thurier, guest vocalist Neko Case, and drummer Fisher Rose.  Newman began the project in 1996, and the other members trickled in, with the first full rehearsal occurring a full year later.  The group completed four songs, but then split for a time to work on individual projects, such as Thurier’s film Low Self Esteem Girl.  Rose left the group in 1999 and was replaced by Kurt Dahle of Limblifter/Age of Electric.  Guitarist Todd Fancy also joined the group.  This solid lineup began recording again and released the debut album, Mass Romantic.  Then the group split once more to attend to solo projects, but reunited to release their follow-up, Electric Version, in 2003.

            The New Pornographers’ third album, Twin Cinema, has been hailed by critics as the true breakthrough album for this group.  Their sound has been lauded as an impressive mix of the melodies of the Zombies with the hooks of the Kinks.  The New Pornographers have often been compared to the Shins.  This album features more strong vocalists, including Nora O’Connor of the Blacks.  Newman’s piano-playing niece, Kathryn Calder, also contributes to the more integrated sound.  Twin Cinema is also much more of a rock offering than Mass Romantic or Electric Version, and features more introspective and personal lyrics than the previous albums.  Twin Cinema ranks on many ‘Top of ‘05” listings.  Expect to hear influences of Fiery Furnaces, Frog Eyes, The Moody Blues, Tubeway Army, Wings, Eno, The Stranglers, 10cc, and others.

Week 2: Sunday, February 5th Listen in for Beck's Guero