MINI REVIEW ........................................................................15 AUG 2005
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Artist:
NEW PORNOGRAPHERS |
No, we shouldn't be reviewing the latest release from the New Pornographers. It's not exactly alt.country. In fact, the album has absolutely nothing to do with alt.country, Neko Case notwithstanding.
So what exactly is Twin Cinema? And why are we reviewing it? The answer to the easier of the two questions is this: we like Neko. As to the album, the best we can figure is that it's some sort of indy-rock opera--or rather, maybe it's an indy-rock musical.
A few songs in, you get the idea that the record is being performed by a troupe rather than played by a band. The album is not without merit, but the performativity is off-putting, to say the least. Lyrics are over-annunciated ("The Bleeding Heart Show"), melodies take silly Broadway-esque turns, ("These Are Fables"), and the leads even take turns exchanging lines ("Star Bodies"). The most indulgent of the showtunes, however, might be "Jackie, Dressed in Cobras," with its campy drumming and clipped vocal harmonies.
Another of the album's annoying ticks is a tendency toward chanted refrains (i.e. "Take me to where your sister lives. Take me to where your sister lives. Take me to where your sister lives." from "Star Bodies").
Despite the flaws, there are a number of catchy tunes to be found in this musical drama--"The Jessica Numbers" and "Sing Me Spanish Techno" are among our favorites.
In summation: Not a bad album, but it doesn't live up to the buzz, either. It's one of those quirky musical amalgams that makes rock critics salivate, and subsequently forget to do their jobs. When's the new solo album, Neko?