And just when I thought it could not get any better, I see that my beloved Imperial Teen has released a new song from their upcoming album, “the hair the tv the baby and the band”!!!
Street date: August 21 (same as The New Pornographers! I feel f a i n t with excitement!!)
Ooooh, it never rains, but it sure does pour. My cup officially runneth over this week.
The new Spoon album is being streamed for free.
My Rights Versus Yours - 4:17 - One of the characteristics that I like about many NP songs is the way a song starts out tentative and spare and it builds steadily as instruments and voices chime in until the song starts to really chug and it grabs me by the hand and pulls me along with it. I can tell already that this is gonna be a great song to listen to when I’m driving, a great song to listen to when I’m running. As an opening track, it instills in me utter confidence in what’s to come.
All The Old Showstoppers - 4:08 - Funkification. Chunkification. Harmonification. Earfulofelation. This one is impossible for me to listen to without bobbing my head.
Challengers - 3:32 - Neko takes over the lead from Carl. What a sweet clear voice she has. Interesting instrumentation accompanying her–bass, piano, and then something being plucked (not sure what yet–mebbe a harp?).
Myriad Harbour - 4:00 - And now here is Dan Bejar. His lyrics run all over the music. You never know where he’s gonna go. This one’s got an insistent beat that is gonna be another fun one to run to…
All The Things That Go To Make Heaven and Earth - 3:09 - Oh my, I would never have guessed that a piccolo (I think that’s what it is… it sounds higher pitched than a flute, anyway) would ever be welcome (by me, that is) in a pop song. This one starts out at a run and keeps up the pace and I am only too happy to bound along with it.
Failsafe - 2:37 - Oooh, such sweet soft harmonies accompanying a ka-chonk ka-chonk wogga wogga wogga and with a hook that’s gonna rattle around my noggin for awhile.
Unguided - 6:33 - Carl is back with a coup of catchy pop with an almost Brian Wilsonesque teenaged symphony to God feel to it… It’s a little early for me to say, but this is probably going to turn out to be the creative heart of this album.
Oh my. Is there not gonna be one track I don’t like?
Entering White Cecilia - 3:29 - My new favourite make-out song. There’s a lightheartedness about it that is very appealing and unexpected.
Go Places - 4:33 - Another fascinating instrumentalization that is accompanying Neko’s heartaching delivery of Carl’s lyrics. “Yes, a heart will always go one step too far…” God, how I wish I were in the first throes of a love affair. You know–that period when all your senses seem at their peak… colours brighter, aromas more delicate & distinct, flavours spicier/sweeter/tangier, and every nerve ending feels like it hangs in wait for his next touch. Yeah. That glorious time. This would be our song. These strings are exquisite.
Mutiny, I Promise You - 4:12 - Joyous pop perfection. Is that an organ pushing this one along? I think so. Head bops unbidden.
Adventures In Solitude - 4:16 - Kathryn and Carl duet on this sweet, pretty one… I’ve always liked this kinda boy/girl combo–they are at the heart of some of my favourite bands (X and Divine Horsemen, for examples). It’s all plucked strings and percussion here.
The Spirit Of Giving - 4:02 - The pace slows to close out the album. Dan’s delivery runs expectedly unexpectedly all over his music, and I can’t really explain how or why it works. But it does. I see that this is a re-work of a song from an early Destroyer 7″. I’ll post the original here, since I can’t post the new NP version. The new version is less tinkly and more full and Dan’s voice is mebbe even a little more dramatic and confident than in the original.
I l!o!v!e! this album. I had been steeling myself for disappointment–because it would be truly difficult to top my love for last year’s brilliant “Twin Cinema”–but all surprises here have been happy ones.
*gasp* I just realized The New Pornographers have released a free single from their upcoming album, “Challengers”!
Here ’tis:
The album’ll be available sooner than the street date through Matador Records’ “Buy Early Get Now” promotion. And, yes, of course I signed up for it. All kindsa goodies come with it!
Ooooooh. Ever get that feeling of déjà vu?
Congratulations and many thanks to the (Once and Always Mighty) Ducks of Anaheim. They put an end to the Cup hopes of my two most hated teams: Detroit and Ottawaaaah. Ahhh, bliss.
