The New Pornographers

Have an empty space between your copies of Hearts of Oak and Chutes Too Narrow? Need a sparkling new addition to your collection of great bands with horrible names? Feel like cleansing your palette of the countless cred-thriving indie bands that couldn't write a decent, memorable tune to save their collective lives? If you answered yes to any of the previous questions, not only are you guilty of reading and responding to the cheesiest review intro ever, you're also in luck, because The New Pornographers are only too ready to remedy your concerns with the year's best power-pop album.

Fresh, infectious, versatile, dynamic, energetic, wide-eyed, nearly epic, and catchier than a case of herpes, expect Twin Cinema to become one of your favorite records of the year if you enjoy music. Songs like the building, majestic "The Bleeding Heart Show" and the rollicking title track juxtapose nicely with more understated outings such as "Bones of an Idol" and "These are the Fables." Highlights here are non-existent; with an album this solid and thoroughly enjoyable, picking a favorite is an exercise in futility.

This is one of those records that is just so delectable upon first hearing, deeper analysis could hardly feel any less necessary. Remember finally getting to read a book you liked in high school, only to end up hating it because all the related assignments, essays, and at-length discourses in class killed it for you? Reviewing this feels like trying to explain your favorite color. A.C., Neko, and company have created a pop masterpiece that is completely of the moment, and isn't that the ultimate goal of any pop songwriting team?

8.5 / 10 — Pat