Challengers!

ItshereitshereitshereitshereOMGitshereitshere! Today's Music That Jason Has Been Waiting On For A Long Long Time is Challengers, by the New Pornographers.

So my copy of Challengers finally showed up! It was actually sent to my neighbor, who dropped it off last night around six-ish. (This is ironic because less than an hour before, I was talking to someone at the gym and specifically said "I haven't met any of my neighbors".) I didn't stay up to listen to the whole thing last night - I made it through half the album before I couldn't keep my eyes open - but the early impression is a good one.

Thus far, the songs I've heard seem to be more laid-back and sweeter than the tracks on Twin Cinema. I don't know that this is exactly what I would have hoped for - Twin Cinema was nigh-godly without being too chipper - but it still sounds like New Porn. Most of these songs were written by A.C. Newman, and they sound like Newman songs, with their busy layered soundscape and multiple hooks. Dan Bejar contributes a few songs, and while they don't disrupt the flow of the album, they have a different feel than the Newman tracks. I don't know how to describe the difference, exactly; the Newman tracks are better contained and pull you in right away, whereas the Bejar tracks linger and just grow on you to the point where they end and you aren't ready for them to be over but you know you never will be.

Standout tracks on the initial listen: "Unguided", "Challengers". The title track has Neko Case singing, thank God, and it managed to make me feel luckier and lonelier at the same time. While I don't honestly expect Neko to always be a part of this group, and I'd certainly buy their albums even if she didn't sing on them, her voice still has its Midas touch. Also, sometime if you wanted to hear me turn into a total fanboy, ask me about Neko Case. Let's just leave it at that.

So, in short: New Pornographers, less rambunctious than in their Mass Romantic days but still wonderful, Neko Case can tie me up anytime. Sorry!