Comments on: Some Challengers Talkin’

By: BVKevin

BVKevin — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 03:51:13 +0000

I WAS SO FRIGGIN’ WRONG!!!!!! (please IGNORE or delete previous post!)

After having it with me for a few weeks now – I LOVE THE NEW CD!!!!! – AND IT IS BECAUSE GREAT SONGS ARE GREAT SONGS AND THEY WILL BURN INTO YOUR SOUL!!!!

Also love the

BEAUTIFUL STUFF (and when I really wanna rock out – I will play Twin Cinemas – ONLY LOUDER!)

By: Pets, Ah!

Pets, Ah! — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 18:52:13 +0000

Upon first hearing “My Rights vs. Yours” I admit I thought it was drastically different and would take some getting used to. That was three weeks ago and since then the song has burned a permanent groove in my brain, just like the NP songs of yore. The same thing happened with the first listen of the new album – I debated if it measured up to Twin Cinema. But you can’t prevent great songs from getting under your skin, and once again these guys prove they are the guinea worms of contemporary song crafters. Each day a different Challengers track rotates as my favorite, and, while I agree with dermoth that the “traditional” songs don’t sound as fresh, I still love “All Of The Things That Go To Make Heaven And Earth” and think it’s great on the album.
The Executive Edition seems like a great deal and I’m looking forward to bonus stuff and hope the advance ticket feature assures my wife and I a spot at (I assume) the 9:30 Club come this fall. How about throwing the old B-sides on there as well, since I have yet to find a studio version of “Graceland” anywhere?

By: dermoth

dermoth — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:19:14 +0000

Kathryn is also the man. Adventures in Solitude is the best thing on Challengers, and rivalling Bleeding Heart Show for my favourite song from the last two albums.

I suspect there’s going to be a lot more comments like bvkevin’s. I felt that way the first time I heard “My Rights…”. By the third listen, I was totally hooked. I had exactly the same reaction to most of the other songs on the album, but I already prefer Challengers to Twin Cinema.

But people will certainly complain that it’s not Mass Romantic/Electric Versiony enough. And yet, the weakest track on the album (by a long way) is clearly the one designed to be a sop to the traditionalists. I’d have much preferred it if ATTTGTMHAE had been left off the record, to be honest.

But that’s the only serious complaint. The rest of it is wonderful. It’s not what many fans will WANT from a New Pornographers album, (i.e. more of the same) but that’s not a criticism, just an illustration of what fans are like.

Really looking forward to the “Executive” material. I may even wear a tie to listen to it

Many thanks, New Pornographers! See you at 93 Feet East on Wednesday.

By: Chris F

Chris F — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:49:34 +0000

Will the extra tracks be available as lossless downloads? Who wants to burn compressed music… =)

By: Corrado

Corrado — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 07:40:27 +0000

I want NP singing in my town!

By: bvkevin

bvkevin — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 05:36:40 +0000

I got the early edition ….totally bummed …..where’s the catchy stuff? Its not even growing on me……:(

By: lukas

lukas — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 04:25:26 +0000

That was a pretty kick ass optimistic blog AC!

By: Rich Bradley

Rich Bradley — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 18:15:18 +0000

Carl is the man. This is a phenomenal record. I don’t know if “Unguided” earns all of its six-plus minutes, but, y’know, small quibbles. “Myriad Harbor” is brilliant. Dan is the man, too. And Neko would be the man, if she were a man, and thank Christ she’s not. I think I’m in love with “Go Places.” Oh yes. Very good work.