Search - The New Pornographers :: Challengers

Erratic, but truly stellar in places

vertov | 09/26/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was introduced to NPs by someone who was way more into indie music than me, but since I was way more into her than she was into me, I tried hard to like them, but I just couldn't stand most of their earlier work. Now, a couple of years later, Challengers falls into my lap, and I can't get enough of it.



That's not true. I can't stand what I consider the more manic stuff on here, like Myriad Harbour, All The Things, Entering White Cecilia, and Mutiny. They scream at me as I rush to turn the sound down.



However...



My Rights Versus Yours, Challengers, Go Places, and particularly Unguided have poignant and rich lyrics that gain more meaning to me after continued listening. They're wrapped in nicely layered sound that just reverberates around my car when I'm listening to them. I listened to a preview of the title track before I bought it and was really sucked in, ended up buying the entire album. Now all four of these tracks are in my top 25 most played on my iPod in the last three years, and I've only owned them for one!



I hope I don't offend the diehards - not my intention! This is just an opinion of a curious listener. I continue to be intrigued by this album that has four of my favorite songs and four of my least favorite in one place. And regardless, it was WELL worth the purchase."

Eclectic and Creative

N. McLaughlin | Columbus, OH USA | 09/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was my first New Pornographers CD purchase. I bought it for my husband, and was looking for new and interesting music. We both love this CD and listen to it over and over. Each song sounds so different as they utilize 4 different lead singers and many different styles. I enjoy all the songs, but I think my 2 favorite are "Go Places" and "Myriad Harbor"---which are completely opposite songs! What a creative CD! With songs that are both fun, upbeat, slow, and beautiful. Nothing is boring!"