Album Review: The New Pornographers - Together

From the very beginning of Together, it’s clear that The New Pornographers were out to make something different with their fifth album. The strings on the opener, “Moves”, make it unlike any song they’ve done before. The entire album is more organic, focusing less on keyboards and computer-driven production. Its focus is instead on lush, layered instrumentals and vocals.

And a horde of guest appearances (including Zach Condon of Beirut, The Dap-Kings Horns, Will Sheff and Dallas’ own Annie Clark) helps flesh out the sound. Influences on the album include Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Beach Boys and legendary producer Phil Spector, making for an eclectic and classic sound.

The first single, “Your Hands (Together)”, is pure, balls-to-the-wall rock’n’roll, with the full band providing vocals (and a few sweet solos from Neko Case) against a backdrop of heavy guitars and drums.

“Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk” is carried by Kathryn Calder, with support from uncle/band leader A.C. Newman, and though her voice isn’t as powerful as Case’s, it is much stronger than it was on Challengers and it’s clear that she’s become an integral part of the group dynamic.

“Silver Jenny Dollar”, one of three stunning tracks helmed by Dan Bejar, sounds like the New Porno’s grand take on “There She Goes”. “If You Can’t See My Mirrors”, another Bejar song, has 1960s folk-rock written all over it, from the guitar riffs to the cacophony of instruments following the intro, to the Dylan-esque melodies and the breathtaking crescendo of vocal harmonies. Bejar’s ingenious lyrics make it that much better.

“Valkyrie in the Disco” is a clear nod to ABBA, resembling their low-key breakup ballads (i.e. “Winner Takes All”, “When All Is Said and Done”) more than the bombastic dance tunes they’re more famous for. The vocals could give ABBA a run for their money, and the banjo adds an interesting flair.

Together comes to a climax with “We End Up Together”, a gorgeous song with ensemble vocals and string embellishments. It’s mostly a New Pornographers song, but it’s got the mark of Brian Wilson, with its synth, bells and “ba ba bas” and the Wall of Sound-style production is more striking here than on any other song on the record. This band always knows how to close an album.

Make no mistake--this is still The New Pornographers. They have a signature sound, greatly due to the songwriting and vocals of their members. But this is certainly new territory for them, and it officially takes them out of the “power pop” box. It’s vast and ambitious. Even as the music industry is dying, as blog bands are churning out recordings from home and drawing thousands of fans, Newman and company chose to make a good, old-fashioned album. And it turned out to be their greatest, most moving creation yet.

MP3: The New Pornographers - Your Hands (Together)

-Jesseca Bagherpour