Amazon.com
Pay no attention to the reviews that imply the New Pornographers have "grown up" or "matured" or "drifted away" from the perfect-pop promise of their first three records. For if you throw darts at the songs on Challengers, an ambitious soundscape that had members of the all-star Canadian band recording their parts all over North America, you'll hit one flawless song after another. "All The Old Showstoppers," "All the Things That Go to Make Heaven and Earth," and "Mutiny, I Promise You" (with its driving Farfisa organ) all venture back to the infectiousness of the band's earlier records, with leader and chief songwriter A.C. Newman (now a Brooklyn native) penning some of the most thought-provoking lyrics this side of Billy Bragg. Yes, there are departures, including a string section, flute and harp, and Dan Bejar's foray into indie-pop hip-hop with the witty, New York-heavy "Myriad Harbour." But there's also Neko Case dominating the divine title track and equally charming "Go Places"" as only she can, Kathryn Calder making her lead-vocal debut on "Failsafe" and (with Newman) on the melancholy "Adventures in Solitude," and Newman using an ambitious six and a half minutes to write about his new home city ("Unguided"). Then, your 50 minutes--a dozen songs--are up, as is the conclusion: Grown up? Sure. Matured? OK. Still pop perfect? Utterly. --Scott Holter

1. My Rights Versus Yours
2. All The Old Showstoppers
3. Challengers
4. Myriad Harbour
5. All The Things That Go To Make Heaven And Earth
6. Failsafe
7. Unguided
8. Entering White Cecilia
9. Go Places
10. Mutiny, I Promise You
11. Adventures In Solitude
12. The Spirit Of Giving

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000S9KSC8/?tag=imwan-20

It's a great cd. I've listened to the tracks a few times. For me it's their best cd yet. I'm a Neko Case fan, so I'm somewhat biased haha.


Also, if anyone here is interested, the new Rilo Kiley cd 'Under The Blacklight' is released the same day. Best Buy will have it for $7.99. I am a huge fan of theirs and I highly recommend it.