The New Pornographers
Electric Version (2003)

Review by: Mike Webb
Date: 9/1/03

Midway through the Electric Version’s jaunty 9th track, “Testament To Youth In Verse,” the bands stops and goes into an acapella “the bells ring no no no no no no no no.” Each time around they add another harmony vocalist until you begin to think you hear bells ringing. It’s a dramatic moment on a very dramatic pop record that aims as much to amaze as to please.

The New Pornographers are made up with 3 lead singers, 3 guitar players, 4 people who play keyboards and a lot of other ringing decorations. Which is not to leave out drummer Kurt Dahle who adds to the full arrangements not by stomping out a standard 4-4 beat, but by playing around the whole kit to be as musical as the rest of the band. It’s no wonder that Electric Version is so entertaining because there’s so much going on in every song.

The mind blowing moments are endless on this record. “It’s Only Divine Right” has a secret agent theme song sound that would make anyone a new wave provocateur. “The Laws Have Changed” chugs along with a metal-ish E chord and a Partridge Family break that gives Neko Case a moment to shine. And “Miss Teen Wordpower” skips along until the words “nobody knows the rest of the song the way you do” are permanently ingrained on your brain.

The NP’s new wave-pop sensibilities will make you want to check out the original bands these Canadians come from (Zumpano, Destroyer, Limblifter, Evaporators & Neko Case). And while it’s always frightening to put too much stock in a North of America group, these guys are surely challenging Sloan for the cool Canuck throne.