(July 2026) Episode 733 is THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS. I had been meaning to get to them for a while, and took the opportunity when I was recently in Canada (they are from Vancouver). The New Pornographers have been critically acclaimed, so I was hoping to be wowed. But something was off. I discovered what it was when an album I was listening to went into repeat and I had not realized it. It left nothing imprinted my brain to tell me I had just listened to these songs 40 minutes ago. Lacking choruses, hooks and tension-and-release, the songcraft is just words and harmonies laid flat on a piece of paper. Their first couple albums, however, deceive of what comes later by having some catchy components, albeit in its indie-typical tweeness.
Favorite album: Mass Romantic
Favorite song: Mass Romantic
Compared to expectations: ↓
Recommendation: The first three albums are ok.
Opus Project 