By Remington Fioraso (Contributor) – Email
Print Edition: October 22, 2014
I initially heard of the Canadian power-pop group the New Pornographers a decade ago, but it wasn’t until the release of their latest album that I started listening to them. Much like binge-watching an entire show on Netflix, I managed to go through their full discography. Better late than never.
The New Pornographers first emerged in the Canadian music scene with their debut album Mass Romantic in 2000. Fourteen years after their debut, and four years after their latest, the New Pornographers have resurfaced with the 13-track LP, Brill Bruisers, which included is the lead single and opening track of the same name.
In comparison to their last album, Brill Bruisers is more upbeat, with faster musical arrangements. There is a significant influence of pop and ‘70s rock, and it focuses on mood rather than telling a story. It works.
Like in previous releases, A.C. Newman takes the majority of lead vocal duties, with Neko Case and Dan Bejar taking the reins for select tracks.
One track that stood out immediately for me was “Dancehall Domine.” Though quite repetitive, the track is catchy, with a cool synth solo.
Concluding Brill Bruisers is “You Tell Me Where,” the most interesting track on the album. The mix of vocals, variety of instruments, and lyrics are memorable, leaving a lasting impression — a perfect final track.
The best feature of Brill Bruisers is the playability factor. There is so much variation in the album, it is easy to listen to the full thing without skipping through songs. The standout tracks for me are “Champions of Red Wine,” “You Tell Me Where,” “Born with a Sound,” and “Dancehall Domine.” Overall, it is a solid album and there is a nice lack of filler tracks.
After listening to Brill Bruisers, I can understand the hype surrounding the Canadian group. Although highly recommending the album, I would check out their previous releases as well if you have not heard them. I hope that you enjoy Brill Bruisers as much as I did.
