20170418

It Came Out Magical; Top 25 New Pornographers Songs

I didn't plan to write this list, but the New Pornographer's new album inspired me and I have been listening to the band non-stop for the last two weeks. Narrowing their catalog to 25 songs was incredibly difficult and time consuming, but I will keep the commentary short and simple with just a few embedded live videos (one from each of the seven LPs).

I did not include any Dan Bejar songs. He has some great ones ("Myriad Harbor" is my favorite), but I greatly prefer Carl Newman compositions. Also, after seeing the band live Bejar's antics and overall perceived lack of interest in the band was a turnoff. Specially, he was the only member of the band who did not play on every song. He would come out on stage for his songs, but then go backstage in between. Him having no songs on the latest album "Whiteout Conditions" doesn't bother me one bit.

Final comment: I adore Neko Case, so any song she sings on automatically reaches another level for me.

Top 25 New Pornographers Songs:
25. "The Slow Descent Into Alcoholism" from 2000's Mass Romantic
24. "We've Been Here Before" from 2017's Whiteout Conditions
23. "My Shepherd" from 2010's Together
22. "Marching Orders" from 2014's Brill Bruisers
21. "The Electric Version" from 2003's Electric Version
20. "Mass Romantic" from 2000's Mass Romantic


19. "Whiteout Conditions" from 2017's Whiteout Conditions
18. "Use It" from 2005's Twin Cinema
17. "Unguided" from 2007's Challengers
16. "Moves" from 2010's Together
15. "The Jessica Numbers" from 2005's Twin Cinema
14. "Go Places" from 2007's Challengers
13. "High Ticket Attractions" from 2017's Whiteout Conditions
12. "Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk" from 2010's Together


11. "These Are The Fables" from 2005's Twin Cinema
10. "Challengers" from 2007's Challengers


9. "All For Swinging You Around" from 2003's Electric Version
8. "This Is The World Of Theater" from 2017's Whiteout Conditions


7. "From Blown Speakers" from 2003's Electric Version

6. "Letter From An Occupant" from 2000's Mass Romantic
5. "Champions of Red Wine" from 2014's Brill Bruisers
4. "Crash Years" from 2010's Together


3. "Adventures in Solitude" from 2007's Challengers
2. "Brill Bruisers" from 2014's Brill Bruisers
1. "The Bleeding Heart Show" from 2005's Twin Cinema


The New Pornographers albums ranked:
1. Challengers (I know I am in the minority here)
2. Twin Cinema
3. Brill Bruisers
4. Together
5. Whiteout Conditions
6. Electric Version
7. Mass Romantic