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Ever noticed how the very best pop music sounds like it could have been written by a jelly sandal-wearing eight-year-old? I love naïve, innocent songwriting, and AC Newman, better known as Carl Newman of The New Pornographers, is a master of the craft, turning the complex into the easily consumed. These songs are timeless. These songs are addictive. These songs are great. Why can't every album be like this?
Such gob-smacking simplicity should be easy to describe to you, the reader, using the conventional comparisons and soundalikes, but ‘The Slow Wonder’ isn’t quite like anything. Its piano-driven pop sensibilities echo Ben Folds (Five) to an extent, particularly on ‘On The Table’, but there’s more to this guy’s game than a keys-replacing-strings gimmick - take note you-know-who. Besides, there’s just as much guitar work here as anything else. I could mention They Might Be Giants and, to some degree, The Flaming Lips as similarly-minded pop-cum-rock acts, but they’re too disparate themselves for such comparisons to stick with conviction. It’s not all summer-y pop either – ‘Drink To Me Babe Then’ is a lovely, somewhat-sombre offering that’s tailor made for the repeat function on your CD player; God, I love it. Nah, the best thing for me to say is that this record is fantastic – there’s really not a single weak song on it – and that you have to buy it. Listening to it on a bus ride home made rainy London seem like a tropical paradise, such are the positive vibes running through it.
An eight-year-old could've written this review. If that's not a sign of universally fantastic music, then I don't know my arse from my ears.
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AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
This is the best review i've read on here in a long time.
i've been giving this album props on the board for a while but nobody seems to listen.
This album is one of my favourites this year and is better than Modest Mouse, Wilco, The Shins and any of the other shitty indie that the kids on the board are listening to these days.
It's just such an endearingly lovely, smart, nuanced album.
i've been giving this album props on the board for a while but nobody seems to listen.
This album is one of my favourites this year and is better than Modest Mouse, Wilco, The Shins and any of the other shitty indie that the kids on the board are listening to these days.
It's just such an endearingly lovely, smart, nuanced album.
AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
Did
Matthew Sweet - Kimi Ga Suki
pass everybody by as well?
This is just as good as A.C Newman. Simular feel also.
Matthew Sweet - Kimi Ga Suki
pass everybody by as well?
This is just as good as A.C Newman. Simular feel also.
Re: AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
whenever i heard the matthew sweet record, i kept thinking "teenage fanclub." that kinda put me off a bit. maybe i need to hear it again..
the AC Newman is utterly fantastic. it's literate and energetic and beautiful all at once. still, it's unfair to compare it to the excellent wilco, modest mouse records as they're completely different. and the shins album is a far, far more sophisticated beast...
the AC Newman is utterly fantastic. it's literate and energetic and beautiful all at once. still, it's unfair to compare it to the excellent wilco, modest mouse records as they're completely different. and the shins album is a far, far more sophisticated beast...
AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
I disagree.
I would say the modest mouse in particular is awful. God awful infact. Especially in contrast with M+A.
The wilco too, sounds like a band on their way down. Not quite there yet but they haven't got another great album in them.
The Shins is not more sophisticated than this, i would say this is a lot better than Chutes Too Narrow. Chutes Too Narrow was always kind of a disappointment to me anyway, Oh Inverted World was much better.
Although, i can't stand the guys voice now anyway.
I would say the modest mouse in particular is awful. God awful infact. Especially in contrast with M+A.
The wilco too, sounds like a band on their way down. Not quite there yet but they haven't got another great album in them.
The Shins is not more sophisticated than this, i would say this is a lot better than Chutes Too Narrow. Chutes Too Narrow was always kind of a disappointment to me anyway, Oh Inverted World was much better.
Although, i can't stand the guys voice now anyway.
Re: AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
Also, The Shins just seem to be distilling everything Elephant 6 ever put out into a more marketable record.
Not that this is always a bad thing, but i think people are overrating them, particularly in England.
Not that this is always a bad thing, but i think people are overrating them, particularly in England.
AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
the only bad thing I can say about this review is that it should have got 5/5...
and to the person going on about how disappointing Modest Mouse, Wilco and The Shins have been recently... what planet are you ON? these have been the defining indie-pop albums of the last 2 years in my opinion!
and to the person going on about how disappointing Modest Mouse, Wilco and The Shins have been recently... what planet are you ON? these have been the defining indie-pop albums of the last 2 years in my opinion!
Re: AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
yep. "golden era" is the phrase that springs to mind. there've been some fucking great records this year...
AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
Shut the fuck up are they 'defining' indie-pop albums.
Moon and Antarctica is modest mouse's defining album.
Wilco hit their peak with Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
The Shins hit their peak with Oh, Inverted World.
The thing i don't like is that people are going on about these 3 bands, but they are talking up the wrong records.
Also, i think the score for this was right, it's no 5/5 album, wonderful as it may be.
Moon and Antarctica is modest mouse's defining album.
Wilco hit their peak with Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
The Shins hit their peak with Oh, Inverted World.
The thing i don't like is that people are going on about these 3 bands, but they are talking up the wrong records.
Also, i think the score for this was right, it's no 5/5 album, wonderful as it may be.
AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
Am looking forward to receiving my copy of AC Newmans album with bated breath.
However, i think The Shins are fantastic and one of the best bands i've heard in eons. Oh! Inverted World is indeed a verifiable classic and Chutes Too Narrow is just as good if not better, in my opinion. Saw them live in a small venue in Dublin recently and man, they're tight. The best gig i've been at all year. Have heard a lot of people slagging off The Shins saying that anyone can come up with their "lazy" pop sound. Bullshit. It's an art in itself making something as breezy and multi-layered as Chutes. That album just gets better with every listen and when the lyrics start to hit home and make sense each song becomes a masterpiece and the album even greater than the sum of its parts.
However, i think The Shins are fantastic and one of the best bands i've heard in eons. Oh! Inverted World is indeed a verifiable classic and Chutes Too Narrow is just as good if not better, in my opinion. Saw them live in a small venue in Dublin recently and man, they're tight. The best gig i've been at all year. Have heard a lot of people slagging off The Shins saying that anyone can come up with their "lazy" pop sound. Bullshit. It's an art in itself making something as breezy and multi-layered as Chutes. That album just gets better with every listen and when the lyrics start to hit home and make sense each song becomes a masterpiece and the album even greater than the sum of its parts.
Re: AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
Every time you criticise the Shins, a fairy dies (in a terrible slow manner)
Can you not do it please.
They bring joy to the world, you can't hate them, it's utterly impossible. Use your energy on bands that are already mass hated.
Can you not do it please.
They bring joy to the world, you can't hate them, it's utterly impossible. Use your energy on bands that are already mass hated.
Re: AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
Can't believe The Shins backlash has started already.
They're a great band and CTN is a wonderful album. I swear people just wanna appear ahead of the times by being the first to slag of a band as soon as they start becoming more popular.
Indie-Kid posturing makes me sick, The Shins make me better.
They're a great band and CTN is a wonderful album. I swear people just wanna appear ahead of the times by being the first to slag of a band as soon as they start becoming more popular.
Indie-Kid posturing makes me sick, The Shins make me better.
Re: AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
Exactly, just a load of contentious musical snobbery
AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
Nope, i don't even really like indie music anymore, let alone involve me in their stupid scene politiks.
I saw the shins this year and they were pretty meh.
The Shins getting popular is a good thing, its better than what we've had shoved down our throats for the past few years.
It's good for sub pop too, this success means that they are more likely to take a few more risks in the future and thats a good thing by me.
I saw the shins this year and they were pretty meh.
The Shins getting popular is a good thing, its better than what we've had shoved down our throats for the past few years.
It's good for sub pop too, this success means that they are more likely to take a few more risks in the future and thats a good thing by me.
Re: AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
I know M&A is Modest Mouse's defining and best album... but "Good News..." is not only completely different, but a shining example of schizophenia and diversity done well on record... there are some mindblowing songs on there!
I was referring to YHF when talking about Wilco... it was a 2002 album... and there has been no follow-up...
and OIW was a great album, but The Shins managed to take it to a higher and more consistant level with their follow-up... in my opinion (which is the crux of the matter here! however much you are unwilling to accept that people might think differently to you)... oh, and remember I said defining albums "of the last few years"...
I was referring to YHF when talking about Wilco... it was a 2002 album... and there has been no follow-up...
and OIW was a great album, but The Shins managed to take it to a higher and more consistant level with their follow-up... in my opinion (which is the crux of the matter here! however much you are unwilling to accept that people might think differently to you)... oh, and remember I said defining albums "of the last few years"...
Re: AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
thats a very good theory. so next year when people are saying the shins are crap, people can say 'heh i never liked them, i was saying how rubbish they were ages ago'
should i buy this album? if 5+ different people post saying 'yes' then ill go get it.
and i in turn will recomend an album for you :]
should i buy this album? if 5+ different people post saying 'yes' then ill go get it.
and i in turn will recomend an album for you :]
Re: AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
Well the leak for Wilco's follow up to YHF 'A Ghost Is Born' was floating around on soulseek first about 2 months ago, and now its all over the internet, especially since it was released on CD.
So i thought you were referring to the new wilco and the new modest mouse when you said about 'defining albums of the last few years'.
My bad.
So i thought you were referring to the new wilco and the new modest mouse when you said about 'defining albums of the last few years'.
My bad.
Re: AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
If your'e asking if you should by the shins' album the answer is yes, yes, yes, yes, yes :o)
Re: AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
Yes. No question. That's two...
Re: AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
nah the ac newman one.
Re: AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
I meant the AC Newman one. OK, so that's one...
Re: AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
Well, I think the New Pornographers are pretty cool and although I haven't heard this yet, it's on my 'must buy' list, so you can count that as two!
AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
This album is great. Its all one big happy-go-lucky affair. If you havent heard this you are definately missing out.
The only bad thing i have to say is the high level of songs isnt carried all the way through the album, but this is a debut appearance so thats to be expected.
The only bad thing i have to say is the high level of songs isnt carried all the way through the album, but this is a debut appearance so thats to be expected.
Re: AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
y'know there's nothing more indie than saying you don't like indie music.
just kidding.
and just my two cents here, the new modest mouse album paralysed me with fluffy, syrupy joy when i first heard it. i am so sorry if that makes me a trend-follower.
kidding again. not sorry at all. nyah.
just kidding.
and just my two cents here, the new modest mouse album paralysed me with fluffy, syrupy joy when i first heard it. i am so sorry if that makes me a trend-follower.
kidding again. not sorry at all. nyah.
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