The New Pornographers: Twin Cinema

I’m not sure how to write about music. I’ve read an article or two that provide suggestions but I don’t think I’m there yet.

So instead I’ll defer to reviews of The New Pornographers’ Twin Cinema I’ve read that seem to do it justice. Then I’ll give you a few of the reasons I like it. Then I’ll link to some tablature for my favorite cuts. Cool?

The reviews:

• Pitchfork Media
• Delusions of Adequacy
• Pop Matters
• Cokemachineglow

I don’t know who any of these folks are; I just found them via Google and read what they had to say, most of which made sense to me.

As for why I like this album, there are a few key elements that stand out. First, the songs are beautifully structured. Whether it’s taking one musical idea and beating it to death (”Three or Four”), building a simple but effective motif and dancing around it (”Sing Me Spanish Techno”), or setting up catchy verses for a killer chorus (”Use It,” “Jackie, Dressed in Cobras”), virtually everything works. The album is full of captivating melodic hooks and few wasted notes.

Second, the vocal harmonies throughout the record shine. Even when it’s only two voices singing fourths (a very common interval), they blend together well. But more often there are three or more vocals intertwined, overlapping and moving in different directions — almost as if arranged for strings. Lead vocals occasionally shift within a song, or even within a single harmonized phrase, which is ear candy for the listener but could be a marketing nightmare for the record company (”Yes, but how do they know which one to listen to?”).

Other factors include use of negative space (e.g., band going tacit behind a key vocal phrase); engaging melodies (even a song like “These Are the Fables,” which doesn’t hit me as hard as most of the others, features a sophisticated and enjoyable melodic vocal line); guitar tones that pay homage to ’70s album rock; and some ferocious drumwork by Kurt Dahle, who veers from the recent pop trend of riding the hi-hat disco style and instead focuses on his toms, to great effect.

If I could write and arrange songs exactly the way the I wanted to, they’d probably sound a lot like these. Or Jason Falkner’s stuff. But that’s a story for another day.

Meantime, as promised, tabs for my favorite songs from this album (all at ultimate-guitar.com):

• “Use It“
• “Jackie, Dressed in Cobras“
• “Sing Me Spanish Techno“

Enjoy!

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