2. The New Pornographers - Brill Bruisers
In case you didn’t know, I am a shameless lover of classic pop. Early Beatles, Beach Boys, Big Star, Cheap Trick, Paul Westerberg…I just absolutely eat that stuff up. In the past 10-15 years, though, I can’t think of a better pop songwriter than Carl Newman. His sonic palette has expanded with each release and his songs have continually grown more expansive. I wouldn’t necessarily say that this release is a throwback to earlier times, but it has more in common with Twin Cinema than either Challengers or Together, at least in terms of feel. When it comes to the arrangement and sound of each song, though, Brill Bruisers has a complexity that surpasses those earlier efforts. The rhythms and interplay between the instruments are more intricate and layered here.
It’s almost unfair when you consider the ridiculous amount of talent assembled here. Not only are Newman and Bejar great (albeit very different) songwriters, but they also have Kathryn Calder and the incomparable Neko Case contributing vocals. Their voices are all distinct and deployed for maximum effect. At the same time, they have an amazing ability to harmonize and play off of one another. Oh, there are also 2 keyboardists adding layer upon layer of sound to each track. Finally, Kurt Dahle is probably one of the most underrated drummers in rock. It’s an embarrassment of riches, and each of those parts comes together and contributes something to the final product.
In many ways, Newman seems to be channeling Jeff Lynne in the way he’s structured a lot of these songs. The production is bright and shiny with a bunch of sonic embellishments popping in and out. It’s power pop with a slightly futuristic air, classicist and modern at the same time. It helps that the tempo and tone remain largely upbeat. There are a few “slow” tracks, but the overwhelming sensation is joy and exuberance. The album explodes in Technicolor on the opening track and maintains its high throughout the entire running length.
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