Author: Alice Anichkin
When The New Pornographers came onto the scene at the turn of the century, they were riding the wave of ska that had peaked (and subsequently fettered out) in the 1990s. Over the next fifteen years, the Vancouver-based band would capitalize on ska fever and eventually introduce a new, unique sound – one more muted than ska, with folk and pop inspirations. This would later become classified as indie music.
Though their 2000 debut album, Mass Romantic, failed to make substantial waves in North America, critical praise and a successful tour elevated The New Pornographers to indie and power pop pioneers. Songs like “Letter from an Occupant” and “Mass Romantic” became well known, embodying the captivating energy and overlapping instrumentals and vocals that would gradually become trademarks of The New Pornographers.
consequenceofsound.net
Since Mass Romantic, The New Pornographers have released five other successful albums, including Twin Cinema (2005) and Brill Bruisers, which was released this past summer. Their 2010 album, Together, featured collaborations with members of Beirut and St. Vincent, who recently won the Grammy for Best Alternative album. As the years have passed, rather than continuing to develop their power-pop sound, they seem to have embarked on a different path of indie music. Today, The New Pornographers have a folksy rhythm laced in with subtle synth and electro that is rampant amongst many contemporary bands trying to update their traditional sound.
While earlier albums such as Challengers (2007) featured electrifying riffs and borderline whiney crooning, singles off their most recent album — such as “War on the East Coast” and “Champions of Red Wine” — have a softer tone. The New Pornographers have settled into a more mellow sound, perhaps stemming from different members’ solo projects. Lead singer A.C. Newman has had quite a solo side career, even scoring the 2013 film What If starring Daniel Radcliffe.
pitchfork.com
The New Pornographers are currently on tour promoting Brill Bruisers. Ithaca has the honor of hosting them tonight, February 10th, at the State Theater of Ithaca at 8PM. Tickets are $15 for Cornell Students and $20 for general admission.
Executive Director of Cornell Concert Commission, Ryan Enderby, commented, “CCC is thrilled to have the chance to work with local promoter Dan Smalls to bring an indie rock band as iconic as The New Pornographers to Ithaca.”
