album #22

get guilty (a.c. newman)

The New Pornographers are my favorite band and I almost automatically love any project that extends from their collective- Destroyer, Immaculate Machine, and the solo career of A.C. Newman, their driving force. This is Newman's second solo album. He's one of the era's best pop craftsmen. He simply knows how to put together good pop songs, like almost nobody else. His solo work always feels a little more delicate, a little airier- more Canadian- than his New Pornographers work. The instrumentation is less aggressive, less rocking. It's terrific autumn music.

This is a pretty consistent album, it's hard to point to favorites, because it's all pretty good. "The Heartbreak Rides" really grew on me- it simmers softly, tenderly, and then eventually breaks into some fine instrumental flourishes. "Like a Hitman, Like a Dancer" is nice and tightly wound, crisp acoustic guitar and rhythm. "Prophets" is a really good one, very pretty and quickish. I could see it working as a New Pornographers song, which is the highest compliment I would give. After that strong series, the next few songs are a little less engaging, then it picks up again in the final third of the album. "Changeling" is a good one, I liked it instantly, but it might have an expiration date… I already find myself liking it a little less than my other faves. "Elemental" is good. "Young Atlantis" is hard to describe, it's really really good. He draws some really beautiful instruments, sets a mood of pure Discovery with that song. And I like the closer, "All of My Days and All of My Days Off." It's got a good anthemic vibe.

Altogether I admired the consistency and I liked this album, but I think I liked The Slow Wonder, his first work, more. I just love some of the highs he hits with more powerful instrumentation, in his first album. Every song here is charmingly structured, but I can’t love any of them the way I love “On the Table” or “Miracle Drug.”