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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The debut of this Vancouver indie supergroup led by Zumpano's Carl Newman sent critics scrambling to the early '80s and mid '60s for power-pop forebears, and it sent everyone else bouncing down the street and shouting out car windows. In a happily urgent record full of tight harmonies and cryptic storytelling, the high point undeniably remains the great single "Letter from an Occupant," which rides Neko Case's country-crooner voice nearly off the rails. --Tom Nissley
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
Put aside for the moment that "Mass Romantic", "The Slow Descent into Alcoholism" and, most importantly, "Letter From an Occupant" are three of the greatest pop songs ever written, with hooks so catchy you'll be singing them all day (week?month?year?) long. Temporarily ignore that this is a breakthrough performance by Neko Case, whose pipes rival those of any singer in country or rock (especially on "Occupant," which, in a paralell universe I wished I inhabited, has been #1 on the charts for six months).
No, what really sticks out about this record is that, having listened to it numerous times now, I can't remember ever hearing an album with this much enthusiasm, that sounded like it was as much fun to record as it is to listen to. I mean, in every song these guys are tripping over each other in a rush to get to the chorus, like it's the only thing that'll save their lives. Like, um, music mattered. If it matters to you, then this gem comes with the highest of recommendations.
26 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By sask
Format:Audio CD
The New Pornographers, a collective of indie artists from Vancouver, have created an album that's so catchy, so sugary-sweet that it leaves you with a sugar rush while overflowing like sodapop fizz. Every single song on Mass Romantic possesses hooks that stay in your head forever.
The songs, written by Zumpano's Carl Newman and Destroyer's Dan Bejar, contain enigmatic, clever lyrics ("Hope grows greener than grass stains") and lift styles from bands like Devo, The Cars, the Go-Go's, The Beatles (of course), Elvis Costello & The Attractions, and the Beach Boys; at one point you even hear Supertramp's influence. If a band can steal a hook from Supertramp, the worst band in rock history, and make it sound good, you know you have something special in your hands.
Four of the band's members share vocal duties, but it's Neko Case who steals the show. On the title track, and especially the glorious 'Letter From An Occupant', Case, who moonlights as a terrific country singer, joyously belts out the tunes a la Belinda Carlisle. 'Letter From An Occupant' could very well be the best song I've heard this year. During the bridge two minutes into the song (where they sing "the song, the song that's shakin' me"), you feel it will just peter out and fade out, but the band decides to prolong the fun a bit more and repeats the chorus, complete with its 'woo-ooh' harmony vocals, for another minute. Absolutely perfect. The repeat button on your cd player was made for songs like this.
Every song is great, but other standouts are 'The Fake Headlines', the humourously self-deprecating 'The Slow Descent Into Alcoholism', and the gleeful 'The Body Says No'.
Lately Canada has been producing musical bores that are either pretentious, soul-gushing female Lilith Fair-types or dull, sound-alike alterna-bands that play the same outdated tuneless grungy sludge. The New Pornographers show there's hope for Canadian music, and this one-off project is too great to yield only one album. here's hoping we'll hear more from them in the years to come.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By joey
Format:Audio CD
First,you'll be captivated by Neko's vocals in "Mass Romantic" and "Letter from an Occupant." Then you'll fall for other high energy songs like "The Body says no" and "The Slow descent into Alcoholism." Eventually you'll realize that the relatively unorthodox tunes like "Execution day" and "The Mary Martin Show" are your favorites.
With over-the-top layering the Mass Romantic Album will remind you of some old perky Brit-pop, but at the same time it is so original and flavorful that your musical palate will be tickled. If you ever enjoyed pop rock, you will be dazzled by this joyous romp from the New Pornographers. Easily one of the best albums of the past few years.
With over-the-top layering the Mass Romantic Album will remind you of some old perky Brit-pop, but at the same time it is so original and flavorful that your musical palate will be tickled. If you ever enjoyed pop rock, you will be dazzled by this joyous romp from the New Pornographers. Easily one of the best albums of the past few years.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally got it
My freshman year of college I had a radio show with this kid who never showed up. Anyways, during the only show we ever did together, he told me to check out the New Pornographers. Read more
Published on October 31, 2010 by Daniel Rice
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Enjoyable!
I've always lumped this band into those indie bands (the ones you never hear on the radio,but always "the next best thing" in rolling stone). Read more
Published on January 25, 2010 by RJ
4.0 out of 5 stars
Really good album
I had heard some of the songs before but the ones that I hadn't heard were just as good. Overall excellent.
Published on May 14, 2009 by theblueroan
5.0 out of 5 stars
unf@#* believeable
this is a very catchie album... anyone who thinks indie music isn't fun they are dumb.... this whole album is a pleasure to listen to. it puts a smile on my face every time!
Published on January 26, 2009 by Tillman E. Vance
3.0 out of 5 stars
(three and half stars) the debut album from a really great band.
As of this review, "The New Pornographers" is the most recent band I've fallen in love with. After I couldn't take "Twin Cinema" out of my cd player, I purchased their other three... Read more
Published on June 1, 2008 by trainreader
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Introduction from Classic Rock
For the past five years, all I listened to was classic rock, and then for a moment, classical. So, as you can imagine, all that came from The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The... Read more
Published on May 26, 2008 by Josh Lindsay
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Band's Seminal Release
I love power pop and great song writing with something unique in its overall sound quality. That is a lot to ask of pop music these days. Read more
Published on March 25, 2008 by Michael J. White
5.0 out of 5 stars
Power pop perfection
The indie scene's version of ultimate power pop, this Canadian "supergroup" (quotes added since that label really doesn't make much sense when the artists are all unknown away from... Read more
Published on September 11, 2007 by Matthew T. Medlock
3.0 out of 5 stars
Muddled at times, but still shows talent
"Mass Romantic" took a while to grow on me, and frankly, not all of the songs ever completely won me over. The first few tunes, mind you, are very promising. Read more
Published on May 29, 2007 by Sal Nudo
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Real Upbeat Indie Album
This is the my first New Pornographers album and so far I am loving it. It's got the usual indie sort of sound but it's very upbeat and has great energy.
Published on May 22, 2007 by Josh
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