CD of The Week

Ostensibly a supergroup of Canadian indie lifers (plus one American, Neko Case, but she is from Washington state, which might as well be Canada), The New Pornographers have gradually shifted from a power-pop all-star team on excellent albums like Mass Romantic and Twin Cinema to a more bittersweet vehicle for the observations and emotions of frontman/primary songwriter A.C. Newman. Over the last 25 years, original members have gradually departed and the albums have become more intimate. The Former Site Of feels like the biggest step yet in this direction, as the ten songs comprise a largely quiet and melancholy set that may lack anthems but contains plenty of poignancy.

The opening track, “Great Princess Story,” sets the tone with a persistent, but mellow synth loop pulsating behind Newman’s hushed words about living in the current moment as “a sailor on this ship of doom” where the “jokes get darker as all the nights get longer.” All the while, the backup harmonies from Case (who sadly lacks a solo showcase this time around) and Kathryn Calder provide lovely texture that adds emotional impact on this song and many others on the album. Another highlight is “Spooky Action,” which features a mysterious narrative and pretty interplay between the largely acoustic instrumentation and assorted digital touches. The song possesses a beguiling quality that grows over multiple listens, even if the hook remains fairly subtle.

The propulsive energy of The New Pornographers’ previous releases makes a brief cameo on “Votive” with a powerful drum part from fill-in drummer Charley Drayton effectively accompanying angular guitar work and anxious lyrics. The tempo slows down and the volume decreases for “Bonus Mai Tais” and the album-closing title track, which admirably deal with personal subject matter but rely on texture more than melody to somewhat flat ends.

When looking at the album cover, The Former Site Of and The New Pornographers occupy the same line, forming one sentence. This seems like a knowing reference to the idea that the album is a deliberate break from the exuberance that has made the band beloved for decades. However, A.C. Newman and company have trended towards the downcast for a while, which is perhaps natural with aging, but also indicative of how desperate things feel politically and societally (even if Canada seems like a utopia in comparison to the U.S.) right now. Ultimately, the album is thoughtful and compelling in its own right, even though the laws (and tempos) have changed.

The New Pornographers play The Keswick Theatre on Friday, April 24th.