New Pornographers’ ’07 album is a downer

‘Challengers’ does have a gem: its midtempo title track.

By JOHN BENSON

vindicator correspondent

When talking to New Pornographers visionary Carl Newman, the singer-guitarist-songwriter admits he’s looking forward to coming back to Northeast Ohio for a Tuesday show at the Beachland Ballroom.

However, upon further thought, Newman realizes he has no recollection of Cleveland.

“We played the Beachland Ballroom a couple of times, but it’s really hard to have any real memories of Cleveland because that area of Cleveland is such a no man’s land,” said Newman, calling from a tour stop in Columbus. “You walk out the front door and go looking for Cleveland and it’s not there.”

In some regards, that’s the same experience felt by New Pornographers fans during their first listen of the band’s latest effort “Challengers,” which was released last summer. Whereas the group’s 2005 album “Twin Cinema” was an energetic pop rock gem, the latest disc proved to be more of a downer with quieter and un-anthemic songs.

“You could see on ‘Twin Cinema,’ as much as it was pretty upbeat like most of our records before it, there were still songs like ‘These Are The Fables’ or ‘The Bones of an Idol’ or ‘Streets of Fire’ which were kind of quiet songs,” Newman said. “And at the time, people thought ‘Twin Cinema’ was a real departure for us. So in my head, I feel like it was all a logical progression. We just kept heading in the direction.”

He added, “I think when you’re writing songs, you just want to do stuff you haven’t done before, and so I find myself not wanting to rewrite [2000 debut album] ‘Mass Romantic’ and trying to do different things. For me, when I look at the record, my favorites songs are the quiet ones because it’s something I’ve never done before.”

Where the octet — Newman, Dan Bejar (not touring), Kathryn Calder, Neko Case, John Collins, Kurt Dahle, Todd Fancey and Blaine Thurier — truly does shine on “Challengers” is with its beguiling midtempo title track and the simple “Myriad Harbor.” The latter tune, which comes across like a lost Lou Reed gem from the ’70s, made quite an impression on Newman the first time he heard it.

“It’s a classic,” Newman said. “I remember when Dan sent me that demo, I thought it was awesome. I also think because it’s about New York, it has that kind of Lou Reed vaguely ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ [feel] that causes people to have those connections in their head.”

Newman added that “Myriad Harbor” and the majority of the down-tempo “Challengers” material has been reworked into more of an energetic and rocking approach within the act’s current live set, which also includes a cover of Electric Light Orchestra’s “Don’t Bring Me Down.”

In fact, Newman, who has already started looking ahead to the next New Pornographers album and feels the next disc will be more of a rocking affair, stresses any fans disappointed with “Challengers” and who are attending the band’s upcoming sold-out show will find plenty to smile about.

“Sure, if you love us, you’ll continue loving us,” Newman said. “And if you hate us, you might start loving us again.”