Jenny hates Challengers
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This will undoubtedly get me into trouble, but I have nothing else to write about at the moment, so here goes...I reviewed the New Pornographers album Challengers last week and found it excruciatingly dull. I don't actually like writing negative reviews, whatever people think. This was assigned, because Challengers is a huge indie record and people want to read about it. They probably don't want to read that it's boring, but what can you do? Anyway, here's my review...I'm ducking under the desk now. The history of supergroups is a long one – and surprisingly devoid of illustrious moments. When pressed, most people will cite CSNY and Cream as high points, alongside crushing wastes of talent (Traveling Wilburys) and soulless grabs for market share (Asia, Zwan, ad infinitum). There are any number of theories about why star-studded ensembles fall short of expectations. Maybe there's a collaborative averaging effect that dumbs anyone's talent down in a group setting. Or perhaps people don't join supergroups unless they're past their peak or short on inspiration. Sometimes it's obviously a cynical ploy for press and record sales. In other cases, you wonder whether people are saving their best efforts for solo projects. In still others, it appears that everyone's just having a bad week. Who knows? Who cares? The question comes up because the most recent New Pornographers' record is simply not as good as the solo work of its members, particularly Carl Newman, Daniel Bejar and Neko Case. It is perfectly pleasant, mildly intelligent pop, perhaps a cut above the vast majority of songs with "la la la" choruses. Yet it has none of the elegant non sequitur of Bejar's best work, nor the barbed hookiness of Newman's, nor even the sheer musical sensuality of Case on her own. It is kind of dull. It feels ultra safe. Bejar, for instance, doesn't say "fuck" even once in the whole record. (Though he does imply it, at least, in "Entering White Cecilia.”) (More here: http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/3747)
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