| | New Pornographers Mass Romantic CD New Pornographers Discography of CDs
 (2 Customer Reviews)
It is easy to trace the influences of the New Pornographers. Ghosts of the Beatles, Big Star, T. Rex, David Bowie, and legions of underground power-pop bands all bubble up through the songs on MASS ROMANTIC, the Vancouver-based rock band's debut. Yet far from sounding derivative, or like a rehashed rock history lesson, MASS ROMANTIC is a minor pop masterpiece (in part due to how craftily these influences have been synthesized via the masterful songwriting on offer). From the opening blast of the title track to the closing chords of "Breakin' the Law," MASS ROMANTIC is non-stop aural pleasure.
Comprised of members from several other acclaimed indie bands, including Dan Bejar (Destroyer), Carl Newman (Zampuno), and Neko Case (whose solo country albums are also recommended), the New Pornographers ride high with fierce pop energy, lush harmonies, and songwriting that emphasizes irrepressible melodies. While on one hand it seems the band's sound--which fuses 1960s Beatles-esque smarts with '70s power-pop propulsion and '80s new wave edginess--is its strongest asset, the fact that the record has more hooks than a bait-and-tackle shop is what will keep listeners coming back for more. A true must-have gem.
The classic 2000 debut that introduced the band to the world, Mass Romantic has never been officially been released in the U.S. Now remastered. The band features Neko Case and Dan Bejar (Destroyer). Matador. 2003.
Personnel: Daniel Bejar, Carl Newman (vocals, Wurlitzer organ); Kurt Dahle (vocals, drums); Neko Case (vocals); Blaine Thurier (keyboards); Fisher Rose (drums).
Recording information: 2000.
Photographers: Shannon Oksanen; Bill Anderson .
Unknown Contributor Role: John Collins.
The New Pornographers: Carl Newman, Dan Bejar, Kurt Dahle, John Collins, Blaine Thurier.
Additional personnel: Neko Case.
Rolling Stone (3/1/01, p.54) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...A striking power-pop album, 40 staggeringly catchy minutes of 4-part harmonies and Wall Of Sound production, exploding with energy and joy..."
Spin (4/01, pp.156-58) - 8 out of 10 - "...Brains-across-the-dashboard power pop....A group experiment gone right - rock where the beat and the ideas come faster than you'd expect..."
Entertainment Weekly (2/23/01, p.162) - "...An insanely contagious concoction of new wave, Cheap Trick, and garage-glam pandemonium...a perfect pop album..." - Rating: A
Q (4/02, p.119) - 3 out of 5 stars - "...Charmingly poppy...and contagious..."
Uncut (2/01, p.90) - 4 stars out of 5 - "....A ferocious blend of riotous fun and epiphany perched on the edge of despair..."
Alternative Press (3/01, p.82) - 4 out of 5 - "...A masterful reproduction of underground power pop ca. 1979, complete with cheesy synths and slashing guitar leads..."
Magnet (12-1/02, p.57) - Included in Magnet's "20 Best Albums of 2001".
Magnet (4-5/01, pp.82,84) - "...A new wave-meets-Built To Spill opus....with epic, tempo-trading b-sections....there's no kitsch here and enough depth to convert even the most jaded anti-popster."
CMJ (1/22/01, p.4) - "...Brims with the band's capriciously eccentric new wave punk sound..."
No Depression (1-2/01, p.92) - "...Densely-made pop....[a] mix of brassy pop and Eurotrash glam....another promising entry on [Neko] Case's burgeoning musicla resume..."
NME (Magazine) (4/27/02, p.30) - 6 out of 10 - "...synths trade coy smooches, guitars wobble like sun-stroked XTC fans and harmonies soar like...balloons..." New Pornographers Mass Romantic Songs | 1. | Mass Romantic |
| 2. | Fake Headlines, The |
| 3. | Slow Descent into Alcoholism, The |
| 4. | Mystery Hours |
| 5. | Jackie |
| 6. | Letter from an Occupant |
| 7. | To Wild Homes |
| 8. | Body Says No, The |
| 9. | Execution Day |
| 10. | Centre for Holy Wars |
| 11. | Mary Martin Show, The |
| 12. | Breakin' the Law  |
|
Mass Romantic Music Review Average Rating: (4.5 out of 5 stars)   Exemplary pop-rock debut
The New Pornographers is one of my favorite indie rock bands, so read this review with that in mind. This is the last album I have heard of their current four, so I am not quite as forwards-and-backwards familiar with it as, say, "The Electric Version." But at least half of the songs on it have quickly become my favorite indie rock songs. Among these include the groovy and infectious "The Slow Descent into Alcoholism," new-wave and glam-influenced "Mystery Hours," and probably their most well-known song, "Letter from an Occupant." If you haven't heard this band before, I suggest listening to the songs "Chump Change" and "Sing Me Spanish Techno" (from other albums), but once you know you like them, this album has plenty to love.
Submitted by Stephen (Baltimore, MD, USA) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 1 of 1 found this helpful.
 Strong
I know there's bound to be always someone disliking some product but I think of this as a near classic. In Surfing the net for cd's it's easy to find excellent cd's but this to me is a little better. And it's inexpensive too so I recommend it.
Submitted by a reviewer (Florence Alabama)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
| Have you heard this album? |  |
Purchase Mass Romantic CD To buy, Click on price to add to cart | Neutral Milk Hotel In The Aeroplane Over The Sea CD (1998)
Mass Romantic album
 $12.19   
Neutral Milk Hotel leader Jeff Mangum is a popster who hears interstellar sounds as natural ingredients of his "pop." He was weaned with the inevitable four-track in his bedroom, schooled on a record collection stacked with ...
| | New Pornographers Electric Version CD (2003)
Mass Romantic CD music
$10.15
With alt-country chanteuse Neko Case periodically joining forces with members of Zumpano and Destroyer, the New Pornographers ply their trade as a sort of indie-rock supergroup. Their sophomore album ELECTRIC VERSION finds the sextet, (septet if you count secret member Dan Bejar), roaming the sunny slopes of power-popdom using chiming harmonies, cheesy keyboards, and punchy guitars as their guideposts. Jittery synths and hooting background vocals make "Chump Change" very Redd Kross-like, power chords and a thumping beat ...
| | Shins Chutes Too Narrow CD (2003)
Mass Romantic music CDs
$12.29
Recorded in James Mercer's Basement, Portland, Oregon and Avasti Studio, Seattle, Washington.
When the Shins bowled over music fans and critics alike in 2001 seemingly out of nowhere (but actually out of Albuquerque and years of playing together) with OH, INVERTED WORLD, their stunningly beautiful debut, the comparisons came pouring in. Scribes likened their insistent, melodic sound and James Mercer's hyper-literate, oblique but mellifluous lyrics to many mostly anachronistic, all deeply revered sources, including everything from the Beach Boys to Love.
The follow-up, CHUTES TOO NARROW, meets and often manages to exceed the tremendous, burgeoning buzz surrounding ...
| | Arcade Fire Funeral CD (2004)
Mass Romantic songs
$11.89
This Montreal ensemble's fiery debut is marked by surging guitars, soulful strings, driving drums, brilliant bass lines, and the quavering vocals of married couple Win Butler and Regine Chassagne. The group's song structures careen through a vast territory of musical and personal history, with lyrics warm with memories of childhood neighborhoods and deceased loved ones, resulting in an alternating current of joy and sadness.
Favorably ...
| | Neko Case Tigers Have Spoken CD (2004)
Mass Romantic album
$11.59
For 2004's THE TIGERS HAVE SPOKEN, her debut on the prestigious Anti label, alt-country singer/songwriter Neko Case forgoes a studio album in favor of a live outing. Those looking for the upbeat pop of Case's work with the New Pornographers won't find it here--this is straight-up twangy country rock that sticks closely to the sound of her previous records (BLACKLISTED and FURNACE ROOM LULLABY), and makes the most of the concert setting.
The focus here, as always, is on Case's powerful ...
| | New Pornographers Twin Cinema CD (2005)
Mass Romantic CD music
$10.15
| | Stefan Grossman Black Melodies On A Clear Afternoon CD (1975)
Mass Romantic music CDs
$14.45
| | Oppressed Fatal Blow/Dead & Buried CD (2000) (Import) Import; Canada
Mass Romantic songs
$17.09
| | Snog Remote Control CD (1997)
Mass Romantic album
$13.89
| | Trisha Pope Monkey CD (1996) (Import) Canada
Mass Romantic CD music
$15.85
| | Donny Osmond Singles CD (2003) (Import) Holland
Mass Romantic music CDs
$17.09
| | Home Grown Kings Of Pop CD (2002)
Mass Romantic songs
$9.75
| | PIVIRAMA Cosa Sembra CD (2005)
Mass Romantic album
$12.69
Now on my space: http://www.myspace.com/pivirama/They say about us: RADIO1RAI: " A BRILLIANT ROCK BAND ENRICHED BY THE VOCALS OF A ROCK LADY AND AN HYPNOTYC VIOLIN..." RARO!: "DREAMY ATMOSPHERES, A SPECIAL VOICE, AN EXPERIMENTAL ATTITUDE MAKES THIS BAND SURELY ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING ITALIAN BAND OF THE PAST FEW YEARS..." KRONIC: "A GREAT IMPACT SOUND... PIVIRAMA MOVE VERY WELL BETWEEN POP AND NOISE BALANCING MELODIES AND PSICHEDELIC OPENINGS ...A SURPRISING DEBUT ALBUM, MUCH ABOVE THE AVERAGE OF INDEPENDENT PRODUCTIONS". BIOGRAPHYPivirama was founded in 2000 by Raffaella, songwriter, guitarist and lead singer. The band has been appreciated for their particular mix of rock, pop and psicadalia, for their powerful music with dreamy and intense vocals. Their music could be simply pop, but the melodies of an acoustic violin mixed up with electric guitars and an unusual female voice, make the difference! In 2005 the band produced by itself the debut album COSA SEMBRA (english: What does it seem). 9 songs, Italian and English lyrics, which obtained very good reviews and has been considered one of the best Italian independent productions in the past few years."SE", last song of COSA SEMBRA has been chosen between thousands and makes part of the compilation 2rock issued by Radio1rai (first Italian radio). The band also produced by itself its first video for the song Lost.The songs from Pivirama debut album got radio airplay and has been appreciated world wide, from USA to Germany, Australia, France, Netherlands, thanx to canadian agency Radio Directx which has become very fond of Pivirama music. After tours and contests, after being invited to perform on important stages (such as Jack Daniel's ...
| | Steve Simon Hard To Breathe CD (2006)
Mass Romantic CD music
$11.39
| | Dubi & Slim When Worlds Collide CD (2007)
Mass Romantic music CDs
$5.99
|
|
|
7634 
Email a Friend
