A supergroup in every sense of the word, The New Pornographers latest release, 'Together', is their most impressive and diverse record yet. The album is underpinned by A.C. Newman's superb songwriting, with his honest sentiment, moving lyricy and a knack for curious images set amidst the driving, mid-tempo guitar that made Newman's solo records 'The Slow Wonder' and 'Get Guilty' so listenable. The rest of the band aren't too bad, either. Neko Case's gorgeous harmonies, Kathryn Calder's pure vocals and Dan Bejar's (aka Destroyer) chugging, varied rhythms all feature prominently. Both musically virtuouso and with a knack for great melodies, the New Pornos have produced some of their best music yet, on 'Together'. Opener 'Moves' is a riff-driven guitar rocker with a catchy refrain, 'My Shepherd' (in my opinion, the album's highlight) a moving, rocky ballad, and the later, poppier tracks, with their synths and laid-back melodies, such as 'Valkyrie at the Roller Disco' and 'A Bite Out of My Bed' work as an excellent counterpoint to the album's heavier and more emotional offerings.
Though 'Together' is one of the best indie pop/rock albums of the last few years, it admittedly has one or two missteps. Whilst too many cooks don't seem to spoil the album's broth, there are one or two attempts at musical styles which don't come off. The girl-group backing vocals of 'Silver Jenny Dollar' and the antequated British-style folk of the Bejar-penned 'Daughters of Sorrow' being the prime examples. On the whole, though, 'Together' is a wonderful album, which brings welcome touches of alt-country, synth-pop and guitar-driven rock to an already very accomplished indie sound.