Former Site Of, The

Nearly 25 years after their debut, The New Pornographers return with their 10th studio album. The band’s line-up continues to feature their core players led by AC Newman and Neko Case — but minus Dan Bejar who left 10 years ago to focus on his solo project (Destroyer). This album is full of fascinating stories. A woman trapped on a cruise ship. A final drink with a dying friend. A preacher who watches his town float away in a flood. The music blends bright synth with guitar-driven rock — topped by distinctive, often harmonized vocals shared by Newman, Case and others. RIYL: Destroyer (Dan Bejar), The Decemberists, The Hold Steady, The Shins.
— Francis

Recommended: 6, 4, 9, 1, 2, 10. FCC on Track 11

1. (4:11) Great Princess Story — Floats over juddering, arpeggiated synths. Layers of guitar and chime-y notes as well. Pounding drums. Features a stunning duet between Newman and Case. ****
2. (4:10) Pure Sticker Shock — Pure synthpop. A jaunty stroll with a confident beat. Lyrics explore the “sticker shock” we might feel should we discover that we value ourselves higher than the ‘market’ might. ****
3. (3:50) Ballad Of The Last Payphone — An ode to how technology marches on, as the new replaces the old with minimal fanfare. Straight-ahead simple rock with female backing vocals playing off Newman’s lead.
4. (4:54) Spooky Action — Guitar-driven tune with a nice shuffle to it. Almost island-like in its rhythm. Synth in the breaks. Once again, Newman on the lead with warm harmonies from Case and Kathryn Calder. ****
5. (3:40) Wish You Could See Me I’m Killing It — Heartbeat rhythm. Sparse arrangement with guitar, lonesome synth and plaintive vocals.
6. (3:46) Votive — Starts gently with twinkling synths and breathy vocals. Then, it kicks into gear with edgy guitar licks and a driving beat. ****
7. (1:49) Wine Remembers The Water — Insistent, pulsing synth rhythm with swirling tones surrounding stop-and-go vocals in this short track.
8. (3:48) Calligraphy — Guitar-based, with almost an R&B groove. Funky vocals and nice guitar licks in the breaks.
9. (4:35) Bonus Mai Tais (Clean Edit) — Tells the story of visiting a friend with cancer. The somber subject is counterbalanced by the bright synthpop arrangement highlighted by Newman’s and Case’s harmonized vocals. ****
10. (6:38) The Former Site Of — A gorgeous, sprawling cinematic closer. Builds to feature tumbling drums. Roaring guitars and synths. Powerful lead vocals with harmonized backing. ***
11. (4:35) Bonus Mai Tais (Explicit) — FCC, mild: “Knowing dick all about such things” — Unedited version of track 9.