Best Records of 2005: #1 The New Pornographers - 'Twin Cinema'

I can without hesitation declare Twin Cinema the full realization of The New Pornographers’ potential. The added dynamic of downbeat melodies and slower tempos has helped the collective take full advantage of the group’s primary talents (Carl Newman, Dan Bejar and Neko Case). Few albums this year are both instant crowd pleasers and significant artistic achievements. “The Bleeding Heart Show,” easily the song of the year, alone justifies the purchase price but the other 13 tracks give it a run for its money. Often considered a side project, the principal players in the Pornographers actually run the risk of overshadowing their other considerable career achievements (well, okay, not Neko). As indie rock continues to drift toward emo nonsense and navel-gazing freakfolk, The New Pornographers provide the shining exception to that trend and demonstrate that “pop” and “art” can and should sit comfortably next to one another.