Pink Bubblegum Snapping In My Ear

A.C. Newman “The Town Halo” – This is taken from The Slow Wonder, which is essentially a solo album for Carl Newman, if you (quite reasonably) think of The New Pornographers as being his main gig in spite of that band’s “supergroup” origins. The Slow Wonder is a pretty accurate title for the record – most of the record is low key, and even the catchiest tunes from this set seem like “growers” compared to the bright and shiny joycore pop of Newman’s New Pornographers compositions. There isn’t anything on the record which I dislike, but on some of the quieter numbers I find myself wondering if I’d even bother giving the song a second listen if it wasn’t by the guy who wrote “The Laws Have Changed” and “It’s Only Divine Right.”

I’m not sure if “mellow strum-pop” is the right mode for Newman – it’s a little like seeing an attractive friend wear an outfit that doesn’t flatter their looks. You just want to take them aside and say “no, no honey, that top is all wrong for you!” Newman is at his best when he’s piling multiple hooks on top of an up-tempo track, and though he does indulge in this on a few of the songs (“The Town Halo,” “Secretarial”) The Slow Wonder generally comes off as being reduced-hook New Pornographers Lite. (Buy it directly from the label.)

Mixel Pixel “Pink Shirts” – Built on a bed of simple drum machine presets and lit only by the lcd glow of cheap keyboards, this song glides along with a grace which belies its modest DIY construction. Whereas lesser indie groups play up the obsolescence of 80s keyboards for cheap kitsch, Mixel Pixel clearly works hard to get the best sound from their equipment, as if to prove that good pop can still be made on this chintzy old gear. The semi-goth/New Romantic vocals doesn’t hurt, either. (Buy it directly from the artist.)