Despite much blogosphere chatter about
Challengers being dour and lacking the energy of past efforts, the latest from the New Pornographers is hardly a snooze. A better suggestion might be taking a bit more time to embrace an album whose charms are no less abundant, just more subtly displayed. Sure, maturity always feels like code for "less enjoyable", but the gentle regret and sadness of
Challengers is indeed a mature turn. In fact, the 'challenge' of which the band speaks could easily be toward its audience: come bearing patience, and you'll leave with beauty.
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