New Pornographers continue to deliver some of the most compelling pop music out there, richly textured around classic hooks and effervescent human chemistry. While it is still AC Newman's outfit, Dan Bejar steps up to provide three great tracks, most notably "Myriad Harbour," a trip to Manhatten via the Velvet Underground (it's my kids' favorite song, just ahead of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer). Budding vocal icon Neko Case seems less present on this outing, leading just three wandering, mid tempo songs "Failsafe," "Go Places" and the title track, yet again the parts at work add up to more than the expected sum. This may not be the instant knock-out that was, but over time it has proved to be infinitely listenable and rewarding throughout.
