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A.C. Newman - The Slow Wonder

Rating

RIYL

-

Label

Matador

Tracklist

1. Miracle Drug
2. Drink to Me, Babe, Then
3. On the Table
4. Most of Us Prizefighters
5. The Battle for Straight Time
6. Secretarial
7. Come Crash
8. Better Than Most
9. The Cloud Prayer
10. The Town Halo
11. 35 in the Shade

A.C. Newman isn't a real person, but another project from the unstoppable Carl Newman, who in his spare time fronts Zumpano and The New Pornagraphers. His debut album arrives via Matador, the same label that brought the Pornagrapher's newest masterpiece, Electric Version. And well, anyone who is familiar with the material from that album will not be surprised when they hear very similar sounds coming out of The Slow Wonder.

Although it's a tad predictable, The Slow Wonder is absolutely terrific. It features everything loveable about The New Pornagraphers (minus Neko Case) and everything amazing about Zumpano. It's an eclectic mix of psychadelic hippie pop, indie rock, and pure pop mayhem. Tracks like "On the Table" and "Miracle Drug" are beautiful songs that could be in the background of a 60s family movie, but aren't really corny about it. They're heartfelt tunes, and Sara Wheeler (Neko Case's replacement) fits the bill quite well. Her vocals are a welcome addition of pop and melody to an already overly-melodic set of songs.

Each song on this disc is a highlight -- there's not a bad apple in sight. Carl Newman has really done it again (this man is unstoppable!). This is definitely something to listen to if you enjoy basically anything on Merge, Sub Pop, Matador, or Kindercore Records. That's a wide range, yes, but that's because this album will appeal and find a home with a lot of different types of fans. Highly recommended.

--Old Man McGee