I've been streaming the album today after doing the "Buy Early Get Now" promotion. I think this one is going to get mixed reviews. It's not as peppy or up tempo as the previous albums, but on the flip side, it's a little more emotional and introspective, and dare I say, a grower. Anyway, as big a fan as I am of TNP, they would have to pretty much record an open mic for me to hate anything they do. Verdict? Get it!

Hmmm. I like some of their more emotional songs, like "The Bleeding Heart Show", so I'm looking forward to this. Plus, they already covered the up-tempo power-pop music with "Mass Romantic". I'm glad for the change!

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Originally posted by BContrat:
Hmmm. I like some of their more emotional songs, like "The Bleeding Heart Show", so I'm looking forward to this. Plus, they already covered the up-tempo power-pop music with "Mass Romantic". I'm glad for the change!

You will like this. Trust me. After my second listen, and on decent pair of speakers, I'm prepared to say this album will not take a back seat to the previous ones. Maybe the name "Challengers" has more meaning than I thought.

i love them. I saw them live and it made me love them even more! when is this album coming out? and is neko on a lot of it?

I've given it one listen, and I have to say it's not immediately appealing, but none of their albums hit me immediately, after all.

"Mutiny, I Promise You" is probably the closest to what everyone wants from them, but songs like "Go Places," "Myriad Harbor," and "Adventures in Solitude" are all quite good. I'm probably going to learn to love this in time.

BContrat, have you heard the Pitchfork mp3? It's the first track and quite good.

sh6ne - There are some good Neko songs, without a doubt, but the big surprise is the other girl singer. She sounds gorgeous.

I like it - it's a little less upbeat, but I've listened to it a few times and it's definitely not bad. Compared to Twin Cinema, it's not as good - but it's at least on par with the first two.

And Dan Bejar's tracks are my favorites, I love the way the guitar licks come in on Myriad Harbour and Entering White Cecilia.

Also, it reminds me of Fleetwood Mac. And that's not necessarily a bad thing - but I do expect it to get mixed reviews.

Ahh thanks Chamberk The first song is really good, but is there any other type of song (other than good, I mean) that The New Pornographers could make?!

OK. Forget for a moment that they're a super-duper-group. Forget that they're even a famous band of any title. Imagine wandering into any anonymous dirt-road saloon somewhere in the beautiful rural expanses of America and THIS band is playing THIS music. And then there's the moment you find out that these are all originals. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure how much of good time this music is, in reality.

This is really great. It is nice and quiet, but as with their other records, catchy as could be.
The New Pornographers are really great.

I just downloaded the first song, My Rights Versus Yours from the Matador website and had great hope for it after reading it described as: "My Rights Vs. Yours," is almost a cross between that album's beloved "Use It" and "The Bleeding Heart Show". on the Buy Early, Get Now website Use It and The Bleeding Heart Show are my two favorite TNP songs and Use It is in my top 10 songs ever list.

It doesn't disappoint! It is definately more The Bleeding Heart Show than Use It but this isn't a bad thing, to me it has a real 60's vibe to it, I have very high hopes for Challengers.

! Where's the stream?

Haven't seen a stream, other than the one through their webpage, but you have to pre-order the album to get the stream. However, its leaked, so its easy to find.

As for the album, I think its great. Right up there with their other three albums which is saying a lot. I'm not minding the slower pace either. The songs and hooks are just as strong. Also, all three of the Dan Bejar songs are among the best on the album.

If the Hopster hasn't found a stream yet then there definitely isn't one, then again, the album isn't due out for more than a month!

Either way, I am really looking forward to this one. I have liked all three of their previous albums quite a bunch and this one looks sweet.

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Also, all three of the Dan Bejar songs are among the best on the album.

I agree completely, but you CANNOT underestimate what Newman is to that band. You can tire of it all you want, but strangely, it's more essential to a New Pornos album than anything else. You know what I mean.

Thus far I've been pretty disappointed in the new album. It's kind of boring, I'm afraid.

I loved Twin Cinema and the Electric Version, but this one is just kind of 'blah.'

The best songs on the album are definitely the Destroyer songs though.

I can't get enough of this. I'm currently listening to Challengers, My Rights Versus Yours, Go Places, All The Old Showstoppers, and All Of The Things That Go To Make Heaven And Earth over and over.

Loving this album. Every bit as good as their prior. I anticipate the usual p4k backlash (Twin Cinemas got a 9.0), but I think this album is every bit as strong, and a bit more eccentric. It is AC Newman's album more than it is Dan Bejar's. The women, however, are wonderful. I've listened 5 or 6 times. I'm just sorry I can't put it on my iPod yet.

I consider the New Pornographers triad flawless, but this is something. Oh my, oh my. Now, I'm not saying that Pitchfork is going to rate this highly (I'm expecting some backlash too), but I give it a 9.7. Definitely top album of the year.

I'll give Pitchfork the benefit of the doubt and think that they'll give it repeated listens and let it sink in like it has with us. I'm anticipating an 8.5+ review.