Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

Vancouver’s New Pornographers are one of indie-rock’s most revered bands—with good reason: gifted singer Neko Case and talented songwriters AC “Carl” Newman and Dan Bejar give the group an irresistible power-pop attack. The Pornos’ fifth album offers an embarrassment of riches, from the opener “The Moves” to the closing “We End Up Together,” both falsetto-laced, Beach Boys-inspired gems. In between, Neko’s siren voice sends shivers, while Carl and Dan keep the infectious melodies cranked up full.

Neko’s latest is a gem—self-produced and full of melodic charms and fairy-tale delights. “Bad Luck” is all soaring girl-group harmonies, while “Oracle of the Maritimes,” co-written with Laura Veirs, and “Gumball Blue,” one of two songs penned with New Pornographers bandmate Carl Newman, take listeners deep into the raven-haired siren’s rich, imaginative world.