Really, please, someone tell if there's a better pure pop-rock song. Ever.

It never gets old, but more than that its energy keeps on building for its entire duration until it just about induces endorphin overload. I firmly believe a book could and should be written about the craft and magic of this song.

I think some of the Jackson 5's material has this same quality, but I don't know how it holds up after listening to the same song 5 times in a row - as I did today w/ "Occupant". "MMMBop" comes close the first time through, but you're tired of it after 2 listens.

So yeah. Talk about why this song is so great. Or tell me where I can find something better.

better than anything Ted Leo will ever do.

TAKE THAT HAQ!

KPH

my ex girlfriend loves this song.
sigh.

I dunno. I like elements of the song. The beginning of the chorus has a mighty hook, but then it peters out into the anti-climactic ooo-ooo-oooh part and I can't help but think Newman didn't have the time or the inclination to finish the thing. So where the chorus should soar it just sorta thuds to the ground - and subsequently I find with each repeated play I like the song a little less.

And in the Ted Leo comparison (wherever that came from), I give the edge, the lip, the brim, and the whole platter to Leo.

With the progression/reversion that Teddy Leo seems to be going through, I'll have to stick w/ Mr. Newman and Mr. Bejar as the ones with more promise/better songs...

Then again, "Me and Mia" and "Timourous Me" are up there with "Letter"... I probably won't make up my mind until the New "New" comes out this year...

Sidenote: Anyone else heard "Graceland" off the Matador Comp? That track is off the rails....

swiateck, YOU ARE SO RIGHT

i remember listening to this song about 10 times a day during two weeks when it came out years ago. this song is pop-perfection and thinking of it, i'm gonna play it on my radio show tonight to spread pop genius.

Love this song

It is a damn near perfect song.

Is there much out there in the way of a release date or any other info on this? I'm like a crackhead for this band. I'm like a fat man, and their notes are pies.

That's interesting, because after the first line my immediate thought was "I Want You Back" by the Jackson 5.

where have all sensations gone, jewels.

Kinda of my take as well. "Mass Romantic" is in my top 10 albums of the 00's but I like about 5-6 songs better than "Letter..". Something about the chorus keeps it from being merely a good song to a great one for me.


I just got a copy of Ted Leo's "Shake the Sheets" and I can't believe I have slept on this guy so long.

They're finishing it up at JC/DC right now, so I'm guessing first part of the year - probably a May/June thing.

...and, for clarification, I like the Bejar tracks on "Mass" the best, but "Letter" was the song that grabbed my attention...

it's too sweet for me. It's like filling my ears with maple syrup. yugh.

Can I please take credit for writing this? Radcliffe + FT = 2 Men, 1 Mind. Exactly how I feel about that NP song. Exactly how I feel about Leo. I do really like NP, though. But bag on Ted and incur my wrath.

(in reference to "Stylus top albums thread") I swear! I wasnt bagging on Ted! I just like NP better! Don't beat me FT!

By my calculations, that's almost 13 feet of man wrapped around just enough grey matter to fill a dixie cup. With those sorta stats, we could be president one day.

I see the plot of a hilarious movie, where te main character strongly resembles Phil Hartman's take on Frankenstein.

sigh.

It's been done.

This might be my LEAST favorite NP song. It grates on my nerves for some reason - the vocals, the do do dos, the freakoutish jangly bit at the end...

I really like this song too. I'm going to listen to it tonight.

mass romantic is better

I do stomp throughout the house randomly shouting "BREAD GOOD!!!," so you're really not far off in your assessment, <>D.

yeah i like "Mass Romantic" (the title/opening track) better. it's got a little more movement and as far as PURE pop/rock goes it's funner on the ears. also, the shift at the end is magnificent, just like, um, all those other cool songs that shift gears near the end...


AC Newman solo = good
Fancey solo = good
Neko Case solo = good

New Pornographers = good good triple good

bort

Well, your math is sound, I'll agree with you on that point. When they were touring in '03 I don't think I've looked forward to a show more in years. Took the day off work just so nothing could "pop up" and keep me late. And man, did those Canucks deliver. My only gripe is Bejar doesn't tour, so they couldn't do "Chump Change," which is my second-fave NP tune.
If this next record continues the streak, they knock The Replacements out of my all-time top five.