Normally when a bunch of already successful musicians form a so-called “supergroup,” the union yields one, maybe two records. Regardless of whether it’s Them Crooked Vultures or the Travelling Wilburys, those involved don’t tend to stick around. Canadian eight-piece the New Pornographers are a breed apart: Brill Bruisers is their sixth album together since forming in ‘99.
Hailed as a “celebration record” by the band’s main songwriter AC Newman, their first new material in four years is infused with an infectious optimism. Aided and abetted by the likes of Neko Case and Dan Bejar, Brill Bruisers is a loved-up collection of power pop that regularly hits the mark. ‘War On The East Coast’ is a sterling, Ziggy Stardust-inspired romp; the call and response based ‘Dancehall Domine’ is a mainstream hit in the making; and ‘Champions Of Red Wine’ has an intoxicating, ‘70s Eurovision song given an indie makeover vibe. While admittedly Brill Bruisers isn’t quite as strong as some of their earlier records (‘Born With A Sound’ and ‘Spidyr’ are a bit bland), it’s still a solid effort.