A.C. Newman

You might know AC Newman as Carl Newman, the spry redheaded leader of the New Pornographers. That band put Newman's brilliant songs in the hands of a varied crew of insanely talented pals; however, with his breaking out solo record The Slow Wonder, Newman's own talents take center stage, showcasing him as a classic, yet eccentric and witty songwriter. AC Newman had a thrilling and prosperous life prior to 1992, but felt he needed more when he joined the Vancouver BC pop/rock act Zumpano. They recorded two low profile albums for Sub Pop Records in 1995 and 1996 before essentially dropping out of music circles. Newman resurfaced in 2000 with the New Pornographers, placing two highly regarded albums in the indie scene. Now, for the first time, Newman's out on his own, and the results are predictably awesome. His debut, The Slow Wonder, has a beautifully open and uplifting feel, even as its lyrics often subvert the sunny vibe. Musically, the melodies and arrangements take unexpected detours which give the songs more depth with each listen. In contrast to the nonstop steamroll of the New Pornographers anthems, The Slow Wonder is full of space and surprise: both sentimental and quirky. The Slow Wonder promises to be 34 minutes of the best power pop you've heard, an incredible breath of fresh air in a hostile era for genuine hand-crafted music.