Sep. 10, 2008 - Issue #673: Sex in the City 2008
New Sounds - The Awkward Stage
Slimming Mirrors, Flattering Lights
(Mint Records)
It’s not hard to understand why Shane Nelken, the driving force behind Vancouver’s Awkward Stage, has a bit of history with New Pornographer AC Newman. Like Newman, Nelken is a pop polymath, equally comfortable no matter what kind of catchy, melodic skin he pulls on. Slimming Mirrors sees him doing anthemic pop-rock (“Anime Eyes”), delicate cabaret pop (“True Love on Three With Feeling”) and even sparse little delicacies (“The Sun Goes Down on Girlsville”). Nelken’s other great strength is his ability to draw out the emotions of life’s regrets, big and little, serving as the thematic thread that ties his pop gallivanting together. V
New comments for this entry have been turned off and any existing ones are hidden. We apologize for any inconvenience.
