(Indie Pop) A.C. Newman (The New Pornographers) - Shut Down the Streets - 2012, MP3, 320 kbps

A.C. Newman may best be known as the leader of The New Pornographers, but he has also made two much-loved solo albums. Shut Down the Streets show a more personal and intimate side to Carl’s songwriting, and on this new one, recorded in Woodstock in Upstate New York, he is joined by long time colleague Neko Case to make one of his most gorgeous, wide-ranging records yet.
Inspired by classic ‘70s folk and pop songwriters ranging from Gerry Rafferty to “Daylight Katy”- period Gordon Lightfoot, Newman harnesses lush sonics and sweeping string and synth backgrounds that are miles away from his main band’s pulsating pop-punk. His existing audience will love it, but it will also appeal to fans of other successful modern singer/songwriters from James Mercer to Ben Gibbard to Robin Pecknold.
Unlike some of those stars, Newman continues a penchant for lyrical wit, best heard in tracks like the video and radio single “Encylopedia of Classic Takedowns” and the wistful “Money In New Wave.” The album as a whole, however, is brutally honest, open and affecting in a way Newman has rarely been in the past.