If the accusation leveled at the new A.C. Newman album is that it’s ‘dad rock’, then Shut Down The Streets is guilty as charged. But this is hardly an unexpected turn of events. Newman’s band, The New Pornographers, were always more Brady Bunch than Brat Pack, and Newman was more likely to have a cup of tea and watch telly than throw it out of a hotel window.
Another reason that ‘dad rock’ seems an appropriate (albeit annoying, so I’ll stop) term for Newman’s album is that he has become a dad recently. Just like the new Martha Wainwright record, Shut Down The Streets comes to terms with middle age by way of the birth of a child and the death of a parent. Newman pays tribute to his mother on the sweet final song They Should Have Shut Down All The Streets, while Strings paves the way for the next generation with its mantra “We’ve been waiting for you.”
Even the more rowdy New Pornographers crew have taken a breezy, introspective turn since Challengers, so the path to a more reflective solo album for Newman feels completely natural. Power pop fans will at least be appeased with the bouncy Encyclopedia Of Classic Takedowns, with reliably awesome Neko Case on hand for backing vocals. There’s the usual awkwardly out-of-touch fatherly advice like “There’s money in new wave”. And, once again, it’s a quality record from A.C. Newman that rewards on repeated listens. Now, how about a nice cup of tea?
BY CHRIS GIRDLER
Best track: Do Your Own Time
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: The Tarnished Gold BEACHWOOD SPARKS, Together THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS
In A Word: Mildlife
