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The New Pornographers — Crash Years
Album: Together
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 844









Released: 2010
Length: 4:01
Plays (last 30 days): 0
The skirts go up
Before the war
Among the madding crowds
They're ruined like the rest of us ruined
Rest of us ruined
You are a living doll
Riding a circle tracks
Behind the walls of clocks
And you're ruined
Like the rest of us ruined
Rest of us ruined

Traffic was slow for the crash years
There's no other show like it 'round here
As a rule
Windows were rolled for the crash years
There's no other show like it 'round here
As a rule

Light a candle's end
You are a light turned low
And like the rest of us
You got those old eternity blues
Eternity blues
Your fingers raised, you're looking for the word
What you want is accident
Another drag
Spectacular view
What you can lose

Traffic was slow for the crash years
There's no other show like it 'round here
As a rule
Windows were closed in the crash years
Honey child you're not safe here
As a rule

Traffic was slow for the crash years
There's no other show like it 'round here
As a rule
Windows were rolled for the crash years
There's no other show like it 'round here
As a rule

The ruins were wild
The ruins were wild
Tonight will be an open mic
Comments (73)add comment
 h8rhater wrote:

What!?  The whistling is such a key part of the song.  I can always set my watch on RP for the people that will take pot shots at key elements in a song that differ from orthodoxy. 

Still set your watch, do you? And to RP pot shots! 
Good song... I understand it's supposed to have something to do with the 2009 housing crash, but the word salad in all of New Pornographers songs I do find a bit irritating.  Still though good memories of early RP.
 ziggytrix wrote:

My hobby: pretending "la la" and whistle verses happen when a band tries and tries but just can't come up with any lyrics they like.
 



In the chaos of a studio it's too easy to lose the bloody penny-whistle in the sofa 
OK - who can whistle??
 zinzarin wrote:
While I agree that this is likely the origin of their name, Carl has denied it in interviews.

I've read that in the meantime as well (maybe I hadn't looked at the Wiki article way back when).
 ziggytrix wrote:

My hobby: pretending "la la" and whistle verses happen when a band tries and tries but just can't come up with any lyrics they like.
 
 
Considering that Carl has admitted to frequently writing nonsense lyrics simply for their vocal sound/cadence, absent any concern for their meaning, your assessment seems unlikely, at least for this band.
I submit that this song is something for future pornographers to aspire to. 
 Dave_Mack wrote:

I think she's at her best blending with the rest of the Pornographers too. But I do like her by herself as well.

And yeah, the whistling costs them a couple points.
 
What!?  The whistling is such a key part of the song.  I can always set my watch on RP for the people that will take pot shots at key elements in a song that differ from orthodoxy. 
 Proclivities wrote:

That's allegedly true for the last verse of Otis Redding's "Dock Of The Bay"; it doesn't sound as if it's true for this tune, but you never know, right?
 

And yet it's legendary among whistle-verses!
 dwhayslett wrote:

"Music is the new pornography."
 
While I agree that this is likely the origin of their name, Carl has denied it in interviews.
 tonypf wrote:

It's weird: I really like Neko singing with this group; solo, not so much.

 
I think she's at her best blending with the rest of the Pornographers too. But I do like her by herself as well.

And yeah, the whistling costs them a couple points.
 pinto wrote:

I'm not familiar with their music but if this song is an indication of their body of work I would think that their name is a bit too misleading for what a first-time listener might expect to hear.

 
"Music is the new pornography."  Actually I think Bill mentioned that once, which is why it's stuck in my head.
 guthrieandme wrote:
I never get tired of New Pornographers! 

 
I'm not familiar with their music but if this song is an indication of their body of work I would think that their name is a bit too misleading for what a first-time listener might expect to hear.
 ziggytrix wrote:

My hobby: pretending "la la" and whistle verses happen when a band tries and tries but just can't come up with any lyrics they like.

 
That's allegedly true for the last verse of Otis Redding's "Dock Of The Bay"; it doesn't sound as if it's true for this tune, but you never know, right?
 ziggytrix wrote:

My hobby: pretending "la la" and whistle verses happen when a band tries and tries but just can't come up with any lyrics they like.

 
That's allegedly true for the whistled last verse of Otis Redding's "Dock Of The Bay"; it doesn't sound as if it's true for this tune, but you never know, right?
Damnit Bill, I'm trying to work here and you roll out a string of 8s and 9s. Player some filler so I don't get canned...
 handyrae wrote:

I'm sure there's an exception to that rule, but this isn't it.

 
The exceptions are for Leon Redbone.
How about music from the Tragically Hip, another underappreciated Canadian group. I like the New Pornographers. 
I never get tired of New Pornographers! 
 iam_overlord wrote:
Any song with whistling in it will incur a 2-point penalty.
 
Excepting any song with Neko Case, which adds two points, thereby restoring its rating to a 9!
 iam_overlord wrote:
Any song with whistling in it will incur a 2-point penalty.

 
I'm sure there's an exception to that rule, but this isn't it.
 iam_overlord wrote:
Any song with whistling in it will incur a 2-point penalty.

 
My hobby: pretending "la la" and whistle verses happen when a band tries and tries but just can't come up with any lyrics they like.
 
Any song with whistling in it will incur a 2-point penalty.
 kingart wrote:
Neko singing that hook makes the song. The rest of it sounds like a hybrid of 15 other bands and tunes. I gotta find the lyrics.  

 
It's weird: I really like Neko singing with this group; solo, not so much.
 clive369 wrote:

  Ron Jeremy handles hammond organ, Jemma Jamieson gets to grips with woodwind. 

 
Peter North on skin flute. But then, with all this aging talent, the group would have to be renamed The Old Pornographers.

 
clive369 wrote:

  Ron Jeremy handles hammond organ, Jemma Jamieson gets to grips with woodwind. 

 



The skirts go up

Before the war

Among the madding crowds

They're ruined like the rest of us ruined

Rest of us ruined

You are a living doll

Riding a circle tracks

Behind the walls of clocks

And you ruined

Like the rest of us ruined

Rest of us ruined

 

Traffic was slow for the crash years

There's no other show like it 'round here

As a rule

Windows were rolled for the crash years

There's no other show like it 'round here

As a rule

 

Light a candle's end

You are a light turned low

And like the rest of us

You got those old eternity blues

Eternity blues

Your fingers raised, you're looking for the word

What you want is accident

Another drag

Spectacular view

What you can lose

 

Traffic was slow for the crash years

There's no other show like it 'round here

As a rule

Windows were closed in the crash years

Honey child you're not safe here

As a rule

 

Traffic was slow for the crash years

There's no other show like it 'round here

As a rule

Windows were rolled for the crash years

There's no other show like it 'round here

As a rule

 

The ruins were wild

The ruins were wild

Tonight will be an open mic


 Stingray wrote:

Who are in the band of the "Old Pornographers"?

John Holmes on fiddle, who else...?

 
  Ron Jeremy handles hammond organ, Jemma Jamieson gets to grips with woodwind. 
love!

...ok i could do without the whistling.
Neko singing that hook makes the song. The rest of it sounds like a hybrid of 15 other bands and tunes. I gotta find the lyrics.  

Who are in the band of the "Old Pornographers"?

John Holmes on fiddle, who else...?


Been waiting a long time to catch this on RP again.  Thanx.
niceeee..very niceeeeee{#Tongue}
Love Neko! Hate this band!
/this is an opinion and not meant as an order.
 Hannio wrote:


It does have that strident, Stalinist marching-toward-a-bright-future feel to it.
 

Uncle Joe and the kids love Neko Case!

Joseph Stalin with happy children; one is playing the violin

"Faster, Sasha! Make your fingers bleed!"  

i had to upgrade this one from 8 to nine, and i´m not that sure if i´ll have to go to 10 soon.
the point is: when i heard this for the first time i thought. "oh what a catchy song, this is pure fun!" but, unlike most songs which have these qualities, this one seems to grow every time you here it. which is a hard thing to do with a "pure-pop-nearly-bubblegum"-kind of song. great!
 ziggytrix wrote: 
I'm filing that one away for future use! 

 ziggytrix wrote: 
nice one zig 
I really enjoyed Challenges, but this one isn't really hitting the happy part of my ears.
 ziggytrix wrote: 

I just love it.
Love hearing Neko.  The whistling makes me think they were listening to P. Gabriel's "Games Without Frontiers" before going in to record this.
 ziggytrix wrote: 
that's awesome!

TDW followed by TNP! Nice!
Just too much of the whistling thing (I know its kinda trademark NewP..but can be too much of a"good" thing)

- aside from that, more good stuff from these guys....
 Johnny_Wave wrote:

These kinds of disclaimers always amuse me  — if you've got enough spare time to post comments on RP, how's it possible that the prospect of doing a simple Google search would suddenly seem to be overwhelmingly time consuming?   {#Stupid}

 
Here's how you answer that.



Like them more with every new release
but I can't figure out why, usually I don't like this kind of pop
{#Stupid}
 socalhol wrote:
blah — this is way too "shiny-happy-people" for me......  {#Wall}
 

It does have that strident, Stalinist marching-toward-a-bright-future feel to it.

I am a sucker for vocal harmony, especially when it reminds me of Petula Clark.  The whistling has to go though.
 fredriley wrote:
"The ruins are wild, tonight will be an open mike" - wtf? Nurse! My eardrops!
 
This comment trumps the song.
Sounds like The Archies.  Whistling? Seriously?  sucko-barfo-puke-o
Kind of silly, and not in a good way.
"The ruins are wild, tonight will be an open mike" - wtf? Nurse! My eardrops!
 Johnny_Wave wrote:

These kinds of disclaimers always amuse me  — if you've got enough spare time to post comments on RP, how's it possible that the prospect of doing a simple Google search would suddenly seem to be overwhelmingly time consuming?   {#Stupid}

 
Ha! Nicely done!
And, even though I love all the NP albums, they're eventually going to do a "Best Of" compilation that will blow the roof off.

 Stranglersfan wrote:
Good band, but too much whistling in this track.

 
 
Can I change yer mind?

https://www.djriko.com/dls2/DJ%20Riko%20-%20Whistlers%20Delight.mp3

TERRIBLE!

BELOW "1"...!

 Imkirok wrote:
Does Neko sing on this album? (Sorry, don't have time to research it right now.)

 
These kinds of disclaimers always amuse me  — if you've got enough spare time to post comments on RP, how's it possible that the prospect of doing a simple Google search would suddenly seem to be overwhelmingly time consuming?   {#Stupid}

 Stranglersfan wrote:
Good band, but too much whistling in this track.

 

{#Yes}{#Whistle}
It's been my song for the Summer of 2010, played regularly on CBC in Toronto, but it's interesting how no one has mentioned that it sounds "totally" - I couldn't help myself - like George Harrison's You, specifically the guitar progression. And ya, the whistling does kind suck. But I still like the song over all.


They write catchy jingles.
Neko and NP are two great tastes that go great together! I love her best with them...
 Stranglersfan wrote:

 
Well put.

Neko Case and whistling! How could this song not end up on the RP playlist? {#Lol}

Good band, but too much whistling in this track.

blah — this is way too "shiny-happy-people" for me......  {#Wall}
Refreshing.
Love this song! It's fun to run to!
Andrew Bird now has some company, RP playlist-wise.
hmmm... it looks like i am not the only one to hear this for the first time....
it´s really catchy, to describe my first impression. i was not listening intently, but the song really powered it´s way to my consciousness....
 Imkirok wrote:
Does Neko sing on this album? (Sorry, don't have time to research it right now.)

 

Yes! And that was her on this song... They were incredible in concert. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2bMKnuv_-k

Good tune, not fond of the whistling bit though.  I love the harmony with Neko — always enjoyed that more than her singing by herself.
 Imkirok wrote:
Does Neko sing on this album? (Sorry, don't have time to research it right now.)

 
Uhm, yes... it's her on this one.

Does Neko sing on this album? (Sorry, don't have time to research it right now.)