[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
The New Pornographers — Avalanche Alley
Album: Whiteout Conditions
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1926









Released: 2017
Length: 4:02
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Cover your eyes, surprise your fate
It's only an avalanche away, you're safe
It's only a scratch, you're great

Several years after the flood
Your singularity under the gun
So late, so late to the game, so late
We thought it was wise to wait

Sent your blues from the last world
News from the future
Blues from the last world
News from the future

Several miles behind the wave
We needed to cross the ocean, we missed the ride
Lord knows we could use a ride

You summon the breath to finally say
It's only an avalanche away, feels right
And you can stay here tonight
Yeah, you can stay here tonight

Sent your blues from the last world
News from the future
Blues from the last world
News from the future

Butchering people, the cottage industry
The testimonials warning weather
Rules of the house
Rogue graffiti scroll
Ceremony calls, the tarred and feathered
Jewels in your crown
Are loud and proudly fake
Ceremony calls, the overthrowing

Consigned to the dustbin, all good lines turned away
Defined by the daylight waves we found in Avalanche Alley
Controlled demolitions of the times far away
In line for the festival that we call Avalanche Alley

News from the last world
News from the future
News from the last world
News from the future
Comments (61)add comment
 Edweirdo wrote:

Yet another word salad.  Sheesh, these guys make good music but can't write a lyric for tuppence.


Well ... (a) you're making an assumption that lyrics are supposed to mean something, and (b) you're making an assumption that you --  Edweirdo -- are supposed to easily understand that meaning.
 timmus wrote:


Well, this is writing lyrics based on how they sound rather than what they mean. It's another version of those stylistic literary devices that poets like to use. After taking many deep dives into Songmeanings after hearing various Radio Paradise songs, apparently this is a very, very common thing. That's genius, too, as it lets listeners fill in the blanks and find their own personal meanings.


Wait, I can explain the meaning.

They are saying that...well... in reality... the New Millennium... but then... the change... well, there you have it.

Anything else?
Since when do lyrics have to mean something? My home town band sounds great!
 Edweirdo wrote:
Yet another word salad. Sheesh, these guys make good music but can't write a lyric for tuppence. 
 

Well, this is writing lyrics based on how they sound rather than what they mean. It's another version of those stylistic literary devices that poets like to use. After taking many deep dives into Songmeanings after hearing various Radio Paradise songs, apparently this is a very, very common thing. That's genius, too, as it lets listeners fill in the blanks and find their own personal meanings.
This is the kinda song that'll make you question the value of your day job. 
Yet another word salad.  Sheesh, these guys make good music but can't write a lyric for tuppence.
This song has me dancing!
YYYYEEEESSSSS!!!!!!
One of my absolute favourite songs 
 meatmike wrote:

Yes! New Pornographers! Earnestly obtuse the way bands used to be!



Have you heard Parquet Courts? 
 maboleth wrote:

I basically can't tell the difference between Pornographers & Arcade.


Huh. That's odd.

Pornographers having better songs overall but quite similar in texture.


Wait, what?  So you can tell the difference?
Neko Case has one of the best voices in music. Period.
My last live concert before the lockdown, The New Pornographers at The Lincoln Theatre in Washington DC.  November 2019.  Great show. 

Feels like forever...
Is this a Canadian thing?

Groups of 6-8 people, doing contemporary hipster music? Aka Arcade Fire.

I basically can't tell the difference between Pornographers & Arcade. Pornographers having better songs overall but quite similar in texture.
 drwhy wrote:
Love how the drums drive the heck out of this song!!

 

Hell ya!

8  -->  9
Love how the drums drive the heck out of this song!!
\
the first 30sec that was Tangerine Dream
 mdnlsn wrote:
Ample evidence that they still have it! Sooo great to hear pop-rock done with texture and taste. Even the stuff we Canadians hear on CBC Radio 2 is sounding pretty sugaring and cheap these days.
 
Try CBC  Radio 3 or CBC's Adult Alternative playlist which is what I listen to when I am not here.


Liking this band a lot; reminds me of UK outfit Suzerain who, sadly, have now disbanded.
Good Coronavirus isolation tune. Making the best of it.
Great song to work out to.  I also like Avalanche Alley.  Great overall album. 
 kingart wrote:
I said it in a comment on another song by NP, or by another band altogether — this is what Arcade Fire would, should sound like if they got out of their own lazy way. There are similarities in style and material, but whereas NP is lively and upbeat, Arcade Fire is inclined to make thumping drone funeral music. 
 
Why would we need two bands that sound exactly like The New Pornographers? I like them both just fine the way they are. 

Also one of Arcade Fire's albums is literally named Funeral so maybe "thumping drone funeral music" is what they like to make? Sheesh.
Is this song extra great or what? 
What a song! "You can stay here tonight." They sure put the glamour into all that, with this song. Like that $20 bottle of rose in the back of the fridge, saving my 10 for... later.

 
Just upped this to a nine.  Never fails to stop me working and cranking up the volume for 4 minutes.  
 Carl wrote:

Lacking a Top 40 station, I love hearing this here instead. I gave it an 8, which means I would like to hear more like this somewhat more than most. But, actually, I should rate every song a 5, because I pretty much like the mix as it is, which is why I've stuck with B&R&co for so long!
 
Funny AND true....and as we all grow, my evidence of that is that I do not listen to FM radio at all, not much TV either, and nearly no "news" broadcasts.  And while I get your 'it's all a 5' concept, within that '5' we can rank em, and this one is FOR SURE a "5.8" to me - though i'll continue to rate it an 8...Long Live RP!!
This band gets better as Kathryn Calder takes a bigger role. Obviously we all love Neko Case but this seems to be fully Carl's and Kathryn's band now.
what Pop music should be
Just love this song! Beat, sound, the whole thing! Always puts a smile on my face and a skip in my step.
the new pornographers have babies? :D
I love how this group integrates male and female vocalists so well...They sound similar to Passion Pit in that way 
I could hear this over and over
 FluorideFreeMN wrote:
Love the band and the majority of their catalog...although I keep wondering if this particular track could be remade by Metric and perhaps improved?
 
I find that an odd thing to be wondering.
 RichLawCoffee wrote:
Enjoyed this song, but did expect it to turn into the Yellow Magic Orchestra every instrumental break (which wouldn't be a bad thing).
 

Yes, it would be nice to hear some YMO here.  Cool song.
Enjoyed this song, but did expect it to turn into the Yellow Magic Orchestra every instrumental break (which wouldn't be a bad thing).
Neko solo is not my cup of tea at all, but this really works for me.  Great sound.  7 for starters in sunny Bristol today.
Nemo Case .... and The New Pornagraphers

totally a crush 
Love the band and the majority of their catalog...although I keep wondering if this particular track could be remade by Metric and perhaps improved?
 meatmike wrote:
Yes! New Pornographers! Earnestly obtuse the way bands used to be!
 
"Earnestly Obtuse" would be a good band name!
 expatlar wrote:
Doesn't it always make you chuckle at yourself when you go open the 'rp' site to comment on how much you like a song, in this case 'The Boat Song' by Lyle Lovett, and then you realize you had been listening to your Spotify rock/pop playlist all this time? D'oh!
I'm sure this song was good too. :-)
 
It's quite good. And serves you right for abandoning RP, even for a while! :-)
Great stuff! More TNP, please.
Their efforts are sometimes hit and miss for me (although I love everything by Neko solo), but they do seem at a creative peak lately!
Doesn't it always make you chuckle at yourself when you go open the 'rp' site to comment on how much you like a song, in this case 'The Boat Song' by Lyle Lovett, and then you realize you had been listening to your Spotify rock/pop playlist all this time? D'oh!
I'm sure this song was good too. :-)
Boost +1
Ample evidence that they still have it! Sooo great to hear pop-rock done with texture and taste. Even the stuff we Canadians hear on CBC Radio 2 is sounding pretty sugaring and cheap these days.
I like that one) 
Yes! New Pornographers! Earnestly obtuse the way bands used to be!
 lizardking wrote:
I like hearing new music NOT on my local top 40 station. 
I give this a 6 which means I don't mind hearing it again.
Rock on!
 

 
And 4 months later I've bumped this grooving track to an 8!  Long Live RP!!
I said it in a comment on another song by NP, or by another band altogether — this is what Arcade Fire would, should sound like if they got out of their own lazy way. There are similarities in style and material, but whereas NP is lively and upbeat, Arcade Fire is inclined to make thumping drone funeral music. 
Me likey at first listen.  They do have their own sound and I have grown to like it a lot.
I like am starting to like this band and am beginning to recognise their sound so revising my rating from 7 > 8!
 Proclivities wrote:
Pretty cool stuff, nice arrangement.  I'll have to check out more of this album.

 

Check out the warped videos for "High Ticket Attractions"  ,  Mutiny, I Promise You  , and Moves   . They enjoy getting crazy. 

Love the fast driving beat on this. Instant 9.
Nice. This pops up as I press the confirm button, purchasing tickets for their show next week. Synchronicity or just dumb luck? Who cares. Honey, don't stay up, I'm going out rockin'
Pretty cool stuff, nice arrangement.  I'll have to check out more of this album.
Love this band
 lizardking wrote:
I like hearing new music NOT on my local top 40 station. 
I give this a 6 which means I don't mind hearing it again.
Rock on!
 
Lacking a Top 40 station, I love hearing this here instead. I gave it an 8, which means I would like to hear more like this somewhat more than most. But, actually, I should rate every song a 5, because I pretty much like the mix as it is, which is why I've stuck with B&R&co for so long!
like it!
I like hearing new music NOT on my local top 40 station. 
I give this a 6 which means I don't mind hearing it again.
Rock on!
 
cool, love when the song is as good as the album art