Twin Cinema
by The New Pornographers
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Aug 23, 2005
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 149 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 124 out of 149
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 149
  3. Negative: 17 out of 149

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  1. jaydanahy
    Sep 21, 2011
    9
    Great album...and The Bleeding Heart Show is one of my favorite songs ever constructed. I simply can't get enough of Neko and Kathryn's voices. It is pure pop as is should be.
  2. JUIKER
    Aug 22, 2010
    9
    When I first hears "Use It" on the radio, I felt that sense of instant recognition of a great band reaching a peak, fully realizing their sound, similar to the first time I heard "Losing my Religion" by REM or "Bulls on Parade" by Rage. The album matches the epic quality of that song, although "Use It" remains a standout track.
  3. EricC.
    Aug 6, 2007
    10
    Impossibly fun. I was only a couple of songs in to this album before it became one of my favorites. I'll blast this music from my stereo for a while.
  4. susiek
    Jan 23, 2007
    8
    Very good although not as good as Electric Version. It took me a while to get into this album, but I think it was worth it. There are a few songs on this album that rub me the wrong way depending upon my mood, but there are others that I need to crank up as loud as I can no matter when I hear them.
  5. DaveG
    Nov 20, 2006
    10
    I don't just give away perfect scores, but after a year of this album I can't give it any less than one. This is pop music at its very finest, and the crowning achievement of The New Pornographers. If you haven't heard this album, it's about time you got on board.
  6. CarlosD
    Oct 25, 2006
    9
    C'mon people, this is the most ebullient pop music you'll find anywhere, and it's smart to boot. Stands up to repeated listenings and never grows old
  7. TimD
    Jun 26, 2006
    8
    That NME mark proves just how awful a publication it has become under conor mcnicholas tutorship. Their constant overlooking of the terriffic american/canadian pop scene (picaresque 5/10? idiots) in favour of horrendously dull british acts is simply derisory. How you can big up the pipettes and the arctic monkeys while their much better behaved siblings monkey swallows thew universe and That NME mark proves just how awful a publication it has become under conor mcnicholas tutorship. Their constant overlooking of the terriffic american/canadian pop scene (picaresque 5/10? idiots) in favour of horrendously dull british acts is simply derisory. How you can big up the pipettes and the arctic monkeys while their much better behaved siblings monkey swallows thew universe and band club toil round in northern clubs is quite, quite bizarre. It really cries out for new editorship. Oh, and twin cinema is a very very strong album; bleeding heart show is so jawdroppingly gorgeous i tend to dribble just thinking about it.… Expand
  8. emis
    Jun 17, 2006
    10
    one of the best albums in 2005.
  9. mr.hankey
    Jun 12, 2006
    10
    The New Pornographers could be considered a band full of fun, quirky and electric songs that are indie pop. Well for this album Twin Cinema, The New Pornographers have seemed to look at their idols because I can hear some classic rock in there. Twin Cinema in my opinion is the New Pornographers best because it isn't as "poppy" as their past releases that were still brilliant. Twin The New Pornographers could be considered a band full of fun, quirky and electric songs that are indie pop. Well for this album Twin Cinema, The New Pornographers have seemed to look at their idols because I can hear some classic rock in there. Twin Cinema in my opinion is the New Pornographers best because it isn't as "poppy" as their past releases that were still brilliant. Twin Cinema the title track of the album stands out as a song that is a fusion of syths, guitar and drums that in the end becomes an anthem. The Bleeding Heart Show is a ballad of brilliance that is one of the best of the album because it is so likeable, also a song that you can sing along to. Sing Me Spanish Techno is probably my favorite song because it is the song that is most relatable to classic rock in general. But overall the album is definitely a highlight of 2005 and should have not been missed. I still listen to it this day. See you on tour with Belle and Sebastian.… Expand
  10. AlexG
    May 19, 2006
    9
    Excellent album. Totally lively and interesting. This was my first exposure to Neko Case, and she's got an incredible voice. A lot of the melodies remind me of Syd Barrett's stuff. I wasn't a fan of power pop before I heard this album, but it's opened my eyes.
  11. justina
    Apr 22, 2006
    10
    Brilliant, fun, hook-laden pop through and through. Just awesome.
  12. SimonS
    Apr 18, 2006
    10
    I've had A LOT of fun dancing away to this album. Its quite uplifting music.
  13. TeePets
    Apr 7, 2006
    10
    I've had this album in the CD player at least three times a week for the past 8 months and am still amazed by it on every listen. A celebration of music -- rich, vibrant and sometimes scary. A masterpiece.
  14. Jared
    Feb 20, 2006
    10
    Duh!
  15. CurtA
    Jan 24, 2006
    10
    If I have to see that another White Stripes album is gaining acclaim (or even attention), I am going to vomit. TNP's Twin Cinema is measured yet spontaneous with some of the best drumming I have ever heard -- it compares with some of the best of Jimmy Chamberlain of Smashing Pumpkins and Glenn Kotchke of Wilco. Twinc Cinema is like your favorite cup: you never get tired of drinking If I have to see that another White Stripes album is gaining acclaim (or even attention), I am going to vomit. TNP's Twin Cinema is measured yet spontaneous with some of the best drumming I have ever heard -- it compares with some of the best of Jimmy Chamberlain of Smashing Pumpkins and Glenn Kotchke of Wilco. Twinc Cinema is like your favorite cup: you never get tired of drinking from it no matter how many timmes you've done it.… Expand
  16. TylerA
    Jan 22, 2006
    9
    Love it Love it Love it. How can one not erupt into joy when Newman sings "Traveling at god speed over the hills and trails" in the awesomely rocking "Sing Me Spanish Techno", or the throw-your-arms-into-the-air-and-celebrate climax of "The Bleeding Heart Show". Wonderful album.
  17. D*To-
    Dec 6, 2005
    10
    One of the top few albums of the year, with probably the song of the year ("The Bleeding Heart Show"). This album is a masterpiece from the very beginning, with the burst into "Twin Cinema." The genius of the interwoven lyrics of Case and Newman is brilliant, not to mention Bejar at his best ("Jackie, Dressed in Cobras").
  18. W.Haas
    Dec 3, 2005
    10
    Really this is the indie pop album of the year. Not to mention NP accomplished their best yet.
  19. justinb
    Dec 2, 2005
    10
    best album of 2005, just listen and you'll know what something with that title sounds like.
  20. NateL
    Nov 23, 2005
    10
    It is what it is.
  21. RobertM
    Nov 20, 2005
    10
    Really can't stop listening to this album. awesome.
  22. PlatypusQuest
    Nov 16, 2005
    10
    This album is completely remarkable, easily the best album of their career. And Eff E is completely MAD! Jackie Dressed in Cobras is my favorite song on the album!! He's mad I tell you! MAD!!!
  23. JasperB
    Nov 13, 2005
    9
    Pop at its finest
  24. ChadS
    Nov 2, 2005
    9
    I respect Jack Johnson, but he doesn't make me proud to be from Hawaii. Poi Dog Pondering did. If I was Canadian, The New Pornographers would replace the Crash Test Dummies as my local fav. "Sing me Spanish Techno" is such a cool title and the song doesn't let you down. The vocalist sings the title with such feeling, a potentially jokey idea is turned into a notion that's I respect Jack Johnson, but he doesn't make me proud to be from Hawaii. Poi Dog Pondering did. If I was Canadian, The New Pornographers would replace the Crash Test Dummies as my local fav. "Sing me Spanish Techno" is such a cool title and the song doesn't let you down. The vocalist sings the title with such feeling, a potentially jokey idea is turned into a notion that's suddenly poignant. "Jackie Dressed in Cobras" sounds like "Kimono my House"-era Sparks informed by indie rock. It's the most distinct track on "Twin Cinema", and maybe the best. My favorite Candian is Jane Siberry, but she hasn't made a truly great album since "When I was a Boy".… Expand
  25. PaulH
    Nov 2, 2005
    8
    another solid album, i rank this one ahead of electric version, right behind mass romantic. but none of them are as good as the slow wonder, still, good stuff.
  26. KristiC
    Oct 25, 2005
    8
    this band makes me proud to be from vancouver!
  27. RaulJulia
    Oct 18, 2005
    7
    I have dropped my 13 bucks on Electric Version and Twin Cin and feel somewhat let down. While both are decent records, neither live up to the excessive hype built up around them. Their songs are like veneers and fail to connect on a deeper level. 'Pop' music is capable of so much more. I'll be selling my copies.
  28. FranciscoP
    Oct 16, 2005
    10
    Completely agree with the Lost at Sea review - TNP are now a band I can't live without. IMO, this is by far their best work yet. I loved the first two cd's but this is the first I can listen to all the way through. Brilliant!
  29. VinceH.
    Sep 27, 2005
    7
    Not their best album by far. Both the previous NP albums and especially AC Newman's "The Slow Wonder" are far superior. My main reasoning is this: only a few exuberant songs on this album are as brilliant as even the average songs from Electric Version. "Twin Cinema", "Use It", "Sing Me Spanish Techno", "Three or Four", and "Streets of Fire" are the most memorable, and that is my Not their best album by far. Both the previous NP albums and especially AC Newman's "The Slow Wonder" are far superior. My main reasoning is this: only a few exuberant songs on this album are as brilliant as even the average songs from Electric Version. "Twin Cinema", "Use It", "Sing Me Spanish Techno", "Three or Four", and "Streets of Fire" are the most memorable, and that is my main problem: the lack of truly catchy songs. AC Newman obviously has a natural genius for melody, and in my mind ranks with Jeff Magnum, Jeff Tweedy, Miles Kurosky, and James Mercer among indie-pop Gods in terms of his absoultely brilliant melodies and catchy hooks, but the songs don't blow your mind or stay lodged in your bloodstream like the previous albums do. Pitchfork says this is their most mature album to date, which I do somewhat agree with. Definitely gets better with repeated listenings, but it is a bit of a dissapointment considering how awesome their last 2 albums were.… Expand
  30. BernardA
    Sep 27, 2005
    9
    This is the first cd from this band that I bought & after listening to it I just have to get their previous cds. Every song is a gem especially Use It, Sing me Spanish Techno & Star Bodies. The only weak spot is Jessica Numbers which is really boring. Along with Spoon's Gimmie Fiction this is one of the best releases of 2005
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Awards & Rankings

21
#21 Best Album of 2005
46
#46 Most Discussed Album of 2005
30
#30 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    Twin Cinema is another great pop album from the New Pornographers, a release that's crammed with so many memorable melodies that the bumpier moments fade into the background.
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    It's their trademark boisterous hyper-melodies... that will have you involuntarily humming their praises for weeks (months!) to come. [26 Aug 2005, p.59]
  3. Paste Magazine
    80
    Exhilarating and complex enough to keep you warm year-round. [Aug/Sep 2005, p.108]
See all critic reviews »