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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
The Slow Wonder
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 21 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 21 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Matador
Release Date: 08 June 2004
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Indie, Rock
Summary
This is the first solo release for Carl Newman, who can also be found leading indie-rock supergroup The New Pornographers as well as the (now defunct) Canadian power-pop band Zumpano.
Also By This Artist: Get Guilty
Also On Metacritic
MUSIC: The New Pornographers: Electric Version The New Pornographers: Mass Romantic The New Pornographers: Twin Cinema
Also On The Web: ACN @ Matador Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Spin
Lets you better appreciate his knack for weaving glorious pop songs out of change-ups and mixed signals. [Jul 2004, p.109]
All Music Guide
Carl Newman deserves every last bit of praise thrown his way. In a better world, he would be our Elton, our Todd, our McCartney, and Slow Wonder would be on everyone's iPod, rotating on M2 hourly, and his name would be on the lips of everyone from aged Royalty to teen-aged girls.
Read Full Review >Drowned In Sound
These songs are timeless. These songs are addictive. These songs are great. Why can't every album be like this?
Read Full Review >Splendid
True to its title, The Slow Wonder is a much more relaxed and toned-down, yet no less complete listen than Electric Version or Mass Romantic.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
These are soulful sing-alongs with grit, pop nuggets that hold up to hours of repeat play in humid bumper-to-bumper traffic, and ultimately, the sound of a great songwriter hitting his stride.
Read Full Review >Dusted Magazine
It’s an impressive display of the sort of catchy and fun (natch) music that Newman can make, even without the substantial talents of his usual collaborators.
Read Full Review >Tiny Mix Tapes
Taking chances within the realm of a three minute pop song takes sheer talent, and on The Slow Wonder, Carl Newman proves that he is one of the brightest songwriters working in music these days.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club)
A uniformly appealing summertime sleeper that mostly eschews wall-of-sound blowouts for a sound just as rich and rewarding.
Read Full Review >Stylus Magazine
Newman has created a record bearing all the traits that make him such an engaging musical personality in the first place: elliptical wordplay, unusual delivery, and obscenely catchy songs.
Read Full Review >Uncut
A big, baroque fusion of sharp garage, paisley pop and '70s sleekness, finished with a coating of Terry Jacks sentiment. [Jul 2004, p.104]
Delusions of Adequacy
Chock-full of catchy songs, off-kilter melodies, and A.C. Newman’s clever lyricism.
Read Full Review >ShakingThrough.net
Fans of the New Pornographers will find Slow Wonder not quite as rocking (though "Miracle Drug" features some crackling guitar work), but possessed of just as many memorable hooks and choruses.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone
Newman pens melodies that seem to have sprung from the collective unconscious and then encases them in bright, lush power-pop arrangements.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
A refreshing, bracing detour. [Jul 2004, p.121]
Blender
A terrific joy bomb of power chords and power-pop keyboard riffs. [#27, p.142]
Billboard
"Wonder" isn't as immediately accessible as any New Pornographers album, which may turn off some fans looking for another set of sugar-coated rock. Nevertheless, these compositions also demonstrate Newman's immense talent, which ensures any monotonous patches on the album are quickly redeemed by far more interesting sonic departures.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
While it's delivered splendidly, The Slow Wonder doesn't succeed as well as an album as its songs do as individual parts.
Read Full Review >Almost Cool
It's not that The Slow Wonder is a bummer by any means, because it's not. It's simply not riding quite the same giddy highs as work by his previous groups.
Read Full Review >Alternative Press
Without the usual suspects, The Slow Wonder just seems like a well-produced demo of songs he's readying for Electric Version's follow-up. [Aug 2004, p.116]
Village Voice
Though there's little of the powerpuff zoom associated with the New P's here, uptempo grins like "On the Table" make denying the pleasantness of it all impossible.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 21 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
David gave it a9:
This is a joyful, puzzling album in all the right ways. There is some New Pornography here, but especially because of the elliptical lyrics (my favourite kind!) we wonder what all the jubilant force, surprising/catchy riffs, sullen mystery, and emotion-about-event is all about. Listen to mainstream FM or AM radio after this, and one realizes how much octane A.C. Newman has here and "how nothing" mainstream pop usually is. My jaded head is turned . . .
Javin H gave it a 7:
I found some rewarding moments on this album, one of the more memorable ones being " Most of Us Prizefighters." "Miracle Drug" was what prompted the purchase though. Great tunes for the most part, but a few snooze tracks. " The Town Halo" kind of sounds like a late INXS rip off - but with the addition of the rocking cello surpasses any reference. I think that the originality of the material is what carries this release by AC, not the musicianship or the sound itself. AC's is not a sound that dictates any one emotion, only an ever changing mixture. The only important thing here is where YOU take the music. With The Slow Wonder, you will get there wherever it may be.
Marisa G gave it an 8:
I get distracted listening to the 60's and 70's influences on this album...but then I relax and realize they all come together into something original and incredibly enjoyable. Good stuff.
lori p gave it a 10:
i never even heard of this guy and what drawn me to pick up this cd was that cat nose on the CD cover and when i listened to it i fell in love with it....i think it's a great album....i happen to love it very much.....he's great...thanks lori
Adam X gave it a 10:
one of the best things ever
Lawrence Prasad gave it an 8:
Agree with Brad M.
Brad M. gave it an 8:
I reacted to this cd the same way I reacted to many new pornographers tunes. At first I am frustrated by the over the top, sugary cheeriness of this type of music and I promptly turn it off. But then a song keeps playing inside my head and I begin to crave its sugary concoctions. However, while I'm in awe of Newman's harmonies, particularly on "35 in the shade," I still have some reservations about his music. Namely the fact that his music doesn't make me "feel" anything. Sure when "Secretarial" starts chugging, I get a giddy rush of excitement but it's kind of like seeing a pretty girl. On a superficial level staring at this girl will satisfy my needs but on an emotional level I'm not really feeling anything deeply. Part of the probably is Newman's lyrics. Sure they are charming in a nonsensical kind of way but there's nothing that really hits home. I recently read an interview with Newman on where he said that he writes lyrics that sound good with his arrangements and that he is careful not to add extra syllables that would clutter his melodies. The good side to this technique is clear throughout the cd. Newman's words slide gracefully over his music. The problem however is that the lyrics carry very little emotional weight. Granted Newman's words sound coy and clever but there's nothing behind them, they are paper-thin or skin deep if you want to return to my hot girl analogy. Regardless of this criticism, I still am a fan of this cd. It's fanciful, imaginative power-pop and I'll enjoy it while it lasts. But I just can't see myself turning to this album during a time of emotional distress.
