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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

Electric Version
by The New Pornographers


8.3

based on 22 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 20 votes
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Rate this album

MUSIC:

A.C. Newman: The Slow Wonder

The Vancouver, Canada indie supergroup attempts to duplicate the success of 2000's 'Mass Romantic' with this sophomore release. Neko Case returns to handle vocal duties.

LABEL:	Matador / Mint
RELEASE DATE:	06 May 2003
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Indie, Rock, Pop

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...

Entertainment Weekly

Electric Version may be a bit less delirious at times, but it's still christened with that same sort of mystical, pop-hook abracadabra that results in happily ingratiating tunes. [9 May 2003, p.76]

Nude As The News

This is fun, fun, fun stuff -- one of the year’s best albums, no doubt.

The Onion (A.V. Club)

What's the point in complaining that Electric Version doesn't offer enough of one of its countless good things? The only thrill missing here is the enviable joy of hearing New Pornographers for the first time.

Junkmedia

It's every bit as good, if not better, than their first.

PopMatters

The lyrics might not make much sense, and there's nothing groundbreaking here, but with songs as ridiculously catchy and fun as these, who cares?

Billboard

Power pop just doesn't get any more powerful or poppy than this, with all three singers in fine form and the band -- all high-strung keyboards and frenetic drums -- blazing away at the speed of sound.

Almost Cool

It feels more like a band effort, allowing itself to breathe a little more in places.

Village Voice (Consumer Guide)

Tremendous craft, winning enthusiasm.

Pitchfork

Those expecting the dense, powerful, and insistently upbeat onslaught of Mass Romantic will no doubt react to Electric Version with some degree of initial disappointment. Repeated listens, however, reveal that Electric Version not only displays Carl Newman's brilliant and unique pop sensibility, but allows it enough space to reveal previously obstructed layers of emotional depth.

ShakingThrough.net

Nothing here approaches the pop perfection of Romantic's "Letter From An Occupant," but songs like Newman's "The Laws Have Changed" and Bejar's spirited "Testament to Youth in Verse" nonetheless add weight to one of the year's strongest and unabashed pure-pop releases.

All Music Guide

Electric Version is an enjoyable and easy listen, chock-full of hungry hooks and brimming with indie rock's classic humility.

Dusted Magazine

At their best, the New Pornographers effortlessly dress down emotional defenses and bestow, for at least a moment, simple joy.

Blender

New Porn songs gush eagerness and surge like the front car of a roller coaster. [May 2003, p.122]

Splendid

Electric Version does little to alter the successful New Pornographers formula. It's a longer, louder and (most importantly) more assured album than its predecessor, but if you liked Mass Romantic, you won't be disappointed. And if you disliked Mass Romantic, you may have a difficult time telling the two albums apart.

Alternative Press

The kind of album that functions as both background BBQ beat and windows-down sing-along. [Jul 2003, p.112]

Flak Magazine

It's an album's worth of smart, solid pop music that lingers in the memory.

Filter

Though not perfect, the New Pornographers are getting closer. [#5, p.87]

Uncut

There's nothing profound about Electric Version. But classic pop has seldom sounded so much fun. [Jun 2003, p.98]

Rolling Stone

Despite their hookiness, the thirteen uniformly upbeat tracks do sound a little too samey at times.

Austin Chronicle

The album has textures that make the group's 2000 debut, Mass Romantic, sound medieval by comparison.

Mojo

The awe fades quickly as this album progresses. [Jun 2003, p.100]

Stylus Magazine

The main, fundamental problem with this album is that as good as the melodies are, it really does fall flat in trying to get you to feel anything.

The average user rating for this album is 8.3 (out of 10) based on 20 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Gina P gave it a10:
Beyond amazing album. Althogh it has their usual sound, you don't hear what you would expect to. They put more "umph" into this album. Carl Newman has never sounded better.

Jared gave it a10:
Maybe not so Duh! that it's a 10 but this band to me is perfection.

Ben D gave it a9:
With song after song of bouncy pop goodness, Electirc Version will brighten up anyone's day.

Ian G gave it a 9:
As good as Mass Romantic IMO, with 'All For Swinging You Around' the highlight, one of the best feel-good songs I've ever heard. 'Miss Teen Wordpower' and 'The Laws Have Changed' aren't far behind, while 'Testament To Youth In Verse' is this album's Execution Day (i.e. skip-fodder).

Troy P. gave it a 10:
A plethora of amazing tracks, a wealth of hooks, and more energy than anything else you will hear this year. "Miss Teen Wordpower" and "All for Swinging You Around" are both high points on an album with no valleys.

Milo M gave it a 9:
If this doesn't reach you, you really *are* dead to the world. The Bejar stuff is ok, particularly "Chump Change", but I'm humming the Newman powerpop pieces incessantly -- can't get enough.

a w gave it a 9:
The New Pornographers capture what it truly means to be a supergroup. The hooks on Electric Version straight up impale your skin and reel you in. I couldn't ask for a better album to kick start a summer.

Electric Version by The New Pornographers

Electric Version
by The New Pornographers