User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
Electric Version Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

  • Summary: 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.

Top Track

From Blown Speakers
When the contact high from the real-life adventures wear off, You find in the tiny moments that bomb, your old files rain down from the sky. And... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 22
  2. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    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]
  2. 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?
  3. 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.
  4. Electric Version is an enjoyable and easy listen, chock-full of hungry hooks and brimming with indie rock's classic humility.
  5. It's an album's worth of smart, solid pop music that lingers in the memory.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. GinaP
    Apr 12, 2007
    10
    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. 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. Expand
  2. Jared
    Feb 20, 2006
    10
    Maybe not so Duh! that it's a 10 but this band to me is perfection.
  3. MiloM
    Jul 3, 2003
    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 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. Expand
  4. BenD
    Sep 23, 2005
    9
    With song after song of bouncy pop goodness, Electirc Version will brighten up anyone's day.
  5. IanG
    Jan 8, 2004
    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 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). Expand
  6. LukeM.
    May 14, 2003
    4
    The hooks on this album all seem like they should take hold, but then they don't. The songs are well-constructed, but end up sounding The hooks on this album all seem like they should take hold, but then they don't. The songs are well-constructed, but end up sounding the same and like weaker versions of the stuff on the great "Mass Romantic." Expand