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

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. JeffH
    Aug 23, 2005
    10
    Quite simply, there is no better band working right now, and this album is at least the equal of their previous two brilliant releases. If you figure in Carl Newman's solo album and Neko's solo work, there just couldn't be a better pop collective out there. If you like indie pop in any shape or form, you MUST own this record. I just don't have superlatives enough to go Quite simply, there is no better band working right now, and this album is at least the equal of their previous two brilliant releases. If you figure in Carl Newman's solo album and Neko's solo work, there just couldn't be a better pop collective out there. If you like indie pop in any shape or form, you MUST own this record. I just don't have superlatives enough to go on further.… Expand
  2. Jared
    Feb 20, 2006
    10
    Duh!
  3. NicholasB
    Aug 22, 2005
    10
    Mass Romantic was wonderful; Electric Version its equal; but Twin Cinema surpasses them both. It's nigh on the perfect pop record.
  4. AdamK
    Aug 23, 2005
    10
    Just an Incredible Album! This group has done it again--amazingly enough. I don't know how to explain it; when a song like Jessica, Dressed In Cobras comes booming out of the stereo, you want to jump off the rooftops doing somersaults in the sky. This is what great music is about.
  5. CraigE
    Aug 23, 2005
    10
    Note to all artists who aspire to "Best Album of the Year" recognition: don't release your album in the same calendar year as a new New Pornographers release.
  6. MarkC
    Aug 28, 2005
    10
    Crazy-good record that makes you literally stop in your tracks at times and admire just how great it is. Songs like "Sing Me Spanish Techno" or "Jackie, Dressed in Cobras" are so tuneful and heads-and-shoulders above what's being played on the radio -- or so-called "indie"-rock stations -- that it boggles the mind. Perfect end-of-the-summer listening.
  7. JohnM
    Sep 3, 2005
    10
    Jackie's dressed in cobras!!!
  8. 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.
  9. RobertM
    Nov 20, 2005
    10
    Really can't stop listening to this album. awesome.
  10. 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!
  11. W.Haas
    Dec 3, 2005
    10
    Really this is the indie pop album of the year. Not to mention NP accomplished their best yet.
  12. 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").
  13. Matt
    Aug 22, 2005
    10
    If there was any question that they will go down as one of my all-time favorite bands, this puts that question to rest! Another brilliant album without using the same formula.
  14. JohnG
    Aug 23, 2005
    10
    My only criticism is that the vocals are buried too deep in the mix... or I'm going deaf. Otherwise this is wonderful transcendant ear candy.
  15. HelderM
    Aug 23, 2005
    10
    catchy songs, inspirated songwriting and arrangements, driving drums... a pleasure to listen with repeat mode on. the best a powerpop can be.
  16. RobJ
    Aug 24, 2005
    10
    Wonderful quirky melodic pop from this Vancouver group. Stronger than Electric Version. There are a couple of jump out of your seat songs.
  17. Alex
    Aug 24, 2005
    10
    Yet another winner from a great band.
  18. PatrickD
    Aug 24, 2005
    10
    Absolutely perfect and tremendously addictive power pop. I was worried that they wouldn't be able to match Mass Romatic and The Electric Version, but they have surpassed them. I was lucky enough to find a pre-release version of this, and have not stopped listening to it for weeks now. The New Pornographers are "ear candy" - incredibly rich, hooky music it's virtually impossible Absolutely perfect and tremendously addictive power pop. I was worried that they wouldn't be able to match Mass Romatic and The Electric Version, but they have surpassed them. I was lucky enough to find a pre-release version of this, and have not stopped listening to it for weeks now. The New Pornographers are "ear candy" - incredibly rich, hooky music it's virtually impossible to tire of...there's something new to hear every time. That they are not the most popular band on the planet is a crime. Do yourself a favor and buy Twin Cinema (and their other 2 CDs) today.… Expand
  19. Aaron
    Aug 26, 2005
    10
    The group's best effort yet. It's a picture perfect record of instantly lovable indie pop. I think it's one of the year's best discs.
  20. AlexE.
    Aug 27, 2005
    10
    The first time through, I hated this album. Where had all the sing-along hooks gone? And what on Earth was the deal with "Stacked Crooked"? But now, I find myself singing "Jackie, Dressed In Cobras" and "Broken Beads" at the top of my lungs in the car just as much as "Use It" or "The Bleeding Heart Show". This, to me, is the mark of a truly great album. It is a grower, but it sneaks up on The first time through, I hated this album. Where had all the sing-along hooks gone? And what on Earth was the deal with "Stacked Crooked"? But now, I find myself singing "Jackie, Dressed In Cobras" and "Broken Beads" at the top of my lungs in the car just as much as "Use It" or "The Bleeding Heart Show". This, to me, is the mark of a truly great album. It is a grower, but it sneaks up on you, revealing its brilliance gradually. Just give it a little time, and you will see. Plus, Kurt Dahle's drumming on the album honestly has to be heard to be believed. Incredible.… Expand
  21. DouglasC
    Aug 31, 2005
    10
    All right, may not be their best album. But compared to all the albums put out this year that I have heard, I have to give this one a 10. Just like Mass Romantic and Electric Version, it is very difficult to listen to this album without wanting to sing along and jump all around the place like a silly fool. This album puts me in a good mood, give it a chance and it will undoubtedly do the All right, may not be their best album. But compared to all the albums put out this year that I have heard, I have to give this one a 10. Just like Mass Romantic and Electric Version, it is very difficult to listen to this album without wanting to sing along and jump all around the place like a silly fool. This album puts me in a good mood, give it a chance and it will undoubtedly do the same for you.… Expand
  22. DB
    Aug 30, 2005
    10
    I
  23. MarkM
    Aug 30, 2005
    10
    This is by far my favorite of the new pornographers' albums. Some have complained that it is not as bouncy and high-energy as their other albums, but when they slow down the music, such as on "The Bleeding Heart Show" and "Falling Through Your Clothes", I think it works to great effect. Also, this record has what has become my all-time favorite New Pornographers song, "Sing Me This is by far my favorite of the new pornographers' albums. Some have complained that it is not as bouncy and high-energy as their other albums, but when they slow down the music, such as on "The Bleeding Heart Show" and "Falling Through Your Clothes", I think it works to great effect. Also, this record has what has become my all-time favorite New Pornographers song, "Sing Me Spanish Techno". This is a purchase that's worth every cent.… Expand
  24. [Anonymous]
    Sep 23, 2005
    10
    Pop genius.
  25. MarkS
    Sep 8, 2005
    10
    I regret trading in their first two efforts, but that's o.k., because this disc has a magic feeling that channels good vibrations.
  26. 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.
  27. 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
  28. SimonS
    Apr 18, 2006
    10
    I've had A LOT of fun dancing away to this album. Its quite uplifting music.
  29. 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.
  30. 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
prev
Page:

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 »