After 2005's near flawless Twin Cinema (#4 on my best of list that year as a matter o' fact), you'd expect Canadian super-group Power-Poppers The New Pornographers to finally make a dud or at least a somewhat mediocre record in their superior resume. I mean really, they couldn't make it four in a row with their new album Challengers could they?

Well they can and they did. Challengers puts another notch in The New Pornographers belt of great works and does so in a way one wouldn't expect. Call it reserved, mature or understated, just don't call it flat, Challengers is the Porno's most focused LP yet. Yes, most of the songs here don't have that bouncing off the wall charm that we've come to expect and love from their previous tunes, but repeated listens open up a world of The New Pornographers' most memorable songs that stick with the listener long after the music has stopped. Ringleader A.C. Newman even gives us the first N.P. sad song in "Adventures in Solitude," but even though it's sad, it has a happy ending that'll put a smile on your mug. The usual three tracks that Dan Bejar contributes are surprisingly the most accessible of his career and that's counting his work with other bands such as Destroyer and Swan Lake as well. "Myriad Harbor" is one of the greatest love letters to NYC you'll ever hear. Newman's niece Kathryn Calder makes her first lead vocal for The N.P's with "Failsafe" and it's a dandy with John Collins' intricate bass work lending a hand. But don't worry Neko Case obsessives, she's still here too. The self-titled track she tackles is a peach, as is her elegant "Go Places" near the tail end. Newman however does save what's absolutely best here for himself. The sweeping epic that is "Unguided" is a six minute plus beauty that is complete unexpected from a band that has come to master the perfect three minute pop tune.

Challengers may be difficult at first for older fans to digest I'm sure, but I have no doubt that those who stick with it will find this challenge fulfilling and ultimately rewarding.