Various Artists - Challengers (CD)

Indie rockers with a sound that pays homage to classic power pop and New Wave, the Canadian band the New Pornographers made a major impact with their 2000 debut album, MASS ROMANTIC. Something of an indie supergroup, the band includes members of Zumpano as well as alt-country songstress Neko Case. Despite leader A.C. Newman releasing a critically acclaimed solo album and Case maintaining only a guest-star status, the band remained intact and fulfilled the promise of its debut with subsequent records and tours.