Favorites Songs of the '00s: #4 & #5

What would we do without Dan Bejar? Well for starters, all of The New Pornographers' albums would lack a much needed ounce of quirk. Admittedly, the songs I've singled out here--"Testament to Youth in Verse" and "Execution Day"--made zero sense to me in 10th grade, even souring the listening experience a bit, but I now think of them as indispensable.




The New Pornographers -- "Testament to Youth in Verse" -- Electric Version (2003)

The appeal of "Testament to Youth in Verse" is clear enough: the final two minutes are a charming dose of intricately-stacked, slightly syncopated harmonies. It's probably the coolest anthem this side of "Sing Me Spanish Techno," but with more replay value.





The New Pornographers -- "Execution Day" -- Mass Romantic (2000)

"Execution Day," for it's own part, is a weird new-wave/post-punk/power pop hybrid that kills by way of contrast. Once again, it's the second half that really brings this one home, and it wouldn't be as effective if the outburst was telegraphed in any way. Belt this one out and I swear it will brighten your day.

(To see the previous "favorite song" entry, click here.)