This has nothing to do with Minneapolis, but I picked up the new New Pornographers album after deciding in advance that I wasn't going to get it. I bought their last record, Twin Cinema, and barely listened to it. I thought, do I really need more of the same? More (obnoxiously?) tight, super frenetic pop songs? But I had a chance to listen to Challengers in the store, and well, I liked it. The new record is sweeter, there's a little more breathing room, I guess. And I'm a sucker for Neko. On a related note that does have to do with Minneapolis, I'm getting impatient for a good Minneapolis band to come out with a new record. I find myself prowling the record stores pouring through the local stuff hoping to find something cool. I picked up a bunch of promising stuff this past winter (Mouthful of Bees, Winter Blanket, Signal to Trust, and even Ela. Though Ela's actual record, compared to a live show, is pretty flat). So my question is, where're all the good bands at?