In the press release and accompanying interviews for A.C. Newman's new LP, Shut Down the Streets, much has been made of the more personal turn his songwriting has taken. Certainly addressing the sunrise/sunset moments of the birth of his son and the death of his mother makes his normally elliptical, pop-driven songwriting with the New Pornographers hit with a more personal punch. He's been moving in that direction at least since the N.P.'s Challengers from 2007, but the reflective tone and more orchestrated arrangements give listeners an insight into a masterful songwriter who has long skirted telling a straight story.
Punctuality Pays: Be on time for opener the Mynabirds, who played a great but under-attended show this summer at the Firebird in support of this year's politically potent Generals.