The Stroumboulopouli

The Stroumboulopouli

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Sunday, October 15, 2006

The Hour goes Porno

From the first notes, the new season for The Hour has kicked off to a grand start.

Let's backtrack to Season Two. Yeah sure, so last year, but follow my train of thought for a second, and I promise I will get back to Season Three again. During Season Two, right smack in the middle of the program, just in time for "the news" (or entertainment gossip) and right after the commercial, the viewing audience is pelted with the hard hitting song "Romantic Rights" from the musical duo know as Death From Above 1979. After the disbandment of DFA 1979 over the summer, it is fitting that the theme song for the show has changed too. For season three, The Hour begins with the charming tune "Use It", by the immensely talented Canadian indie band, The New Pornographers. "Use It" is a more than appropriate introduction.

"if you've got something that sheds some light /use it tonight, tonight /heads down thumbs up /two sips from the cup of human kindness"
lyrics from "Use It" - The New Pornographers

George Stroumboloupoulos and The Hour have proven willing to turn the spotlight up to a highbeam - right into the eye of whatever might be happening in our world and sometimes onto us. Catch up on current events from the world, our country, entertainment, and music. Go ahead, curl up on the couch but keep those ears perked and a notebook at hand to scribble down important facts, such as relevant internet sites and musical artists fresh to the scene or particular favorites of George. That said, The New Pornographers, are certainly of the last two categories. "Use It" is track # 3 on the most recent release for The New Pornographers, Twin Cinema (2005).
Twin Cinema was nominated for the Polaris Music Prize, this year. It is a fantastic album.

The New Pornographers consist of the following artists: A.C. Newman, John Collins, Kurt Dahle, Neko Case, Dan Bejar, Blaine Thurier, Todd Fancey, Katheryn Calder, Nora O'Conner, Dave Carswell, Shaun Brodie, Todd MacDonald, Tyre Jami. The list reads as long as the members of Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene. And the combined talent is equally revered in the indie rock scene. A.C. Newman and Neko Case are celebrated solo artists.

In their own words, A.C. Newman has stated on the New Pornographers' website (and "myspace") that on the song "Use It", drummer Dahle used beats from Iron Maiden, Kiss's "Detroit Rock City", and Led Zeppelin's "Fool in the Rain" to create this "Frankenstein's Monster". With Halloween nearing, one can't help but regard The Hour with the same wonder ... the tactful and monstrous creation of the CBC, altering perspective and viewing the world with an innovative eye.

Here's
to Season Three my friends...

{guest contributor}

Serah







Get music codes at Bolt.

11 comments:

Alana Elliott said...

I don't know the New Pornographers very well, but MAN do I love the name of this post! LOL!

I wasn't sure about the new Hour theme at first, but I was so used to last season's that it took a few times to warm up to "Use It" as the new theme. But you're right, the song makes sense as a representation of The Hour, the lyrics are very fitting. I think I've officially warmed up to it. :)

668 aka neighbour of the beast said...

i hate the new theme song but that's because i personally hate the new pornographers. sorry gang!

668 aka neighbour of the beast said...

whoops hit the button too soon.

meant to say good post anyways ! :)

Barbara Bruederlin said...

I think that it's fantastic and very fitting that a Polaris prize nominated band has taken over for providing the theme music for The Hour this season.

DFA 1979 provided great background music for the Hour last season; the New Pornos are ably stepping in to take over.

Allison said...

I wasn't sure if I liked the new intro, but its really grown on me and I think the song really fits!

Thanks for the post Serah :)

I'd like to also say that I'm loving the full web streaming. Brillant.

Barbara said...

oh they are saying 'use it tonight'
I kept hearing 'Music tonight' I swear thats why I did not get what that has to do with The Hour...
OK well I still don't get it but...
that song sticks in my head.

Toccata said...

I enjoy the new theme song but I'm finding tonight's radio program really boring. They need more Alex and less of that Hillary girl. I didn't see her on The Hour so maybe she's good there. I feel being a girl I should be all rah rah rah about a girl on the program but so far she's a no go for me.

Hey, 668 do you like Neko Case? I only ask because I think she's awesome and she used to sing with the New Pornographers. Maybe she still does from time to time I don't know.

668 aka neighbour of the beast said...

i can tolerate her. i actually like her band maow and didn't mind the first cd. but then, stuff happened and i can't listen to her any more.

i don't think one should support someone just because she's a girl...:)

Anonymous said...

this song always puts me in a good mood.

Tammy

Barbara Bruederlin said...

Neko Case is still a member of the New Pornos, Toccato, although she doesn't seem to tour with them. But I agree that she is fantastic and I'm hoping against hope that she will be with the band when they play here this week.

mellowlee said...

I love the name of the post too! *L* I'm glad I'm not the only one who watches The Hour with a pen and paper handy. I have a feeling we all do this :) Great post Serah!