Most know A.C. (“Carl”) Newman as a key component of the pop-complex known as The New Pornographers.  Together with Destroyer’s Dan Bejar, Neko Case and backers, The New Pornographers have made some of the headiest pop-rock crafted in the 21st century.  Some may be unaware, though, that Newman has also released two of the best solo albums we have laid our ears upon, 2004’s Slow Wonder and 2009’s Get Guilty.

Now comes the grand news that on October 9th, he’ll release his third solo album, Shut Down The Streets, on Matador Records.  Newman came through an emotional period prior to recording the album, and he’s lived to sing about it on Shut Down the Streets, all as explained to Pitchfork recently:

“This record was written during a very heavy time in my life. I was right in that in-between space where I’d just lost somebody [his mother] that’s amazingly important to me, and I was also anticipating the arrival of somebody incredibly important, too. It made me think a lot about family, life and death, happiness and sadness, and how to reconcile them all. All the big questions. The months before and after Stellan was born, I couldn’t think about writing at all. I’ve always been like that; I don’t work that well when there’s distractions taking an enormous emotional toll on me. Other people do, apparently. Eventually, I thought, ‘Well, I’ve got a kid to support now. Get back to work.'”

The new album was recorded in Woodstock, NY and features Neko Case.  Perhaps given the recording environment, the album is said to bear the influence of classic ‘70s folk and pop, a departure from the New Pornographers’ sound.

Check out the evidence on first track, I’m Not Talking, released off the new album below and go HERE to download it.  It’s a smooth-talking, rapturous song that bodes well for the album.

Newman’s Fall Tour listings follow the song.

A.C. Newman–I’m Not Talking:

[audio:https://www.thelefortreport.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/a_c_newman_not_talking.mp3|titles=a_c_newman_not_talking]

on tour this Autumn :

10/21 – Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace (Exclaim! 20th Anniversary Concert Series)
10/22 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
10/23 – Allston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
10/24 – Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwell’s
10/25 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
10/26 – Washington DC @ Black Cat
10/27 – Durham, NC @ Motorco Music Hall
10/28 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
10/29 – St. Louis, MO @ Duck Room at Blueberry Hill
10/30 – Chicago, IL @ The Empty Bottle
11/1 – St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
11/2 – Winnipeg, Canada @ West End Cultural Centre
11/5 – Edmonton, Canada @ Starlite Room
11/6 – Calgary, Canada @ The Republik
11/8 – Vancouver, BC @ The Biltmore Cabaret (Exclaim! 20th Anniversary Concert Series)*
11/9 – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile*
11/10 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge*
11/12 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent*
11/13 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echoplex*
11/14 – San Diego, CA @ The Casbah*

*with special guest Harriet