There are a couple of reasons why I lump these two bands together.  They both put out incredibly catchy indie pop music.  They both have a distinctive red-headed female vocalist who is paired with an overshadowed hook-driven male bandmate (who may or may not have red hair, but I wouldn’t know ’cause I have no idea what they look like).  I discovered both of them around the same time (circa 2003-4).  And most importantly, I have found that the parts of these bands aren’t nearly as good as the wholes.

Start with The New Pornographers.  Gotta love the name.  They’re one of these collectives that seem to be as Canadian as mounties and moose (see Arcade Fire for another example).  A.C. Newman gets most of the credit for pulling the band together, but it is vocalist Neko Case who makes his songs shine.  If you want the epitome of a nearly perfect indie pop song, listen to “Letter from an Occupant” off their first album, Mass Romantic.  Case’s vocals and Newman’s hook on that one are irresistable — that combination is the reason I love this band.

Really, I picked The New Pornographers up with their second album, Electric Version.  This is a near perfect album.  Looking at the songlist now, I don’t even know what to talk about.  Every track works, but if you’re looking for a sample try The Laws Have Changed (with dueling Newman and Case vocals) or the propulsive All For Swinging You Around.  Or just go buy the album.

There have been two albums since Electric Version.  I’ve bought them both, but haven’t enjoyed either one quite as much.  Apparently Case has been less involved, which may be part of the problem.  They’ve added vocalist Kathryn Calder, who I’ve got no problem with, but somehow the albums don’t click as well with me.  Maybe the unique sound isn’t as unique three and four albums in.  That said, the third album Twin Cinema has two absolutely crucial tracks - These Are the Fables and The Bleeding Heart Show, which about two-thirds through breaks from the verse-chorus structure for two minutes of the most amazing, joyous, hey-la-ing rock you’re gonna hear.  Honestly, I don’t have the patience to go relisten to the tracks on the fourth album, Challengers, to pick one out (though I’m sure there must be good catchy songs on there).

But to get back to my unifying theme here, I’ve also tried out the solo and non-NP projects by individual members.  And all those albums fell flat for me.  A.C. Newman put out an album that made me want to listen to Electric Version instead.  Neko Case gets huge critical acclaim, but turns out not to be for me.  I had no patience for Dan Bejar’s Destroyer.  They really all need to be together to make me happy.

The same goes for Jenny Lewis and Blake Sennett of Rilo Kiley.  I don’t mind Lewis’ solo stuff or Sennett’s The Elected.  Perfectly pleasant music that resides happily on my Ipod.  But put those two together with the other members of Rilo Kiley and you’ve got one of my favorite bands.

Again, I am particularly fond of one album, their fourth, More Adventurous.  Unlike The New Pornographers, whose lyrics tend toward the nonsensical stream of consciousness, Rilo Kiley’s lyrics are brutal and blunt (though both bands share the penchant for the killer hook).  Take Does He Love You? about a serial cheater sung from the point of view of the women he cheats on and leaves.  Or Accidntel Deth, in which you slowly realize, despite the bouncy underscore, is a second person short story about someone dying on the floor after a nasty accident.  Yes, I said second person.  Point of view is crucial in the songs of Rilo Kiley.  They are writers at heart and each song has a plot structure and characters that you can’t help but care about.  At least More Adventurous works that way for me — like an amazing collection of short fiction.

I bought their follow-up album, Under the Blacklight.  It’s a much more conventional project.  All the songs have a bit more of a generic rock feel.  I wonder if maybe with both of these bands, I just love one of their albums so much that I don’t give the others much of a chance.  I will say that there are some catchy songs on Under the Blacklight, such as Silver Lining, that I am surprised were not Top 40 hits.