Online only: Challengers Grade: B+

Four albums in, the first of Canada's modern indie supergroups is still going strong -- albeit with a bit of wear around the edges. \nIn what could foster a schism among fans, The New Pornographers' latest, Challengers, is a more laid-back affair than the band's previous releases: only two of its 11 tracks recreate the Porno's signature sugar-rush power-pop ("All The Things That Go To Make Heaven And Earth" and "Mutiny, I Promise You"). The rest are either mid-tempo builders (that is, they start off light and build up to grand sing-along marches) or more ballad-y tunes akin to "The Bleeding Heart Show" and "These Are The Fables" from 2005's Twin Cinema. The new non-hyperactive stuff is almost uniformly excellent -- but, dang, if those two tracks don't make you miss the old sound.\nThe only other knock against Challengers is that the ingredients could use a bit more mixing. It has been noted elsewhere that this release shows a lot of similarity to group leader A.C. Newman's solo LP, The Slow Wonder -- and, indeed, it does. But more jarring, both within the course of Challengers and in comparison to the band's past work, are the chunks of Bejar left sticking out. As many of you already know, Pornos co-songwriter Dan Bejar also records solo as Destroyer -- and Challengers' "Entering White Cecilia" and "The Spirit of Giving" actually sound like Destroyer rather than New Pornos tracks, complete with '60's folky strumming and the insistent, declarative vocals. If, like a lot of music critics, you loved 2006's Destroyer's Rubies, this should make you quite happy -- if you're like me however, you … erm … tolerate it. By contrast, the also-Bejar-penned "Myriad Harbor" not only fits better with the group sound, it's the best song on the album -- with a soaring chorus, witty lyrics and terrific call-and-response vocals. Indeed, "Harbor," an example of a Pornos-Bejar song awkwardly highlights the Destroyer-Bejar nature of "Cecilia" and "Spirit" (and casts them deep into its shadow). \nBut realize that for all the words expended, these are two minor complaints against an album from one of the best indie bands out there. The songcraft is keen and charming, Neko Case's voice is as lovely as ever, and Challengers is quite fun. There's still plenty of reason to embarrass your less-hip friends and family by talking in public about how much you love The New Pornographers.