By Jodi Root

My favorite part of listening to a new album that first time is to try and pinpoint which songs are the singles. There’s always the obvious opening track, that initial glimpse of many more riches to follow—or at least a melody so catchy that the listener is hooked from the get go in hopes of finding another number just as addicting further on. Next, is the apparent album title track, (if applicable)—if a song is so good there’s a whole album named after it, that’s GOT to be a giveaway, right? After the starter or title track, then if you’re in the dark on the release and haven’t done any research yet, it’s up to good old instinct—which songs are your favorite? Most memorable? Upbeat, poppy, stuck in your head all goddamn day?

Well, with A.C. Newman I may have incorrectly guessed his first actual single from January 20th’s forthcoming Get Guilty. According to Newman’s label’s site, Matador, it turns out “The Palace at 4 A.M.,” which is neither the opening number nor title track, wins the first place prize at least in order of singles. After reading this, I gave the track another listen and I guess it did seem pretty evident. “Palace” is 3 minutes and 23 seconds of pure pop bliss, with layers of percussion, piano, and upbeat harmonies. I would have placed this number fourth in line, however, judging from my first uneducated listen.

According to my rules above, the opening “There are Maybe Ten or Twelve,” which kicks off Newman’s 12-song popera, would have come in at either first or second place with its delectable assortment of strings and intimate vocal melodies. Next, (or tied I guess), would come Mr. Title Track, “Changeling (Get Guilty),” which is a friendly reminder as to why I’m such a big New Pornographers’ fan, sounding almost like a B-side Challengers track. (This is a good thing).

But even after those two songs, my next guess for first single would be the fully charged and super fun “Submarines of Stockholm,” sounding almost Sesame Streetesque, blending together a nest of guitar, keys, drums and male/female harmonies. The dancey “Like a Hitman, Like a Dancer” is another stand-out track, as is the sweet closing number, “You All Of My Days & All Of My Days Off,” which Newman wrote for his wife about their wedding day.

It doesn’t hurt that Mr. Allan Carl Newman recruited the efforts of Mates of State and Nicole Atkins on back-up vocal duties, as well as Jon Wurster of Superchunk and Mountain Goats on drums, either. It’s no secret that Newman’s colleagues at his other day job are pretty successful at their additional part-time gigs as well, (see Neko Case, Dan Bejar, etc), but Newman has once again created another stand alone solid solo effort with Get Guilty. It wasn’t even a year ago I saw Newman & the NP take the Chicago stage at the Riviera Theatre, showcasing 07’s Challengers. Now mere months later, he’s brought forth a whole new collection of enjoyable material, and will be ready to hit us again here in the Chi in March at the Logan Square Auditorium.

Amazon: Pre-Order Get Guilty
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Myspace: A.C. Newman
MP3: A.C. Newman – “Submarines of Stockholm”