A.C. (Carl) Newman is best known as part of indie power pop darlings The New Pornographers.  Get Guilty is the second solo release from the Vancouver native.

Joining Newman are a bevy of guest musicians, including Nicole Atkins, Mates Of State, and Superchunk's Jon Wurster.

The twelve tracks are rooted deeply in the melodic indie rock that we have come to expect from his band.  Almost all of the traits of good New Pornographers' songs are present, with one large exception.

Sadly, the album is almost mostly devoid of the memorable hooks that make New Pornographer songs so memorable.  The single "Submarines of Stockholm" comes close, however even that chorus is gone from your head almost before the song ends.

You can tell Newman is trying, "The Palace at 4 A.M." almost has you singing along.  The effort is there, the theories are sound, but the spark is absent.

Unfortunately, Get Guilty is an album that never quite pays off.