Listen to Challengers Now

Wanna hear the New Pornographers' new album, Challengers? The album comes out on August 21st, but Matador Records has made it possible for you to stream the album in its entirety NOW via Buy Early Get Now.

Basically, this is the deal: if you buy the album through one of Matador's partner record stores (including Shake It Records in Cincinnati and many other quality independent stores), you'll get a password that let's you listen to a stream of the album now, more than 2 months before the album comes out.

Oh, and they're offering two different versions of the album. For $14.98, you can buy the "Standard Edition", which gets you the album, the stream, 3 unreleased MP3s and early access to concert tickets. Or, for $19.98, you can buy the "Executive Edition", which gets you get the album, the stream, B-sides, a 3-CD box set including b-sides, demos, a live show and band photos, and even earlier access to concert tickets.

Ah, yes, the wonders of the "bundled content" age. I suppose if it gets people to buy CDs, it's a good thing. I'm about to order myself an Executive Edition. Yep, I'm a sucker, but I'm holding out hope that the band photos that come with the Executive Edition include those fabled Kutie magazine photos.

Edited to add: Doesn't look like any of the brick and mortar retailers are up and running with this yet. The album is available via Matador's site though, and the Executive Edition is a flat $18. I just ordered it, but haven't gotten my password for the stream yet. Hope it doesn't take too long.