Get excited for these New Pornographers shows!

[Firebutt McGee]

Okay, short version:

This is the best that the New Pornographers have been. Take full advantage of this!

Longer version:

I went with a friend to go check out the tour kickoff-rehearsal show in Woodstock, NY, where they recorded the new album, and rehearsed. This is the first tour they're doing in a while that's going to have the full band, including Neko Case, Miranda from Crooked Fingers, and Dan Bejar. They've also brought a cellist along for the US dates, and it REALLY makes a difference.

I've always loved the NP's, but I think it's been common knowledge that they're hit or miss live. Without Neko, they really just had Kathryn to rely on (who has become INFINITELY better on stage) for the female vocals; and without Dan (pretty common), either the drummer or A.C. Newman would do his songs. Needless to say, it just wasn't the same and felt like "filler" performances on those shows. That's all changed.

The new songs are so completely full of energy and life whenever they brought them out. They opened with "Up in the Dark", with Dan Bejar (unexpectedly) on lead guitar, and a CRAZY five-part harmony going on the hook. Actually, this was the formula for most of the songs they played. Insane five-part harmonies where it'd usually only be Kathryn, AC, and Kurt Dahle (the drummer)...maybe Neko if she doesn't have a broken ankle or shows with her own solo stuff or Jakob Dylan or whoever. "Testament to Youth in Verse", "Moves", and "Jackie, Dressed in Cobras" completely benefitted from this. My only gripe was that the venue cut them short. They had six other songs on the setlist in addition to what they played, and couldn't get around to it. That *would've* been a 28 song setlist that would've been another half an hour or so longer than the two hours they played!

When they come back, it will be monstrous.

Setlist:

Up in the Dark
Myriad Harbour
Use It
Crash Years
All the Old Showstoppers
Challengers
Your Hands (Together)
Testament to Youth in Verse
My Shepherd
Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk
These Are the Fables
Jackie, Dressed in Cobras
Moves
The Laws Have Changed
Adventures in Solitude
The Spirit of Giving
Mass Romantic
Silver Jenny Dollar
Sing Me Spanish Techno

Twin Cinema
Jackie
The Bleeding Hearts Show

[azaghal1981]

I'm going to bring my recorder to both shows, find AC after the 2nd night and wave it in his face mockingly and say "both shows are going up on the internet, bitchface!"


(Firebutt may expound on this if he so wishes)

[MonkeyPants]

And the reason you don't put this on your blog is?

[sweetcell]

wait - he has a blog?

[azaghal1981]

I didn't know he updated it anymore. Used to have the addy but lost it.

[HoyaSaxa03]

i'm psyched

[Thousand Made-Up Loves]

Disappointed they never play the last six songs off Twin Cinema. I know they play Streets of Fire once in a while, but those other five songs are just as incredible. Thanks for the review, looking forward to the show.

[Firebutt McGee]

Disappointed they never play the last six songs off Twin Cinema. I know they play Streets of Fire once in a while, but those other five songs are just as incredible. Thanks for the review, looking forward to the show.

Actually, funny you mention this! They soundchecked "Stacked Crooked" and "Star Bodies" right before we walked in, and AC definitely mentioned "forgetting the words" to most of his songs at points during the show. Maybe that's why he didn't play it?

[Thousand Made-Up Loves]

A live, extended version of Stacked Crooked would be worth the price of admission alone.

[Thousand Made-Up Loves]

I'm stoked. Going tomorrow night. Should be epic.

[Firebutt McGee]

Brooklyn setlist:

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-new-pornographers/2010/the-bell-house-brooklyn-ny-1bd41578.html

Kind of phenomenal! Get excited!

[Thousand Made-Up Loves]

It doesn't get much better live than It's Only Divine Right. And the new album sounds excellent live. A fine Canadian export for sure.

I'm still holding out for those second-half Twin Cinema tracks, but they get a 4/5 anyway. Who was the woman playing keyboard?

[sweetcell]

the dodos were absolutely dreadful.  bored me to tears and sapped any energy i had.  didn't get to the club in time for the dutchess and the duke.

guess i'm not a big enough NPs fan 'cause the show was merely "ok" for me.  i left before the encore(s), was too tired.  after the dodos i needed something with a little kick... NPs' set was too pretty and not enough oomph.  i was surrounded by talkers which didn't help.  the show was enjoyable and certainly had its highlights but between goldfrapp last night and SSPU tomorrow i didn't feel the need to stick this one out.  my only regret in not doing so was that i saw ixkpd-bk way up front and wanted to say hi, something i couldn't have done until the end of the show.

also, this wasn't a clutch show.

[madgypsy]

also, this wasn't a clutch show.

Good Observation!

[oso]

6/22/10 Setlist:

Sing Me Spanish Techno
Up in the Dark
Myriad Harbour
Use It
Crash Years
All the Old Showstoppers
Jackie, Dressed in Cobras
Adventures in Solitude
It's Only Divine Right
Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk
Challengers
We End Up Together
Execution Day
Go Places
Moves
Your Hands (Together)
These Are the Fables
The Laws Have Changed
Silver Jenny Dollar
Mass Romantic
The Bleeding Heart Show
---
The Slow Descent into Alcoholism
Letter from an Occupant
Testament to Youth in Verse

The woman playing keyboards is Carl's niece, Kathryn Calder.