New Pornographers

They haven't quite been the same since they dropped the growling and blast beats.

Just got out of the Vancouver show. You could tell, every time, when they were playing a song from the new album. Lack of dynamics, a turgid kinda vibe, it’s just not good. The Neko replacement, when she was singing in unison with Kathryn, sounded eerily lifelike — but of course none of the stage presence and just plain old charisma and star power of Neko.

First half of the show was kinda tentative and very heavy on the new stuff. They picked up a lot toward the end, leaning more on hits (including a surprise visit from “Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk”) and ofc ending with “The Bleeding Heart Show” which ejected us from the venue in the right mood.

I don’t think they played anything from Brill Bruisers or Morse Codeat all.

Bejar showed up and sang a few — “Myriad Harbour” and “A Testament To Youth In Verse” were great — I’m really inclined to dislike him but the song choices were spot on.

There’s a new touring member, whom we dubbed “Band Camp”, didn’t catch her name, playing saxophone & keys & flute. She looked like she was terrified of making a mistake.

Overall it was a careful and well constructed show, with flashes of glory — mostly concentrated in the songs from the first 4 albums. Not sad I went at all, but a very different thing than it was 20 years ago (obv to be expected).

Still the best power pop band ever, fite me about it.

no need to fite, you are correct

if you didn't, scroll up and see the convo from May about them. i think this is just the NPs experience now.

I saw them live in Baltimore in… 2001, I think? Still one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen. But not sure if I would go today, haven’t really kept up.