CONCERT REVIEW: The New Pornographers @ The Trocadero, 6/21

The Web site for the award-winning alternative weekly, the Philadelphia City Paper.

0 comments

CONCERT REVIEW: The New Pornographers @ The Trocadero, 6/21

POSTED: Tuesday, June 22, 2010, 9:00 PM

Filed Under: Music | Concert Review concert photos

Photos | Brian Howard

Yes, I may have hinted back when I reviewed The New Pornographers' new album Together that maybe this brilliant Brill Building-esque formula Carl "A.C." Newman, Neko Case, Dan Bejar, Blaine Thurier, Kathryn Calder et al have cooked up for crafting swelling, soaring pop songs was becoming kinda formulaic. And, I stand behind that. But consider: There's no shame in producing consistently solid work. I think they used to call it craftsmanship. In olden times, people were rewarded for it. The band's skill was on display Monday night at The Trocadero (a venue that might now be a tad too small for the indie supergroup's huge crowds) as the 10-member band — haltingly at first, more fluidly later — charged through a 19-song set capped by a three-song encore that showed off just how deep the group's book of truly hooky singalongs has become. Deftly mixing six songs (the first six, actually) from Together into a set that included such favorites as set-opener "Sing Me Spanish Techno," "Myriad Harbor," "The Laws Have Changed," "Mass Romantic" and the main set finale "The Bleeding Heart Show," Newman and co. demonstrated that the new numbers don't necessarily stand out from the band's catalog, and that that is actally a strength. Case vehicle "Crash Years," Bejar weirdo "Silver Jenny Dollar," Newman crooner "Moves" and the company fronts "Your Hands (Together)" and "Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk" are all top-notch additions to the band's aforementioned four main song categories. And that Newman's able to distract Case and Bejar (who this night proudly clutched a Yuengling Lager whenever he wasn't holding a guitar) from their solo careers to tour every few years is a definite treat (though Bejar retreats back stage during songs he's not playing/singing, ostensibly to record new Destroyer tracks). After "Twin Cinema," someone in the crowd called a song request. "Did you just request a song we already played by an incorrect name?" Newman chided. "Do 'They're playing it on both screens.'" After laughter from crowd and stage, Newman added, "You seem incapable of doing anything right at the moment," before the band botched the start of "My Shepherd." On a hot night in a hotter venue, the band began it's encore with the low-key "Challengers." After breaths had been caught, Newman espoused that the next song was important to him, filled with things he believed deeply in and cared about, then launched into Mass Romantic's "The Slow Descent into Alcoholism." Then Bejar made his way on stage and the band closed with Electric Version's perfect, numbing "Testament To Youth in Verse," the chorus of "The bells ring no no no no, no no no no, no no no" echoing into the hot, stuffy night. Setlist after the jump 1. Sing Me Spanish Techno 2. [missed this song] 3. Myriad Harbor 4. Use It 5. Crash Years 6. Jackie Dressed in Cobras 7. Adventures in Solitude 8. Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk 9. Go Places 10. All the Old Showstoppers 11. Visualize Success Jackie 12. The Laws Have Changed 13. Moves 14. Your Hands (Together) 15. Twin Cinema 16. My Shepherd 17. Silver Jenny Dollar 18. Mass Romantic 19. The Bleeding Heart Show Encore: 20. Challengers 21. The Slow Descent into Alcoholism 22. Testament To Youth In Verse

Dave

Posted 2010-06-22 16:48:33

Speaking of calling things by the wrong name, what you refer to as "Visualize Success" is actually Mass Romantic's "Jackie". Pot, meet kettle.  :-)

Brian Howard

Posted 2010-06-22 17:30:43

Good catch Dave. Y'know, that may even have been the song that was erroneously called for. Though I would like clarify that I was not my intent to chide people who shout out wrong song names — that was all A.C. I found it an amusing exchange and  I think Newman made it abundantly clear that such gamesmanship is dangerous territory indeed. Let's take my little gaffe as an object lesson the folly of those in glass houses throwing stones (and perhaps of the importance of double checking song names, even on the interwebs).

Scooter

Posted 2010-06-22 19:01:29

Do not mess with Neko Case:

http://3.ly/nekocase

Arrrggghhh

Posted 2010-06-23 01:55:47

Though it seemed the band was a little out of focus - they sounded fantastic. I've been a fan for many years - yet this was the first time I have seen all members perform together. So I've a question maybe someone can answer: Does Dan Bejar always leave when he doesn't do vocals?

brian howard

Posted 2010-06-23 15:55:03

@Arrggghhh: I don't recall whether Bejar disappeared between his songs way back in the day, but I do distinctly recall him doing that the last time they played the Troc back in 2007.

JawnyB

Posted 2010-06-25 12:35:39

Speaking as a musician and songwriter, there isn't another band that consistently knocks me out like the NPs. Your defense of the "craft" is spot on, Brian. Newman has heavily influenced me with his multilevel orchestrations and harmonies that never feel over-produced. In spite of the ungodly heat that night, every song was an overwhelming masterpiece. BTW, the second song they did was "Up In The Dark", my favorite song off their new album.

Brian Howard

Posted 2010-06-25 18:07:00

@jawnyb: Thanks for the assist with the second song. Was working my way closer to the stage for taking pics and completely missed it.

Posted by Brian Howard @ 9:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

0 comments

Previous Story: TRAILER!: The Green Hornet

Next Story: GET LIT (ALL WEEK LONG): Win a copy of The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains

Comments (0)

Q&A with SHARI SOLANIS: "The goal isn't pornography"
What we're trying to do this weekend
SEXY TIME Q&A: I've never had an orgasm during sex with a man — and I'm 30!
Coming soon to Philly: Two cockamamie movie promotion schemes
Q&A with Tony Goldwyn: "Life is gray, and relationships are, too"
ICE CUBE: In Memoriam: Joe Tartaglia
CONCERT REVIEW: Primus (3D & quadraphonic sound) @ The Tower 10/17
NOW SEE THIS: Transit cop arrests marijuana activist for alleged disorderly conduct.
ICEPACK ILLUSTRATED: The Archbishop meets the Geator, the Mayor goes suit shopping, Le Bec Fin fin.
NOW SEE THIS: Tim and Eric direct Terry Crews for Old Spice

About this blog

Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

Follow Critical Mass editors Patrick Rapa and Emily Guendelsberger on Twitter:

@mission2denmark | @emilygee

Search this blog:

Topics:

Blog archives:

May
April
March

February
January

Past Archives: