When: November 9th, 2010
Where: The Zoo, Brisbane QLD
The New Pornographers have always been a band I've missed seeing live for one reason or another (certainly not by choice), so when the news of an Australian tour found its way to the local street press it was certainly welcoming on my behalf.
The Vancouver collective are a busy bunch. With various (and may I say very successful) side-projects, a lot of time is exhausted for respective band members tending to these responsibilities (AC Newman, Neko Case and Dan Bejar the main culprits). The stunning factor out all of this is the band's ability to get together every couple of years and knock out a long player. With the above mentioned elements to take into consideration, it's a minor miracle that these instances materialise.
Together is an album that I will respect this band for and not for the obvious reasons. I guess the fact that - in my opinion - as an album, Challengers was such a weak affair and given the particular stage the band were at, it would've been luxurious for them to just fade away like so many bands do these days into the bellows of mediocrity. However, they've proved me wrong in releasing an opus that definitely shapes up alongside their finest works, thus far.
In the live arena they are as much a pleasure to hold an ear to as it is in your lounge room on a Saturday morning. 'Sing Me Spanish Techno' kicks off the night in oozing power pop fashion and to my total surprise (yes, despite the modern age I'm still apposed to checking out set lists prior to the show). The rest of the material off the seminal Twin Cinema album is delivered with a hint looseness and just plain rocking sensibility. 'The Bleeding Heart Show' was definite highlight of the night, delivered with emphatic virtuosity by each band member, encapsulating The New Pornographers psyche as formidably beautiful.
A good spread from Mass Romantic, Electric Version and Challengers also saw the light of day with 'The Laws Have Changes, 'All the Showstoppers', 'Execution Day', 'The Slow Descent into Alcoholism' and 'Challengers' all being notable standouts, while 'Moves', 'Crash Years' and 'Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk' are now worthy additions to the band's catalogue of work on the back of the new album.
Although they failed to unleash - in my opinion - arguably their finest song in 'The Bones of An Idol' it was a thoroughly enjoyable set like all good pop shows should be. Despite the notable jet lag from Neko Case and some rugged stage banter by AC Newman (the quizzing of Brisbane bands aside), this didn't buffer the overall performance of a band that should be held in a far higher esteem in the ranks of modern day music. Still, for their own reasons, I'm sure most are content with the position The New Pornographers currently hold.
Words by Simon K
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