The New Pornographers latest release Brill Bruisers is an extremely well crafted album of indie rock songs built with smart, strong, pop melodies. I feel like people weren’t talking about it enough through the year, and it seems to be missing on a lot of best of 2014 lists. With that said, it’s been a album I’ve been spinning non-stop since its August release date.
I finally caught the indie super-group over the summer at their secret show at The Brill Building where they celebrated the album’s release. They made their live return to NYC on November 17 where they played Hammerstein Ballroom.
They brought along The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart for the ride, who also released a new album this year. Elspeth Vance (cousin of frontman Kip Berman) is currently on tour with them, with Drew Citron very busy at the moment with Beverly. It was odd to see them in such a huge place, but they were sharp as usual, filling out the room with tracks old and new.
When this show was announced, I thought Hammerstein was a pretty large place for The New Pornographers. Not that they don’t deserve it. They’ve release 6 fantastic records over their impressive 15-year career. But even so, it just felt like a weird place to see them. They proved me wrong from the opening bits of “Brill Bruisers,” which soared out of the speakers, knocking the crowd off their feet. That was followed by Dan Bejar coming out for an outstanding performance of “Myriad Harbour.”
We were lucky to have the full New Pornographers lineup out there (minus recently departed drummer Kurt Dahle of course), even if Bejar would only come on stage for his songs. They played a delightfully lengthy 27-song set of tracks from all parts of their career. A.C Newman and Neko Case lead the charge vocally, but it was Kathryn Calder who stole many moments away with some really tender moments.
Not many groups can, or will, achieve the level of quality and longevity that The New Pornographers have. Getting to see them perform live will always be a treat. If you have yet to see them live, go correct that the next chance you get.
Photos and setlist posted below.
Setlist:
1. Brill Bruisers
2. Myriad Harbour
3. Moves
4. War On the East Coast
5. Sing Me Spanish Techno
6. Crash Years
7. All the Old Showstoppers
8. Jackie, Dressed in Cobras
9. Another Drug Deal of the Heart
10. The Laws Have Changed
11. You Tell Me Where
12. Testament to Youth in Verse
13. Wide Eyes
14. Marching Orders
15. Adventures in Solitude
16. Jackie
17. Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk
18. Backstairs
19. Silver Jenny Dollar
20. Champions of Red Wine
21. Born With a Sound
22. Mass Romantic
Encore:
23. Challengers
24. Dancehall Domine
25. The Bleeding Heart Show
Encore 2:
26. Use It
27. The Slow Descent Into Alcoholism
The New Pornographers:
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart:
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