The New Pornographers

As previously written, last month Melanie and I went to our first rock concert in years. One of my very favorite bands of the new century, The New Pornographers, came to Tallahassee and performed at a bar called The Moon. I’ll be honest, the concert could have been better. For starters, attendance was low, which probably lessened the energy. Second, the sound mix wasn’t phenomenal. I think the vocals could have come through a lot more nicely than they did. Third, two of the band’s foremost members, Neko Case and Dan Bejar, both of whom offer lead vocals on many New Pornographers’ songs, were absent. And finally, the band just isn’t that charismatic on stage. They didn’t engage much with the audience. (Then again, I’m accustomed to the massively entertaining concerts put on by another Canadian pop-rock band with a sexually-charged name—Barenaked Ladies.) Thankfully, I can honestly say that of the 16 songs they played live, only one isn’t a song I would claim to absolutely love … and even that one song is pretty good.

I know many people aren’t familiar with The New Pornographers. I think they’re fantastic. Their music is quirky, sometimes ornate, and yet they always retain an approachable, radio-friendly quality to their sound. My first exposure to The New Pornographers was their sophomore album, Electric Version, which upon a single listening struck me as a pop-rock masterpiece. Their fourth and fifth albums, Challengers and Together, are also near perfect in my eyes … er, ears.

In order to share my experience, and my love for The New Pornographers, with you, I’ve tracked down YouTube videos of every song that the band played at the concert I attended. I’ll share them in the same order that they played the songs at the show. Now, I fully understand that a good many of you are NOT going to listen to all of these songs. That’s absolutely fine. I would hope, however, that you’d listen to at least a few of them. (To help you choose which ones, I’ll make notes by the ones I’m especially fond of, as difficult as that will be for me to pin down.) It would be a thrill to me if some of you would comment on the songs and what you thought of them, being as specific as possible. That would show me that you really do love me. Don’t worry about watching the videos – I haven’t even watched all of these. Posting videos was simply my way of getting the songs to you. Truthfully, I’d urge you not to get distracted by the videos. Just hit ‘play’ and look away from the screen, for all I care. Some of the videos aren’t really videos, and some aren’t official videos. Have I made it clear that the videos don’t really matter here?

(NOTE: I apologize if some of the videos below force you to watch an advertisement before the song plays. Very annoying, I know. Hopefully that won’t discourage you too much.)

Moves
(from the album Together)
Note: Less straightforward rock than some of their songs, “Moves” gives you a good idea of The New Pornographers’ more complex and idiosyncratic side, what with the cello, tinkering piano, syncopated vocals, etc.


The Slow Descent Into Alcoholism
(from the album Mass Romantic)


Sing Me Spanish Techno
(from the album Twin Cinema)


Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk
(from the album Together)


Use It
(from the album Twin Cinema)


The Laws Have Changed
(from the album Electric Version)
Note: I’m tempted to recommend this one, because it was among the first New Pornographers songs I ever heard. It gives you a good feel for their more straightforward rock-pop.


Up in the Dark
(from the album Together)


Adventures in Solitude
(from the album Challengers)
Note: a beautiful song that builds and builds


Crash Years
(from the album Together)
Note: this is a very, very good one


All the Old Showstoppers
(from the album Challengers)
Note: I can only find live versions of this on YouTube, and I’m not sure any of them are worth posting. It’s a shame, because this is a really good one.

Testament to Youth in Verse
(from the album Electric Version)
Note: this will give you a good feel for Dan Bejar’s vocal stylings, though Dan wasn’t at the concert I attended.


Challengers
(from the album Challengers)
Note: this is another very good one


Your Hands (Together)
(from the album Together)


Mass Romantic
(from the album Mass Romantic)
Note: probably my least favorite song that they performed at the concert, although I like it quite well


The Bleeding Heart Show
(from the album Twin Cinema)


Letter from an Occupant
(from the album Mass Romantic)


I hope you’ve found something to enjoy. As I look back over the list, I’m not at all confident that I’ve recommended the right ones. They’re all really, really good. Comment please!