The New Pornographers/ Even/ We Grow Up
Friday 10 October
The Governor Hindmarsh


Used to be that rock'n'roll meant waiting long past the advertised times for bands to get their shit together and on stage. Informed that the first of the three bands was onstage at 8.30 I thought getting there just after 9 would mean a chance of seeing their last song, to get a taste of new Adelaide popsters We Grow Up. Approaching the Gov I was hopeful, as bass sounds could be heard down the block, though my better informed companion rightly identified Even as being on stage. It was grand to see this classic 'sixties-inspired three-piece back on the stage, but disappointing to catch only a couple of songs. Even still have the energy of the confident, well loved Aussie trio that they always have been. The set ended at about 9.30 - the time I thought they were to start!

The New Pornographers were numbering only six on this occasion, and the notable absence of Neko Case was initially a disappointment. It soon became clear that Kathryn Calder, a more consistent member of the group, was able to adequately fill Neko's formidable shoes in the vocal department though, in addition to her duties on keyboards and tambourine.

There was hardly time to dwell on the line up, who looked for all the world like a bunch of school teachers, albeit nerdy, likable ones. The New Pornographers belted through a number of tunes from their prodigious alt-pop catalogue before pausing to greet the audience, which was just fine. The bulk of these were drawn from their most recent albums 'Challengers' (2007) and 'Twin Cinema' (2005).

In no particular order All Of The Things That Go To Make Heaven And Earth, My Rights Versus Yours, Mutiny I Promise You, Use It, Twin Cinema, Three or Four, Star Bodies all came out in the first half of the set.

The solid, but not too crowded audience loved all of the familiar, dense melodies and harmonies. With two sets of keys and two guitarists and more often than not more than one vocal part, The New Pornographers achieve a rich and layered sound, and I was reminded of the debt lead songwriter AC Newman has to Brian Wilson.

The sound was managed well though at times the vocal did get a little swamped. Later favourites were Sing Me Spanish Techno, Bones Of An Idol, and Testament To Youth In Verse, while the first encore was an inspired version of ELO's Don't Bring Me Down, which was very well received and did not sound out of place, their thick sound serving the rhythmic melody very well.

Being cheered back for a second time, they introduced some older stuff in the form of Letter From An Occupant - "from the first thing we ever recorded". Another diamond tune, and quite impressive for a bunch of nerdy school teachers!

Narelle Walker

Pic: Julie Richards