Monday, April 27

The New Pornographers are playing El Club in Detroit. I last saw them in 2014 on the Brill Bruisers tour and I'm surprised how much better they sound tonight in a smaller venue with a retooled lineup. Dan Bejar is no longer with them, so I don't expect to hear any of his songs. As usual, the excellent Kathryn Calder handles Neko Case's parts on stage, along with all her own vocal contributions and the lion's share of the keyboard parts. Joining her is newcomer Jess Nolan who sings lead on a couple songs, plays additional keys, and melodica. The other new touring member is drummer Joshua Wells from Destroyer and Black Mountain. 

I was a big fan of original drummer Kurt Dahle and missed the entire Joe Seiders era — probably for the best, given his disgraced exit. The New Pornographers are a rhythmic powerhouse with technically challenging parts, not just for the drums, but vocally and instrumentally. Wells is a perfect fit — a hard-hitter with a deep rock vocabulary and infectious energy that propels the whole band. Nolan, for her part, steals the show a couple times and compliments Calder's voice well. Carl Newman's songwriting is the backbone. Packed in a sweaty room a few feet from the stage, I feel the old magic as they rip through "Use It," "The Laws Have Changed," and "The Bleeding Heart Show."