New Pornographers

I saw the New Pornographers on Monday night at the Orpheum on State Street.  For those not aware, the New Pornographers are a “super group” (a bunch of solo artists) from Vancouver.  Their first three albums were filled with raucous, upbeat and thoroughly infectious ditties.  Their most recent album – not so much.  So I put off going until the very last minute when my friend Pete basically forced me to go, for which I am grateful.  The first band, Okkervil River was great, thus my appreciation to Pete, who bought one of their albums so I look forward to hearing it.  However the New Pornographers were thoroughly disappointing and it’s hard to put my finger on why.  They seemed to be putting in the effort, but they just trucked from song to song.  It felt like they were phoning it in.  I also imagine that the absence of two major parts of the band (Neko Case and Dan Bejar) were also to blame.  Regardless, my sense is that the New Pornographers are done.  Their albums and now their concerts seem to lack “it”, whatever “it” is.  It was fun while it lasted and at least they played their songs I liked most.