I think the new album is the best the band has put out since Electric Version. I don't mean this as a knock on the other albums; I love them all. It's just that Brill Bruisers feel very close to their early style, which is the one I fell in love with when I discovered them.
I grew up in the Vancouver area, just a few clicks north on Highway 99 from Carl. But I had no idea about this band until, in 2003, I stopped in Seattle on a road trip on a sad pursuit of a failed love affair, and found Electric Version in the EMP gift shop. That was on repeat in my Pontiac Sunfire all the way to San Diego and back. Ever since, they've been my favourite band. I don't usually bother with live music as I can't stand crowds, but I've made an exception three times to see them play live at the Commodore, each time better than the last. This performance is even better than any of those shows, highlighting the ray power, diversity, and talent of what I feel is Canada's greatest living band.
I really miss Kurt. I think this was his last performance with the band. I don't know why he left, but I think he was part of the "secret sauce" that they had. Don't get me wrong, Jon is a fantastic drummer, but he doesn't bring the personality Kurt had on the drums.
Please fire these people. "Audio Engineers: Dan Seiders, Kevin Wait" One of the best things about the New Pornographers are their awesome singers and especially on songs like The Laws Have Changed you can barely hear Neko at all when she's trying to belt out the chorus. :(
Seriously, the balance is completely off on Bill Bruisers (keyboards super loud), and guitars are really too loud compared to voices. Voices balances is completely wrong too; Neko and Carl are mixed too low, and I would have also mixed the backup singer voice down; no offense to her but she shouldn't be louder than Kathryn Calder.
Omg yes. I knew she was way down in the mix, but when they got to The Laws Have Changed it became obvious she basically wasn’t on at all. It’s funny that the host talked about how good the sound check was. He obviously didn’t mean the actual sound mix. Lol.
I am choosing this as the supremely proven method to effect change through expressing my outrage that this free concert video clip was not up to my standards! Kudos to the camera direction for sticking with the artist expressed attention to camel toe by use of subtle close up, and inspiring product placement of Stella Artois. Outraged! Once I monetize my youtube, this sort of chicanery will be outlawed by decree. Outraged!
This is so amazing to have new and old members all together! I've seen them once with Neko, and once without, never with Dan... Could this be remixed and released somewhere??? Aside from some mix level issues, this is so amazing!
At a time that I was losing faith in the reality that any music would hereafter appeal to me in the same magnitude as the bands of my youth, along came the New Pornographers, and my faith was restored.
Heather Lambert About four years ago but I hadn't really heard them, other than Use It being the theme for Jian Ghomeshi's old show on CBC Newsworld, Play.
So have you heard of Flipron before? They've been around since 2003 at least and are still a pretty small band but I do enjoy their music. Yeah, different tastes... But still, maybe you'd like them? They're not as vocal as TNP but still. I think they're to somewhat biblical proportions in lyrical subject. Recommended first listens: Book Of Lies The Comet Returns Dreams of Wealth and Power
Can anybody tell what the white pedal is that AC Newman is using? There's a few pretty good shots of his pedalboard during the show. I see he's using a Boss tuner, a EH Micro Pog, and a Boss tremolo. But then there's a smallish (MXR size) white pedal with only a couple of knobs on it. I'm guessing some kind of overdrive or distortion?
I suspect a lot of the sound problems were a result of the room which was apparently an impromptu set up in some vacant space. There's a lot going on mike wise so I would guess this was a bitch to get good sound. This is a pretty complex band. Great songs, musicianship and vocals. As this was an NPR broadcast I'd say that "all things considered….".
+you can't leave this empty every time I saw them in concert I'd find myself watching Kurt half the time. Not only is he a phenomenal drummer, but he's just so entertaining to watch.
the "dominant" singer in the polka-dot blouse was clearly a short timer, her name appears to be Lindsay "Coco" Hames...they sound much better, and have more arrangement options, with Simi now!!
One of my favourite bands. Thanks for posting! A bit disappointed that you can't really hear the melodica in Bleeding Heart Show though. Anyone knows who is the lady in the dotted blue blouse? Is she a new member? Forgive my ignorance.
Yeah I don't normally comment on things like sound mixing, but this is bad...Coco is too loud while Kathryn and Neko are sometimes inaudible...too bad because it's really a pretty great performance.
The mixing is very bad, you can't hear the harmonica on Myriad Harbour and Kathryn who's second voice on Dancehall Domine is also inaudible. The energy kinda makes it up for it. That and Newman's jokes.
On a rewatch I don't think anyone was playing harmonica in this show but yeah you can't hear Kathryn and Neko at times and the woodblock is too low on the mix
Love this band....! Love this clip....! BUT....Not nearly enough focus on Kathryn Calder...She is so talented and my absolute fav!...Not to mention HOT as well!!
She turned down an offer from Playboy once. She didn't want to be thought of primarily as a nude model who also played some music. Later, she didn't want to talk about it.
Wow this is a bad mix. The background vocals are way too loud and off key. I can't even hear the lead female and the keyboards are way too loud. I hope it gets better or I am going to bed... Wow, now the vocals are way too loud. This is horrible. The crowd should get its money back...
Michael Nicholson Dunno if the crowd heard the same thing as is on this recording, sometimes they don't. At least anyone learning the songs can possibly hear them from another angle.
This band is so awesome, what an undiscovered treasure they are!!!
They were one of the absolute best of the 2000s.
The best pop band in the world. No question.
Thanks! Superb to see the gang altogether rocking out!
I think the new album is the best the band has put out since Electric Version. I don't mean this as a knock on the other albums; I love them all. It's just that Brill Bruisers feel very close to their early style, which is the one I fell in love with when I discovered them.
Man you are right on my wavelength
yes ten years on I think the Brill Bruisers record is their best
It's been said before, but I just gotta add another comment on how the sound guy did Neko dirty
the actual instruments are way too loud compared to the vocals, even A.C. could've been louder
One of my favorites since Mass Romantic. It's nice seeing Coco with them.
This is a very high quality record. That dude Newman really has some cool songs.
This is one of my favourite live shows in the whole world.
Wonderful
Just saw these guys in Seattle a couple weeks back. Amazing, fun show. Love these guys
This is just incredibly fantastic!! Love it!!!
i saw them in phili yesterday and it was amazing! best first concert ever
immensely talented bamd. excellent rock and roll!
Any band that has a guitarist with a grey beard is always worth watching. Really enjoyed watching this.
John is the man. He does it all... engineer, bassist, producer, and apparently he can skateboard.
What a great band!
Fantastic from start to finish!
I’ve watched this loads.
Neko’s mic should have been louder.
Coco’s mic is too loud.
One of the best shows ever at the Wiltern last nite !!!!!
First time exposed ...wow...they remind me of Arcade Fire...Brilliant musicianship wonderful entertainment....Thank you for posting.
Awesome, thank you for posting!
I grew up in the Vancouver area, just a few clicks north on Highway 99 from Carl. But I had no idea about this band until, in 2003, I stopped in Seattle on a road trip on a sad pursuit of a failed love affair, and found Electric Version in the EMP gift shop. That was on repeat in my Pontiac Sunfire all the way to San Diego and back. Ever since, they've been my favourite band. I don't usually bother with live music as I can't stand crowds, but I've made an exception three times to see them play live at the Commodore, each time better than the last. This performance is even better than any of those shows, highlighting the ray power, diversity, and talent of what I feel is Canada's greatest living band.
Love the reference to the humble brag. RIP Harris Wittels
Fantastic show. Thanks for uploading but too bad about Niko's mike at first.
Nice to see this whole set. Thanks NPR! Great product placement for Stella Artois on Testatment....
What a great set. I wish they could fix the sound.
I really miss Kurt. I think this was his last performance with the band. I don't know why he left, but I think he was part of the "secret sauce" that they had. Don't get me wrong, Jon is a fantastic drummer, but he doesn't bring the personality Kurt had on the drums.
What am I thankful for, this season? Why, the New Pornographers, of course. Great show!
Neko's mic should have been louder. Still, another great performance.
She still blasted through, what a great performer.
It's a tragedy it wasn't. Testament to her talent that she still shone.
Please fire these people. "Audio Engineers: Dan Seiders, Kevin Wait" One of the best things about the New Pornographers are their awesome singers and especially on songs like The Laws Have Changed you can barely hear Neko at all when she's trying to belt out the chorus. :(
+sgbassman7546 I hope those engineers took note and learned something important.
Seriously, the balance is completely off on Bill Bruisers (keyboards super loud), and guitars are really too loud compared to voices. Voices balances is completely wrong too; Neko and Carl are mixed too low, and I would have also mixed the backup singer voice down; no offense to her but she shouldn't be louder than Kathryn Calder.
For real. Ahh!
PS--
Brill Bruisers is a great CD!
What a catalog these guys have!
Miss you forever, Kurt Dahle.
What this sound engineer has done to Neko Case is criminal.
She was destroyed, to be sure. She IS the band's entire sound. Unparalleled.
Carl is the band's sound...
Sound dude missed Kathryn Calder too
Omg yes. I knew she was way down in the mix, but when they got to The Laws Have Changed it became obvious she basically wasn’t on at all. It’s funny that the host talked about how good the sound check was. He obviously didn’t mean the actual sound mix. Lol.
seriously, how did that make it past an NPR production. didn't they listen back in the studio when they mixed this before posting. hmm
AWESOMENESS.
I am choosing this as the supremely proven method to effect change through expressing my outrage that this free concert video clip was not up to my standards! Kudos to the camera direction for sticking with the artist expressed attention to camel toe by use of subtle close up, and inspiring product placement of Stella Artois. Outraged! Once I monetize my youtube, this sort of chicanery will be outlawed by decree. Outraged!
This is so amazing to have new and old members all together! I've seen them once with Neko, and once without, never with Dan... Could this be remixed and released somewhere??? Aside from some mix level issues, this is so amazing!
I’ve seen them once and it was with Neko AND Dan. I didn’t realize at the time how lucky I was.
Don't you all forget Katryn Calder. She is the singer of the band.
i've met her a few times and well... smitten!
At a time that I was losing faith in the reality that any music would hereafter appeal to me in the same magnitude as the bands of my youth, along came the New Pornographers, and my faith was restored.
Did you just discover them recently or when they started? They have been around for quite a while...
Heather Lambert About four years ago but I hadn't really heard them, other than Use It being the theme for Jian Ghomeshi's old show on CBC Newsworld, Play.
So have you heard of Flipron before? They've been around since 2003 at least and are still a pretty small band but I do enjoy their music. Yeah, different tastes... But still, maybe you'd like them? They're not as vocal as TNP but still. I think they're to somewhat biblical proportions in lyrical subject.
Recommended first listens:
Book Of Lies
The Comet Returns
Dreams of Wealth and Power
Austin Lucas longer than 03...
Todd Fancey does some fancy work on his guitar drives the music well !
wow good new stuff....sounds great
and three lovely female singers.
Mr B.
Neko Rocks!
This was so goooood!!
Dan Bejar is such a diva haha
Gila nemu komen sigit disini wkwk
neko's pants are fucking amazing. gotta love NPR!!
How in the world is Bleeding Heart show an "obscure oldie that is rarely played'? That is one hell of a song!
welcome to Carl's dry sense of humor
My favorite New Porn song.
I remember when they did this - I wish I could have been there, but in a way I was
This band is played on kalx from uc Berkeley
sounds like a more friendly pixies to me.
How did they not name this band 'The Gingers'?
I have a serious crush on the girl in white and black outfit
Ni-Fi Festival in Sparta, Kentucky, on August 30.
Dan is the best
Can anybody tell what the white pedal is that AC Newman is using? There's a few pretty good shots of his pedalboard during the show. I see he's using a Boss tuner, a EH Micro Pog, and a Boss tremolo. But then there's a smallish (MXR size) white pedal with only a couple of knobs on it. I'm guessing some kind of overdrive or distortion?
53:27 Bleeding heart show
Why are the vocals so quiet
I suspect a lot of the sound problems were a result of the room which was apparently an impromptu set up in some vacant space. There's a lot going on mike wise so I would guess this was a bitch to get good sound. This is a pretty complex band. Great songs, musicianship and vocals. As this was an NPR broadcast I'd say that "all things considered….".
11:05 SOOOOO Keith Moon lol (-:
+you can't leave this empty every time I saw them in concert I'd find myself watching Kurt half the time. Not only is he a phenomenal drummer, but he's just so entertaining to watch.
Bob, do you really think this is their best album? This is a KILLER record, but those first three are untouchable.
Also Sweet Talk Sweet Talk sounds even better as well
the "dominant" singer in the polka-dot blouse was clearly a short timer, her name appears to be Lindsay "Coco" Hames...they sound much better, and have more arrangement options, with Simi now!!
Hey 29:30, a good song! Too bad the chick's vocals are too low- the song is better on
record...
One of my favourite bands. Thanks for posting! A bit disappointed that you can't really hear the melodica in Bleeding Heart Show though. Anyone knows who is the lady in the dotted blue blouse? Is she a new member? Forgive my ignorance.
here name is coco and she's from the Ettes facebook.com/TheEttes
Thank you for your response. I will have to check out The Ettes now! :-)
Yeah I don't normally comment on things like sound mixing, but this is bad...Coco is too loud while Kathryn and Neko are sometimes inaudible...too bad because it's really a pretty great performance.
I wish Bob Boilen was my cool, weird uncle.
If you want to see what the first and last day of a sound engineer looks like!
Oh, I hope so. Somebody must've peed in his Wheaties that morning, so he took it out on the world's ears.
I think everyone wants the live album.
Who is the third female singer. Neko Case, Kathryn Calder and ......?
Coco Hames :-)
It is Indie ladies only who can totally rock the tambourines.
bejar is there.
Twin Cinema somehow sounds even better live
Could use a better mix, barely hear Neko and Kathryn Calder's vocals. And who is the other girl singer?
Coco from The Ettes. She destroys.
That's so beta.
A poor mix here but a great reminder of how great this band was when they still had Kurt Dahle.
is that COCO?
When was this show?
In 2014, when the "Brill Bruisers" album came out.
The mixing is very bad, you can't hear the harmonica on Myriad Harbour and Kathryn who's second voice on Dancehall Domine is also inaudible. The energy kinda makes it up for it. That and Newman's jokes.
On a rewatch I don't think anyone was playing harmonica in this show but yeah you can't hear Kathryn and Neko at times and the woodblock is too low on the mix
was hoping they'd do champions of red wine or marching orders :(
NPR used to be one of the best live sound... what happened?
criminally underusing Neko Case. wtf
Mix is off on the title track, painful...otherwise some very fine pop.
Tune that fxxxing guitar! (6.00)
It's a shame Neko is barely audible.
Love this band....! Love this clip....! BUT....Not nearly enough focus on Kathryn Calder...She is so talented and my absolute fav!...Not to mention HOT as well!!
Neko's hawt.
Kathryn C TOO!
She turned down an offer from Playboy once. She didn't want to be thought of primarily as a nude model who also played some music. Later, she didn't want to talk about it.
Currently in love with all 3 females on the front line here. Who is this new firecracker? British?
5:45
Should have Kathryn joint lead singer she's way better than those other two!!!
Testament to Youth in Verse. The no chorus.
A Canadian choir.
I'm a fan of the NP, but they seem kind of uptight.
Who/whomever mixed this thing should not be mixing. Keyboard blasting over everything...feedback all over the place. Hard to listen to.
Poorly filmed, too. Apparently only half of the band were deemed worthy of being seen.
The crowd seems half-frozen and unresponsive. I guess they need blood spattered in their faces to keep them from yawning.
The sound is terrible.
Wow this is a bad mix. The background vocals are way too loud and off key. I can't even hear the lead female and the keyboards are way too loud. I hope it gets better or I am going to bed... Wow, now the vocals are way too loud. This is horrible. The crowd should get its money back...
Michael Nicholson Dunno if the crowd heard the same thing as is on this recording, sometimes they don't. At least anyone learning the songs can possibly hear them from another angle.
Wow, they butchered their signature song. I sure won't be checking them out at the festival, let me tell you...
Let’s just take the best part of this band and put it on mute 🙄🤦🏽♀️
And what's the deal with Bolin and like Carole King? It's real embarrassing...
Not that familiar with this band... they seem like the B-52's for the next generation...
Eh? Come now...
Worst live performance I have ever heard....
sorry but this is awful
haha k.
COCO HAMES