It seems a chain reaction of critic prejudice over the New Porns' latest album, Challengers, has created a collective image of the band that paints them as dull, quiet and boring. Sure, there are a few slow tracks on their new disc, but isn't that the way all their albums have been (Mass Romantic aside, perhaps)?
This firestorm of resentment from writers (who likely haven't yet seen the band on their Challengers tour) had me thinking I'd be attending a New Snore-nographers show, but the journalists couldn't have missed the mark by more if they'd been writing with their eyes closed.
Carl Newman and company absolutely blew the lid off of Toronto's Phoenix night club. Their more energetic tracks exploded from the stage and the slower numbers were a nice break from the strobe lights and a chance for Neko Case and Dan Bejar to showcase their vocal abilities. Newman has said he sees more epic tracks like Challengers' "Unguided" being the norm for his band in the future, which means even more spectacular live creations are to come.
The only thing that kept this from achieving perfect-night status, was the venue's ridiculous drinking policies.
(4.5/5)
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