New Pornographers Headline @ Webster Hall, October 24

New Pornographers played with the thoughtless competence that comes from lots of practice. A self-styled Bob Dylan In A Caftan randomly appeared throughout the set. Feedback followed the dude wherever he went, but the very tall people blocking my view cheered anyway.

Neko took herself seriously. She had three monitors trained on her plus a wireless earpiece. She also carried on a lengthy conversation with the sound guy using a well-developed system of lively hand signals and irritated body tics. Based on her attire and general demeanor, she may have mistakenly believed she was in a recording studio, not on a stage. That would explain a lot.

And there sure were a lot of people up there with indeterminate functionality. Two girls in the back kibitzed and hair flipped for maybe 40 minutes before one of them whipped out a flute and I realized her Previously Hidden Talent.

I don't know what I was expecting and I think the soundman maybe should be thrown out on his petard because the volumes were wack. I'd give the show about a limp 2 out of 5 stars. Disappointing, because I dig the NP albums. Although maybe I like them better ambiently and while sitting down.