SLCene Suggests: The New Pornographers at The Depot

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS, THE DEPOT, Friday, Oct. 10, 9 p.m., $26

Easily one of my favorite bands of the past decade, New Pornographers boasts a remarkable array of talents, led by primary songwriter A.C. Newman, who has a remarkable facility for writing insanely catchy pop-rock. He calls the band’s latest, Brill Bruisers, a “celebratory” collection that reflects on the happy places he is in his personal life. Joining him at the party are New Pornographers regulars Neko Case, Dan Bejar (aka Destroyer), Kathryn Calder, John Collins, Todd Fancey and Blaine Thurier. Now six albums in, I guess we can’t stop calling New Pornographers a side project to the members’ various solo careers and other projects, because this is a band that has developed into a power-pop machine unparalleled in modern rock. And their live shows take full advantage of the members’ unique gifts for harmonies. Consider this a must-see in SLC. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart opens the show.