Two issues keeping this show from being a classic:

1) The 5-minute waits between songs

and

2) All of the new(-er) songs

When they actually played songs that people had heard before, the place was electric. For too much of the time, however, it felt sloppy and frankly, boring. At least hook us up with some banter or something.

They shined when they could get their crap together, but also figgeted a lot with their equipment, as usual, and worried about tweaking it instead of just playing it, but that could be just because they’re F-C. These first-timers kept tripping over the anticipation. They picked themselves up well each time though. For most of the show, the band built up the repair of a synthesizer by fracturing the intro of “I’ll Believe In Anything” until at the end of the main set, they finally kicked the riff in and squeezed the song like a plump, juicy orange.

When they were on, they were on, and brought a ton of life. Wolf Parade slapped around “Dear Sons & Daughters…”, blasted “You are a Runner…”, crept through “Dinner Bells” and finished the whole thing by jackhammering “This Heart’s On Fire” to a friendly crowd. Dante DeCaro added some slick angling to the live sound. The new tracks were smoother and more sweeping, but still retaining their jagged edge around the periphery. During one of them, the band had the audience turn around completely so we could be “surprised” by when it crashed in. It was fun, dumb, and sincere.

It couldn’t have hurt to play more familiar tunes, seeing as this is the first time they’ve played Boston. The crowd appreciated their talent, despite their technical issues, and we all pretty much had a great time. It was hard not to rock along with them – they’ve got legit moxy and presence. They did their own sound great justice. Just work out The Kinks. Nip.

Related: PopMontreal’s Montreal review

A blogger’s Chicago review / another / another