The Return of the Prodigal Daughter

New Pornographers Play Philadelphia With -- Sigh -- Neko Case in Tow

HER VOCALS turn New Pornographers from a decent band to a very good one, but Neko Case (on whom I have a wicked vocal crush) has found success as a solo artist, so when tickets for last weekend's NP show went on sale over the summer, I took a pass, featuring she'd be off somewhere else doing her own thing. Then I read Sam Adams's review of the show in yesterday's Inquirer and came across this:

... [A]fter the August release of Challengers, their fourth album, both Case and [Dan] Bejar were back in the fold, although Bejar was constantly drifting on and off stage, beer in hand, like a mad genius wandering in off the street. ...

Although they're occasionally more clever than smart, the New Pornographers' best songs strike a perfect balance between insidious catchiness and passionate enigma. The fact that Newman's lyrics sometimes verge on the indecipherable doesn't make them any less enjoyable to belt out. As the band closed its set with "The Bleeding Heart Show," Case's voice rang out over a chorus of ooos and hey las, belting out the phrase "We have arrived." There was no reason to disagree with her.

I'd say that counts as a missed opportunity. Come back, guys -- and bring Neko with you.