#soundcheck: canadian alt-rockers the dears leak tracks from their new live album/docu, ‘never destroy us’

The Dears’ new live album (their fourth) was recorded at the Pasaguero nightclub in Mexico City. If the leaked unmixed songs are any indication, the full set will draw heavily from their 2011 release Degeneration Street. The long-running band is tight as ever, with a touch of indie jangle, you know, to keep it authentic. Like their previous live records, they play around with their own songs, stretching Degeneration Street’s lead single “Omega Dog” through waves of feedback and delay.

+ Preview more tracks for a limited time: http://music.cbc.ca/play/artist/The-Dears/Thrones-LIVE

Band leader Murray Lightburn’s voice sounds strained at times, but anyone looking for a polished performance should probably not be listening to live albums. Unless you’re into the kind of band who just lip syncs anyway. (In which case, why? …That’s not rhetorical…) The songs feature a return of former members, and the 6-person line-up clearly have retained their chemistry. The crowd singalongs bring “5 Chords” to life. While the deconstructed “Thrones” showcases a band equally good at bringing the pop hooks as they are at creating dense ambient textures live.
The full record doesn’t have an official release date yet, but the CBC (Canadian Broadcast Company) is showing a documentary directed by Lightburn which features live footage from the Mexico City residency that produced the record.

– Words by Nathan Leigh

“Never Destroy Us: The Dears At Pasaguero: A “no-budget” documentary film chronicling the long winding path of The Dears, from their orch-pop roots in 1995 Montreal to premiering all new works, and an all-star line-up in Mexico City, 2010. The Documentary will be available for online viewing (restricted to Canada only) via the CBC website as of July 30, 2012. The Canada-wide TV broadcast is slated for Fall/Winter 2012 (date TBA).”