Parquet Courts @ The Kazimier, Liverpool, 22 June

Baiting the public: sometimes it’s the only sensible thing to do. OK, Parquet Courts’ rickety racket isn’t exactly disappointing The Kazimier tonight, but the summer heat seems to have rendered a Sunday evening crowd somewhat restrained. Still, some textbook so-glad-to-be-in-this-towns later, Sean Yeaton takes to teasing the huddled attendees with mischievous fibs about their city’s musical heritage: “The Rolling Stones! They were from here, right?” Before long, they’re all at it (“Oh duh! Kraftwerk, obviously!” “Korn! That’s a good one. You should be proud of them”) – a lesser band might make a lackadaisical mess of such daftness, and yet this Brooklyn quartet only inspire the dancefloor to become more excitably fierce, as the love in the room builds slowly towards climax. Their shonky charm wins all.

The songs help, of course. Jumbles of wracked melody, interspersed with the sort of wry observations you’d expect from stoners who’ve hung out in way too many DIY arts spaces. There are flashes of Swell Maps, The Fall and Jonathan Richman. Guitar solos sit astride spindly rhythms like novice bullriders; constantly thrown off but gloriously, triumphantly so. New album Sunbathing Animal isn’t so much a refinement of their ludicrous imaginations as a clever development – the ghost of Pavement still stalks raggedy punkers like Bodies Made Of, but never before have they embraced slacker sprawls like Instant Disassembly, deliriously enlivened by Austin Brown’s total absorption in the atonal noise that ensues when beer bottles meet guitar strings. Light Up Gold II stirs the moshpit into an ecstatic frenzy, as crowdsurfers collide at all angles and sweat begins to drip from the venue ceiling. Compelling evidence that even the best gags ain’t got nuthin’ on a damn good tune. Their influences are familiar and well-worn, but Parquet Courts’ indomitable spirit feels wonderfully untamed: masters of their craft indeed.