You wanna talk live music? Let’s talk live music. The Decemberists rock. I don’t know if it is the Phoenix Concert Theater, or the the tech guys, or the band, but, jeebes, the show was ridiculously good. Best sounding show I have ever seen, hands down. A strong claim I know, but I believe in the words I type.
The opening act was less than stellar. Maybe it’s because I was in a rock out mood, or maybe they really were that transparent. It was a guy with a guitar, a guy on a bass, and a girl playing those hand drums.They were so quiet, and left nothing to the imagination. I enjoy single guitar singer/songwriter stuff, but this guy was lame; almost monotonous. They tried to jazz it up by pulling out a trombone, but even that sounded sad. I felt like Homer Simpson when Lisa was playing her saxamaphone when Homer was dying — play something a little more lively please.
Perhaps it was for the best. Perhaps this was the plan. Send out a lame band so that the headliners sound better. Even great bands can use a little bit of padding. The Decemberists took the stage to a sold out crowd at the Phoenix, and from the first song, to the last jam, solo low key interludes aside, they filled my ears with their unique blend of 1800′s shanty music, and indie rock. Their songs filled the room so completely, with no distortion. The mix was perfect: the vocals clear, the violin and accordion dancing merrily just beyond, layered below with guitar, organ and drums.
Some show highlights:
- Petra Haden’s requirement to high five the front row whenever she made a joke deemed unacceptably lame by lead singer Colin Meloy. This happened on two occasions. Petra is a fan of the pun, and Colin does not like puns.
- The accordion/organ player seemed to have stage fright for the first 6/7 of the show. She played in the shadows, with virtually just her foot gracing the stage. Then, all of a sudden in the final jam, where all the members play different instruments she is dashing around the stage, screaming and singing. Crazy.
- Petra is a very happy person while playing her violin, and bantering with the band. However when required to sing to changes. When required to sing she loses all expression and emotion, providing the audience with her best impersonation of a brick wall.
- This is the first show I’ve been to where the band asked everyone to sit on the floor — and everyone did. Well, everyone crouched. It’s interesting to witness crowd mentality, and conformity. If most of the crowd crouches you have to crouch, cause you can’t be the one guy that doesn’t. One guy tried, and he was regaled with witty, therapy inducing, heckles from the stage — much to the enjoyment of the audience. The Germans call it Schadenfreude – that guilty pleasure we take in the misfortunes of others.
If you like The Decembersits on album, go see them live. You owe it to yourself. The layers they add to the live show are emence, and must be witnessed. The only negative I can draw is that you may appreciate the albums less after seeing them in all their live glory. The albums that once sounded great now lack the improvisation and extra notes (provided by violin and accordion) seen in concert. It’s a small price to pay to have your being infused with one of the most original indie rock bands on tour today.
Update | Be sure to check out this tab website, as it has all of The Decemberists songs. Also check out the other bands, it’s a small but complete list.
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