Wednesday, October 05, 2005

AYE CAPTAIN!: The Decemberists In Concert

The Decemberists – Webster Hall – New York, NY – October 4, 2005

Colin Meloy is the most unlikely frontman in music today. The literary, articulate, creative writing master’s guy with his bushy hair and glasses (yes he has the Rivers Cuomo look) with his unnervingly off-key yet on-target frail voice does not seem like the kind of guy who gets animated on stage. But after the crowd surfing, the taking of some audience member’s cellphone for his own use, and the ability to get the packed crowd to all sit down in the stifling heat of Webster Hall, all indicate that Cap’n Meloy has a few tricks up his sleeve. In true Decemberists fashion, all these antics take on a sense of the theatrical, especially when accompanied by props and quirky outfits. Summoning David Byrne as much as Bob Dylan and Wes Anderson, Meloy meshes it all together for one unique brand of leadership. Portland’s Decemberists, one of the current vanguards of indie-pop, take full advantage of Meloy’s musings – love and the human spirit, generally set in Marine and Sea-themed stories. The lush, gorgeous music of the Decemberists, Celtic aura always hinting at a folk-pop sound, is as unique as the frontman. The Decemberists are a polished, professional band but they are far from droll or by-the-book. The ability of the band to surprise in the midst of the polish is their trade. Even after rollicking renditions of “July, July” and “Sixteen Military Wives”, the Decemberists defy expectations and take it to the next level: Meloy crowd surfing to “Hava Nagila” and then making everyone sit (including the band) to the tune of “Smoke on the Water”, all in the same polka song. You are not going to find this anywhere. Special guest John Wesley Harding was a welcome treat, just a little bit of icing on the cake that is the Decemberists’ practicing their craft.

A+

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4 Comments:

At October 5, 2005 at 4:04:00 PM EDT, Anonymous Anonymous said...

hi - would you mind posting what time they went on? I'm going tonight and am caught between going too late and too early... thank you!

 
At October 5, 2005 at 4:26:00 PM EDT, Blogger Elwood D. Pennypacker said...

I got there about 9:30 and the opening act was on their last song. The Decemberists went on stage about 10:05, 10:10. I'd get there at 9 if I were you. And may I just take this opportunity to say Webster Hall sucks. Worst venue I have ever been to, which is a shame because it is a gorgeous looking old place. Because the place is used mostly as a danceclub, it was horrible: 5 dollars for a bottle of water and no air conditioning. What a waste.

 
At October 5, 2005 at 7:16:00 PM EDT, Anonymous Anonymous said...

thank you, much appreciated! yes, i've heard bad things about WH. Last time I saw a band there was Karen Black, on Halloween, about 10 years ago, a different story....

 
At November 5, 2005 at 7:24:00 AM EST, Anonymous Anonymous said...

GROW IT YOURSELF!

 

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