Two days of Decemberists! After a disappointing cancellation a month earlier, the Decemberists returned to Vancouver to make up those dates. And make up they did! To call them a dramatic and entertaining band would be an understatement if anything. The two shows were remarkably similar, albeit with a slightly different set list (unless I managed to get THAT drunk that I didn't realize it, they didn't play "Crane Wife" at the second show, which I was a bit disappointed in, but there was much else that was great so no matter). The band was announced to the stage by a barky voice recording, and off they went in front of a gorgeous Japanese-woodcut inspired backdrop ( see album artwork), complete with a crane and a row of big red paper lanterns. The violinist we had seen earlier in the evening playing with her other project, Talk Demonic. Talk Demonic was actually a really nice suprise. Not that I'd expect the Decemberists to not have a quality supporting act or anything. But TD was what I keep describing to people as a weird cross between Murder By Death and The Frames. No vocals, just the violin on one side and keys on the other, occasionally blanketed by recorded guitars or other varying instruments. The strings were vicious yet airy. Quite remarkable.







Anyhow, back to the headliners. They played lots of material off their latest album, and threw in a lot of classic gems as well for the fans to chew on. Lead singer Colin Meloy apologized profusely and repeatedly for cancelling the shows before (reason was Meloy had fallen ill). And the people cheered. rue to form, Meloy got the audience involved in the show itself. He launched his guitar into the crowd at one point for people to fondle/play, and stomped and clapped around the stage urging people to join in. He grabbed up a cel phone from someone in the audience and sang into it for a while. He divided the room in two parts (a surprisingly obedient crowd making a neat open line down the middle, which a couple smart people took advantage of by walking easily into the front row) and had them literally row at each other. Snarling, shaking fists, and then doing round robin sing-alongs to try and outdo each other "la dee da dee da dee dadeedadeedaaaaaa." Fantastic.







The music too - performed with such vigour, talent, and warmth. The music is sparkly. The instruments so alive - accordians, strings, keys, everything just layered up so gorgeously. You really feel like you're a part of some sort of little community at a Decemberists show. Indeed I felt overjoyed both nights after having watched them. Infectious happiness. Go see 'em.

Elsewhere

By Andy Scheffler
Photos : Andy Scheffler
Published : January, 2007.