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The Decemberists live review |
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Written by SHAWN FEAKINS
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Friday, 06 May 2005 |
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An elephant cries plaintively in the background as a drumbeat stomps out a procession of royalty. It's hardly a Bollywood flick; instead it's the opening soundscape for the Decemberists, a band that manages to take the lyricism of Robyn Hitchcock, the wit of Morrissey, and the nasal whine of They Might Be Giants and throw it together to create a sound that is authentically unique.
Eccentricity not packaged within a hair dye container is often frowned upon in music nowadays, which is why perhaps the sold out April 7 show at the Metro was so cathartic for the packed and bouncing crowd. One wouldn't think that a band that enjoys singing about chimney sweeps, gymnasts, spies, pirates, and soldiers at war would be able to move a throng of people to joyfully do the Snoopy Dance, but the Decemberists projected an energy that was infectious to even the casual listener.
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| The Decemberists |
 Entertainment
 Art
Metro
Chicago, Ill.
April 7, 2005
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After the pounding opening of "The Infanta," the band launched into the popular "July, July!" from their 2003 release "Castaways and Cutouts." The band enthusiastically alternated between such restrained numbers as "The Gymnast, High Above the Ground" and upbeat bounce of paralyzed soccer players in "The Sporting Life." Dressed in grey military coats and looking like mod soldiers, the band laughed and joked amongst themselves and the audience as well - a picture of a group of friends having the time of their lives.
Colin Meloy's lyrics are notoriously literary and complex, telling stories that contrast the confessional lyrics common among other songwriters. Most bands wouldn't be brave enough to use words like "phalanx," "palanquin," or "parapets" in one song, let alone name their album "Picaresque" (meaning a story of a lovable rogue going on a series of adventures), but the casualness of the band with the audience and their utter lack of pretense keeps the music from being obtuse. The band ended the show with the rocking sea shanty "The Mariner's Revenge Song," directing the entire crowd in a primal scream as they were swallowed by a giant whale.
The encore did manage to deflate some of the crowd's enthusiasm, however, as Colin played the quiet "Red Right Ankle" which led into "The Tain," their sprawling Black Sabbath-esque epic song version of a Celtic mythological poem. But, as Colin Meloy said right off the bat as he walked out for the encore, "I'm going to play songs that I like instead of what you want us to play if that's okay." Given that quirky individuality is exactly what the fans love about the Decemberists, it's hard to fault them for the decision. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
