(no subject)
Okay, the Decemberists can't make everything better, but they do contain special magic happy-making abilities. And so.
Honestly, now that they've played with a full orchestra (in this case, the Mann Music Center's orchestra), they are just gonna have to tour that way from now on. I see no way around it. *shakes head firmly* It's pretty much orgasmic, it's so good. The sound was MASSIVE... and yet also delicate at times... rounding out the already full and rich song arrangements beyond imagination.
The orchestra addition allowed them to do a weighty handful of their more epic tunes, since those obviously lend themselves to orchestral arrangement better than the boppy little straight-up indie numbers (although they attacked those with orchestration too, hee). So they opened with "The Crane Wife 1 & 2" in all its lush glory. Then we got (in no particular order because, damn, my memory... I mean, damn my memory) "The Infanta," "Odalisque" (squee!), "The Bagman's Gambit" and "The Tain" (complete with John Moen's patented silly shuffley dancing while playing the melodica, Moen playing peekaboo with Jenny, and Colin switching to drums), as well as "Los Angeles, I'm Yours" and "We Both Go Down Together." "I Was Meant For The Stage" finished out the main set, with obligatory collapsing of all band members, except Moen (because you try playing drums from the floor), onto the stage... culminating in Colin tearing all the strings from his acoustic guitar. Such dorks, such lovable dorks. ♥
There were a few band-only songs in between this as well, like "The Perfect Crime #2" (and maybe "O Valencia," can't remember).
For the encore, Colin came out first and did, err, the baby song ("Weird and Wonderful"? don't know if this has an official title yet), then the rest of the band filtered out and the boys had a pow wow to discuss the next song while Jenny strapped on her accordion and commentated cutely from the side. Then... (to paraphrase Jenny's own words) we were privy to a new song! It was haunting and rather Western-y (what with Funk's pedal steel) and beautiful, and I have no idea what it's called. But. NEW SONG! *squeeee*
I think almost everyone was kind of expecting a big finish, maybe "The Mariner's Revenge Song" or somesuch, but they left the stage after that, and the houselights cut off our clamoring for a second encore but quick. Ah well, a slightly low-key ending, but nothing to be disappointed in. All in all, a brilliant concert.
Not much other chatter from the band through the 90+ minute show, except Colin recommending seersucker as a fabric. Heh. Speaking of fabric, everyone was decked out in whites and creams and pastels like they were ready for a Sunday picnic, with the best of all being Funk, who wore deep coral trousers, a baby blue jacket and a blue and pink tie over his linen shirt. If he wasn't such a fantastic instrumentalist, you could love him just for his quirkiness alone.
Oh, and we had awesome seats. Fourth row, practically dead center. I think it's the first time I've seen them and had a perfect view of everybody in the band. Hurray for the Decemberists and their non-Ticketbastard tickets!
Also, snagged me some merchandise. I picked up their limited edition tour poster (which, surprising, was not designed by Colin's S.O. Carson, but seems to be done in the same old timey spirit as her illustrations) and the Burn To Shine 3 dvd, which... well, lemme just type up what it says on the back:
The city of Portland, Oregon sets the stage for the third installment of Burn to Shine. Chris Funk of the Decemberists brings together 12 of his favorite Portland bands to perform in a house that is about to be burned to the ground.
Dude. The Decemberists, Sleater-Kinney, the Shins, the Gossip, Quasi, Mirah and more. This was from 2005... how is it I never heard of this before? I suck.
Also notable: my friend Jaime and I being way too awed by the presence of a restaurant and decent food and drink stands at the top of the hill at the Mann. I know, exciting, right? But neither of us had noticed them before. They had one called Wrapsody (har) which, had it not been too hot and muggy to eat, would have been a nice stand to grab dinner at. Also, lovely view of the Philly skyline from up there. And, WTF, the city's building another skyscraper?
When I got home, I found out I was outbid on a bottle of Midway. Eh, I know it's trivial, but it was the first time in ages I actually bid on something on eBay (usually just go after the "buy it now" items), and I was rather hoping.... Screw it. The Decemberists trump stinky old BPAL.
Hmm. I was just amusing myself with the animations on the Decemberists' official site, and contemplating what a fabulous tattoo the record player+lotus (I think it's a lotus, err... under the "discography" link) would make.
Unrelated: Here's an interesting post that's one part analysis of past HP books and one part speculation for The Deathly Hallows:
Neville Longbottom and the Hanging Plot Threads.
Yeah, it focuses on Neville (though deals with the main plot of Harry, Voldemort, et. al.)-I'm sure you're all agape with shock. ;P
This has been the first not-utterly-shitty day in over a week. If only it wasn't around 2 a.m. and, by all means, over.
Honestly, now that they've played with a full orchestra (in this case, the Mann Music Center's orchestra), they are just gonna have to tour that way from now on. I see no way around it. *shakes head firmly* It's pretty much orgasmic, it's so good. The sound was MASSIVE... and yet also delicate at times... rounding out the already full and rich song arrangements beyond imagination.
The orchestra addition allowed them to do a weighty handful of their more epic tunes, since those obviously lend themselves to orchestral arrangement better than the boppy little straight-up indie numbers (although they attacked those with orchestration too, hee). So they opened with "The Crane Wife 1 & 2" in all its lush glory. Then we got (in no particular order because, damn, my memory... I mean, damn my memory) "The Infanta," "Odalisque" (squee!), "The Bagman's Gambit" and "The Tain" (complete with John Moen's patented silly shuffley dancing while playing the melodica, Moen playing peekaboo with Jenny, and Colin switching to drums), as well as "Los Angeles, I'm Yours" and "We Both Go Down Together." "I Was Meant For The Stage" finished out the main set, with obligatory collapsing of all band members, except Moen (because you try playing drums from the floor), onto the stage... culminating in Colin tearing all the strings from his acoustic guitar. Such dorks, such lovable dorks. ♥
There were a few band-only songs in between this as well, like "The Perfect Crime #2" (and maybe "O Valencia," can't remember).
For the encore, Colin came out first and did, err, the baby song ("Weird and Wonderful"? don't know if this has an official title yet), then the rest of the band filtered out and the boys had a pow wow to discuss the next song while Jenny strapped on her accordion and commentated cutely from the side. Then... (to paraphrase Jenny's own words) we were privy to a new song! It was haunting and rather Western-y (what with Funk's pedal steel) and beautiful, and I have no idea what it's called. But. NEW SONG! *squeeee*
I think almost everyone was kind of expecting a big finish, maybe "The Mariner's Revenge Song" or somesuch, but they left the stage after that, and the houselights cut off our clamoring for a second encore but quick. Ah well, a slightly low-key ending, but nothing to be disappointed in. All in all, a brilliant concert.
Not much other chatter from the band through the 90+ minute show, except Colin recommending seersucker as a fabric. Heh. Speaking of fabric, everyone was decked out in whites and creams and pastels like they were ready for a Sunday picnic, with the best of all being Funk, who wore deep coral trousers, a baby blue jacket and a blue and pink tie over his linen shirt. If he wasn't such a fantastic instrumentalist, you could love him just for his quirkiness alone.
Oh, and we had awesome seats. Fourth row, practically dead center. I think it's the first time I've seen them and had a perfect view of everybody in the band. Hurray for the Decemberists and their non-Ticketbastard tickets!
Also, snagged me some merchandise. I picked up their limited edition tour poster (which, surprising, was not designed by Colin's S.O. Carson, but seems to be done in the same old timey spirit as her illustrations) and the Burn To Shine 3 dvd, which... well, lemme just type up what it says on the back:
The city of Portland, Oregon sets the stage for the third installment of Burn to Shine. Chris Funk of the Decemberists brings together 12 of his favorite Portland bands to perform in a house that is about to be burned to the ground.
Dude. The Decemberists, Sleater-Kinney, the Shins, the Gossip, Quasi, Mirah and more. This was from 2005... how is it I never heard of this before? I suck.
Also notable: my friend Jaime and I being way too awed by the presence of a restaurant and decent food and drink stands at the top of the hill at the Mann. I know, exciting, right? But neither of us had noticed them before. They had one called Wrapsody (har) which, had it not been too hot and muggy to eat, would have been a nice stand to grab dinner at. Also, lovely view of the Philly skyline from up there. And, WTF, the city's building another skyscraper?
When I got home, I found out I was outbid on a bottle of Midway. Eh, I know it's trivial, but it was the first time in ages I actually bid on something on eBay (usually just go after the "buy it now" items), and I was rather hoping.... Screw it. The Decemberists trump stinky old BPAL.
Hmm. I was just amusing myself with the animations on the Decemberists' official site, and contemplating what a fabulous tattoo the record player+lotus (I think it's a lotus, err... under the "discography" link) would make.
Unrelated: Here's an interesting post that's one part analysis of past HP books and one part speculation for The Deathly Hallows:
Neville Longbottom and the Hanging Plot Threads.
Yeah, it focuses on Neville (though deals with the main plot of Harry, Voldemort, et. al.)-I'm sure you're all agape with shock. ;P
This has been the first not-utterly-shitty day in over a week. If only it wasn't around 2 a.m. and, by all means, over.