Let me just start out by saying that this show was COMPLETELY AMAZING! First: an amazing set with Japanese laterns and a huge landscape drawing of a Japanese village. Second: The band was dressed like ninjas (yes, ninjas). Third: Colin Meloy used the word "ninjery." Fourth: Halloween Costume Contest (a chimbley sweep won it). Fifth: Encore featuring R.E.M. songs and what I think is the Perfect Crime 1.



This was one of my favorite shows of all time. The volume of the music was perfect and they had a violin, viola, cello, double bass, and a bajillion other instruments. They played my first Decemberists song, "Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect" and they also played "Red Right Ankle", "Sixteen Military Wives" and of course most of the songs from the Crane Wife. Their live versions were at times better than the studio versions. The added string parts gave me chills. It was basically everything a Decemberists fan wanted (except maybe "the Mariner's Revenge," but hey, they jammed out to some of my favorite R.E.M. songs like "Cuyahoga" and "Superman"). I was also amazing with everyone dressed up in costumes for Halloween. When they played "Shankill Butchers" a guy dressed up like a butcher was waving his cleaver in the air. They brought up all the contestants on stage and it was just such a good time. Also, I saw Mr. Meloy walking down the street before the concert, only adding to my concert experience.

Long story short: I love the Decemberists and they are awesome live. The end.

Look at our Big Huge Decemberists post (but only streaming works right now...which sucks)

BUT YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THESE!

MP3: The Decemberists - Shankill Butchers
MP3: The Decemberists - Culling the Fold
MP3: The Decemberists - After the Bombs
MP3: The Decemberists - Red Right Ankle

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